Transitioning to green agriculture requires a fundamental shift in budget priorities, sustainable practices, and consumer behavior, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized at the 4th Agribusiness Development Forum held in Baku
Speaking at the forum, Dmitry Zvyagintsev, a representative of the FAO, detailed a set of key recommendations for achieving environmentally sustainable agriculture. “It is essential to reduce environmentally harmful budget supports and redirect some of those funds towards eco-friendly measures,” he stated. Zvyagintsev underscored the importance of aligning agricultural policies with agro-climatic conditions and introducing clear environmental requirements to help farmers move toward greener practices.
He also stressed the need for greater investment in research and development. “We want farmers to adopt sustainable land management practices and use climate-resilient seeds and animal breeds,” he noted.
Another crucial element of the transition, according to Zvyagintsev, involves consumer-oriented measures. “Promoting sustainable dietary choices at the retail level will influence which products are in demand and, consequently, which products farmers grow,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of reducing food loss and waste as part of the green agriculture agenda.
While agro-systems deliver significant benefits to society, Zvyagintsev warned that they also carry considerable environmental costs. “These negative impacts primarily affect water, soil, nitrogen, and the climate,” he said.
Citing FAO data, he revealed that global food systems generate approximately $10 trillion annually in hidden costs, with around $3 trillion stemming from countries in the region. “In our region, unhealthy diets account for the largest share of hidden costs, followed by environmental costs related to climate, water, soil, and nitrogen,” he explained.
Zvyagintsev concluded by urging policymakers to consider these figures in ministerial discussions, particularly when allocating budget support and planning green transition strategies for farmers.
France’s highest court upheld former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing on Wednesday, marking another legal set...
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called for restraint and respect for international law as tensions between Pakistan a...
French police have arrested four people, two of them Russian nationals, on suspicion of spying for a foreign power, the Paris prosecutor said on Wedne...
Russia successfully launched a military satellite into space on Wednesday (November 26) from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, marking another milestone in the...
A massive fire tore through one of Dhaka’s largest slums on Tuesday evening, leaving thousands of people homeless and turning rows of tin-roofed sha...
Russia successfully launched a military satellite into space on Wednesday (November 26) from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, marking another milestone in the country's expanding space capabilities.
Latest reports from Hong Kong authorities puts the current death toll of the Tai Po fire at 13 with the number of injured people revised down from 28 to 15 as the blaze continues.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called for restraint and respect for international law as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate yet again.
Peace in Ukraine seems to be closer than ever. U.S. President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace proposal could pave the way for an end to the hostilities – or at least a temporary freeze – in the Eastern European nation.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 12,000 years, before halting on Monday, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center.
Venezuela says it has deployed a range of weapons, including decades-old Russian-made equipment, and plans to mount guerrilla-style resistance in the event of an air or ground assault particularly from the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump has told his advisers that he plans to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro according to Axios, as Washington designated him as the head of a terrorist organisation on Monday. A claim Maduro denies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has once again expressed strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, condemning foreign interference and criticising U.S. actions in the region.
The United States is preparing to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
Cameras from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Saturday (22 November) captured Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewing flowing lava from its crater in its latest eruption.
COP30 ended in Brazil with a compromise agreement that expands financial support for countries facing the sharpest climate impacts, after tense negotiations stretched beyond the summit’s deadline.
Brazil pushed through a compromise climate deal at COP30 in Belém, boosting funding for developing nations but sidestepping any mention of fossil fuels — the very drivers of global warming.
The 2025 Yangtze Culture Forum opened on Friday at the Yangtze International Conference Centre in Nanjing, bringing together senior officials, scholars, and representatives from international river cities.
Talks at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil were disrupted on Thursday (20 November) after a fire broke out in the venue, triggering an evacuation just as negotiators were hunkering down to try to land a deal to strengthen international climate efforts.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment