20 February 2015: Speaking at the International Forum on Agriculture and Climate Change, which was organized by the Government of France as the first in a series of events leading up to the December 2015 climate change conference, José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), urged a “paradigm shift” in agriculture. He described today’s predominant model of agricultural production as “not suitable for the new food security challenges of the 21st century.”

Addressing ministers, scientists, farmers and representatives of civil society, Graziano da Silva emphasized that, whereas today the world produces enough food to feed everyone, hunger remains a problem. He observed that the predominant model of production cannot prevent soil degradation and biodiversity loss, calling for review of this model towards food systems that are more sustainable, inclusive and resilient.

Highlighting the role of agriculture in guaranteeing food security, building resilience to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Graziano da Silva cautioned that climate change will not only affect food production but also the availability of food and stability of supplies, making the global market for agricultural products “less predictable and more volatile.” He further underscored the role of soils in helping mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Among new approaches, Graziano da Silva highlighted: climate-smart agriculture, making farming practices more adaptive and resilient to environmental pressures while decreasing farming’s own impacts on the environment; and agro-ecology, an approach that uses ecological theory to study and manage agricultural systems to make them both more productive and better at conserving natural resources. [UN Press Release] [FAO Press Release] [French Agriculture Ministry Press Release]