World food and agriculture: statistical yearbook 2021

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the global food and agricultural landscape, including economic importance, inputs, outputs, factors of production, food security, nutrition, and environmental impacts. It serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, researchers, and the public.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 365 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2021
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

This comprehensive publication provides a thorough analysis of the complex dynamics shaping the global food and agricultural landscape. It offers a synthesized overview of the key factors influencing this vital sector, encompassing economic significance, input utilization, output generation, production factors, their implications for food security and nutrition, as well as their ecological consequences. The Yearbook serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, analysts, and the broader public, seeking insights into the past, present, and future trajectory of food and agriculture.

The economic importance of agricultural activities is a fundamental aspect of the global food and agricultural landscape. Agriculture plays a crucial role in generating employment, income, and economic growth, particularly in developing countries. It provides livelihoods for millions of people and contributes to poverty reduction and food security. The Yearbook presents statistics on the economic value of agricultural production, including crop yields, livestock production, and value-added products. These statistics help policymakers understand the economic impact of agricultural activities and identify areas for investment and policy interventions.

Input utilization is another critical factor in the global food and agricultural landscape. The inputs used in agriculture, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water, are essential for sustaining crop yields and ensuring food security. However, the overuse and misuse of these inputs can have negative environmental consequences, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. The Yearbook provides statistics on input utilization, including the amount of inputs used per unit of agricultural production, the sources of inputs, and the efficiency of input use. These statistics help policymakers identify areas where input use can be optimized to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining food production.

Output generation is another key aspect of the global food and agricultural landscape. Agriculture produces a wide range of food and non-food products, including grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy products, and textiles. The Yearbook presents statistics on output generation, including crop yields, livestock production, and the value of agricultural exports. These statistics help policymakers understand the trends in food production and identify opportunities for trade and investment.

Production factors, such as land, labor, and capital, are essential for agricultural production. The Yearbook provides statistics on production factors, including land availability, labor force the availability, and the cost of capital. These statistics help policymakers understand the constraints and opportunities facing agricultural producers and identify areas where policy interventions can support sustainable agricultural development.

The implications of agricultural activities for food security and nutrition are of paramount importance. Agriculture plays a critical role in providing food for a growing global population, and ensuring that food is safe, nutritious, and accessible is essential for promoting healthy diets and reducing the risk of malnutrition. The Yearbook presents statistics on food security and nutrition, including the number of people affected by hunger and malnutrition, the availability of food, and the nutritional content of food. These statistics help policymakers identify areas where food security and nutrition interventions can be most effective and prioritize resources for addressing these challenges.

The impacts of agricultural activities on the environment are a significant concern. Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution, and these environmental consequences have significant social and economic costs. The Yearbook presents statistics on the environmental impacts of agriculture, including the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated per unit of agricultural production, the extent of deforestation, and the amount of water pollution. These statistics help policymakers identify areas where environmental sustainability can be improved and develop policies and interventions to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

In conclusion, the Yearbook offers a comprehensive synthesis of the major factors at play in the global food and agricultural landscape. It provides a wealth of statistics on economic importance, input utilization, output generation, production factors, food security and nutrition, and environmental impacts. The Yearbook serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, analysts, and the broader the broader public, seeking insights into the past, present, and future trajectory of food and agriculture. By understanding these factors, policymakers can develop effective strategies and interventions to promote sustainable food production, ensure food security, and mitigate the negative environmental consequences of agricultural activities.

Dimension: 300 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789251343326