Can green growth address today’s agricultural challenges?

Agriculture is a key part of the social, economic and environmental aspects of people’s lives. It can increase employment, improve nutrition and mitigate climate change effects. It can boost economic growth in many countries. However, evidence shows that economic growth has a positive impact on food security only when it is inclusive.[1].

While growth is necessary to alleviate poverty, it is unlikely that growth will be sustainable in the long run unless it is green and environmentally sound [8]. In other words, green growth requires earth’s natural assets, such as water, land, air, ecosystems etc., to be protected as well as physical and human capital. The rationale behind this is that humanity’s well-being is dependent on earth’s natural capital. Green growth aims to make economic growth more resource-efficient, cleaner and more resilient without slowing the process in the meantime.