《2021年世界粮食和农业领域土地及水资源状况》英文报告-82页_10mb

Summary of SOLAW 2021: The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture

Core Content

The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW 2021) report highlights the critical state of global land, soil, and water systems, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable management to ensure food security and environmental resilience. The report underscores that these systems are under increasing pressure due to climate change, human-induced land degradation, and water scarcity, which are worsening the global food crisis.

Main Findings

• Land, soil, and water systems are at breaking point, with agricultural productivity and environmental services increasingly compromised.
• Agricultural intensification is not sustainable, as it leads to high levels of pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and degradation of natural resources.
• Climate change is altering the water cycle, affecting rainfall patterns, evapotranspiration rates, and the suitability of land for crops.
• The global food system is facing severe challenges, with the number of undernourished people increasing from 604 million in 2014 to 768 million in 2020.
• Food demand is projected to rise by 50% by 2050, requiring more efficient and sustainable use of land and water resources.

Key Trends

• Land use patterns are shifting, with a significant decline in land under permanent meadows and pastures and an increase in land under permanent crops.
• Water scarcity is a growing issue, particularly in agricultural sectors, with 70% of freshwater withdrawals already used for irrigation.
• Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, are becoming more frequent and severe, disrupting agricultural production and food supply.
• Agricultural expansion is limited, as most productive land is already in use, and further loss is occurring due to urbanization and land degradation.

Socio-Economic Drivers

• Global demand for food and energy is increasing, putting pressure on land and water resources.
• Landholding is becoming more concentrated, with large commercial farms dominating, while smallholders are increasingly marginalized.
• Access to land and water is constrained, especially for vulnerable populations, and this affects food security and livelihoods.
• The water-food-energy nexus highlights the need for integrated management across sectors to address competing demands and trade-offs.

Challenges and Implications

• Land degradation is a major threat, with 3.2 billion hectares of land affected by human-induced pressures.
• Soil health is deteriorating, due to overuse of chemical inputs, monocropping, and grazing intensification.
• Water stress is widespread, with the agricultural sector being a major contributor to water scarcity.
• Rural and urban communities are disproportionately affected by resource degradation, with limited access to alternative food sources in poorer urban areas.

Responses and Actions

• Inclusive and adaptive land and water governance is essential to ensure equitable access and sustainable management.
• Integrated solutions at all levels must be implemented to reverse land degradation and manage water resources effectively.
• Innovative technologies and management practices can enhance productivity and resilience, especially in rainfed and water-scarce regions.
• Investment in long-term sustainability is crucial, including the redirection of subsidies and funding towards environmental and social gains.
• Climate-smart land management and sustainable soil practices are necessary to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Messages

• Land, soil, and water are interconnected systems that must be managed together to support food security and environmental sustainability.
• Agricultural production is under strain, with diminishing returns and increasing risks due to climate and environmental changes.
• The future of agriculture depends on managing these risks, including adapting to shifting land suitability and water availability.
• Transformation of food systems is necessary, requiring policy, institutional, and technical changes to move away from unsustainable practices.
• Governance and institutional frameworks must be strengthened to ensure that all stakeholders, especially smallholders and marginalized groups, benefit from sustainable development.

Recommendations

• Adopt inclusive governance models that ensure fair distribution and management of land and water resources.
• Scale up integrated solutions that combine technical, institutional, and financial support to address land degradation and water scarcity.
• Promote innovation in technology and management to improve resource efficiency and adapt to climate change.
• Invest in sustainable land and water systems to support long-term food security and environmental resilience.
• Redirect agricultural subsidies to support sustainable practices and environmental protection.

Conclusion

SOLAW 2021 emphasizes the critical need for urgent and coordinated action to safeguard land, soil, and water resources. The report calls for a shift towards sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems that can withstand climate shocks and support resilient livelihoods. With limited room for expansion, the focus must be on improving the efficiency and sustainability of existing systems to meet global food demands and achieve the SDGs.