Agriculture is the economic sector with by far the greatest impact on land and water resources.
More than 1 660 Mha of land, corresponding to more than 10 percent of the world's land area, have been degraded by unsustainable land-use and management practices (human-induced land degradation); more than 60 percent of this degradation occurs on agricultural lands (including cropland and pastureland).
Over the 60-year period between 1964 and 2023, most of the increase in agricultural production was due to intensification – for example, through adoption of improved seeds and agronomic practices, better access to water and more systematic use of fertilizers – while the expansion of agricultural land was limited to just 8 percent.
From 2001 to 2023, total agricultural land area decreased marginally: cropland increased by approximately 78 Mha (a 5 percent increase), while the area for pastures declined by 151 Mha (a 4 percent decrease).
Permanent crops, including oil palm, coffee, tea and other tree crops, increased by 42 percent between 2001 and 2023.
Irrigated land is 3.2 times more productive than rainfed land. In 2022, 22.5 percent of all croplands were irrigated and produced 48 percent of the total economic value of agricultural production. On average, irrigated land yields 76 percent more than rainfed land.
Intensification has made it possible to limit further expansion of agricultural land (in places, even reducing agricultural land) and encroachment on other lands.
Increase in agricultural production, whether through expansion or intensification, has come at a high environmental cost, contributing to a substantial share of GHG emissions and biodiversity loss, degrading land and inland water ecosystems, polluting soils and aquifers, and pushing water withdrawal beyond sustainability limits in an increasing number of regions.
About one-sixth of the global population (i.e. 1.2 billion people) live in agricultural areas (both rural and urban) with severe water constraints. Some 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals are for agriculture.
Further efforts are required to achieve more efficient use of water, and ensure that water withdrawal, whether from surface water or groundwater, takes place within the sustainability limits.
Future agricultural development pathways need to be based on the transformation of agrifoods systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. The additional production required to satisfy the future increase in demand must be realized through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable production systems that address the socioeconomic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. It is essential to consider risks such as those related to human-made or natural disasters, epidemics and conflicts.
