For an official reader-friendly overview of the assessment, please visit
www.greenfacts.org/en/agriculture-iaastd/,
International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development
Washington/London/Nairobi/Delhi, 15 April 2008 - The way the world grows its food will have to
change radically to better serve the poor and hungry if the world is to cope with a growing
population and climate change while avoiding social breakdown and environmental collapse. That
is the message from the report of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and
Technology for Development (IAASTD), a major new report by over 400 scientists which is
launched today.
The assessment was considered by 64 governments at an intergovernmental plenary in
Johannesburg last week.
The authors' brief was to examine hunger, poverty, the environment and equity together.
Professor Robert Watson Director of IAASTD said those on the margins are ill-served by the
present system: "The incentives for science to address the issues that matter to the poor are
weak... the poorest developing countries are net losers under most trade liberalization
scenarios."
Modern agriculture has brought significant increases in food production. But the benefits have
been spread unevenly and have come at an increasingly intolerable price, paid by small-scale
farmers, workers, rural communities and the environment.
It says the willingness of many people to tackle the basics of combining production, social
and environmental goals is marred by "contentious political and economic stances". One of the
IAASTD co-chairs, Dr Hans Herren, explains: "Specifically, this refers to the many OECD member
countries who are deeply opposed to any changes in trade regimes or subsidy systems. Without
reforms here many poorer countries will have a very hard time... "
The report has assessed that the way to meet the challenges lies in putting in place
institutional, economic and legal frameworks that combine productivity with the protection and
conservation of natural resources like soils, water, forests, and biodiversity while meeting
production needs.
In many countries, it says, food is taken for granted, and farmers and farm workers are in
many cases poorly rewarded for acting as stewards of almost a third of the Earth's land.
Investment directed toward securing the public interest in agricultural science, education and
training and extension to farmers has decreased at a time when it is most needed.
The authors have assessed evidence across a wide range of knowledge that is rarely brought
together. They conclude we have little time to lose if we are to change course. Continuing
with current trends would exhaust our resources and put our children's future in jeopardy.
Professor Bob Watson, Director of IAASTD said: "To argue, as we do, that continuing to focus
on production alone will undermine our agricultural capital and leave us with an increasingly
degraded and divided planet is to reiterate an old message. But it is a message that has not
always had resonance in some parts of the world. If those with power are now willing to hear
it, then we may hope for more equitable policies that do take the interests of the poor into
account."
Professor Judi Wakhungu, said "We must cooperate now, because no single institution, no single
nation, no single region, can tackle this issue alone. The time is now."
About the IAASTD
This international assessment addresses how to make better use of agricultural science,
knowledge and technology to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and foster
equitable and sustainable development.
The assessment represents a three-year effort by about 400 experts around the world, working
under the auspices of 30 governments and 30 representatives of civil society. The latter
include non-governmental organizations, producer and consumer groups and international
organizations.
The assessment was sponsored by the United Nations, the World Bank and the Global Environment
Facility, an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries.
Five U.N. agencies were involved: the Food and Agricultural Organization, the U.N. Development
Program, the U.N. Environment Programme, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization and the World Health Organization. Additional individuals, organizations and
governments participated in a peer review process.
For more information, see www.agassessment.org, which includes the opening statement to the
IAATSD meeting in Joahnnesburg last week by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
