More than half of world’s land poorly managed, threatening food security and biodiversity

A recent United Nations report reveals that more than half of the world's land is being poorly managed, putting global food security and biodiversity at risk. Despite the existence of proven restoration methods, soil quality continues to decline. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) found that 52.5% of assessed regions and subregions are experiencing poor or very poor land management, with only 14% deemed to have good or very good conditions.

This alarming trend threatens 95% of global food production and safeguards 59% of the world's biodiversity. The report warns that the international community must transition from viewing land as a mere resource to be exploited, towards responsible conservation and restoration efforts to prevent a prolonged global crisis. Since the FAO's first assessment in 2015, the global population has risen by around 800 million people, while 80 million hectares of land have been converted for major crops.

Agricultural practices that exacerbate soil erosion, inadequate nutrient management, pollution, and urban expansion have been identified as the primary threats to land quality. Despite the availability of effective restoration techniques, such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and integrating trees into agricultural systems, adoption remains limited.

The main barriers to improving land management are financial constraints and high initial costs faced by farmers, rather than a lack of technical knowledge. The report highlights the urgent need for greater investment and policy support to make sustainable land management more accessible, particularly for resource-constrained farmers.

As diplomats and experts convene for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) on desertification in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the report underscores the critical role of international cooperation in addressing drought and land degradation threats.