By Genevieve Connors and Shobha Shetty
Forests and food are interconnected. As the world accelerates towards a food transition that delivers better, more sustainable outcomes for people and the planet, we must recognize that forests, woodlands, and landscapes are critical to this transition, but also to wider sustainable development goals. Investments in forests are investments in local communities, national economies, and our planet. We spoke to two of our forestry and agriculture experts on the topic.
Fact #1: Agriculture and forests are inextricably linked
Food is produced in many forested areas. In addition, integrating agroforestry practices can enhance soil health by increasing organic matter and nutrient cycling. These practices also create habitats for vital pollinators and supporting overall ecosystem resilience. While agriculture remains a major driver of deforestation, there is plenty of evidence that it can exist in harmony with forested landscapes – and heal, instead of harm, the planet.
As shown in our recent flagship report, Recipe for a Livable Planet, adopting a whole-of-landscape approach can yield significant benefits for countries. For example, reducing the conversion of forests to croplands or pastures and promoting reforestation or agroforestry can significantly cut greenhouse emissions and store carbon in biomass and soils. One-third of the world’s opportunities to reduce agrifood emissions in a cost-effective way relate to land use in middle-income countries.
Fact #2: The forest sector employs tens of millions of people
While it is true that agriculture is a major employer in developing countries, so are forests. At least 33 million people are employed in the forest sector globally, from local plantations or sawmills to global pulp and paper firms. This accounts for about 1% of total global employment across all economic activities, with many millions more employed by the non-timber forest products sector, which includes industries such as medicinal and health products, crafts, and textiles.
Fact #3: Forests are essential sources of food, fuel, and revenue
Forests provide a wealth of food for human beings and are a lifeline for the poorest and most vulnerable communities that rely on forest ecosystems. For many centuries, indigenous and forest-dwelling communities have relied on forests for food, incorporating roots, plants, fruits, and game into their diets. About 2.6 billion people also use wood fuel for cooking. Forests offer a myriad other opportunities, from wood-fiber packaging that can reduce post-harvest losses to organic animal feeds.
Fact #4: The World Bank invests in forests and landscapes
We know that the health of forests and the health of people are intertwined. In short, when forests flourish, so do people. So we work closely with partners at global, regional, and country levels to make healthy forests a reality for communities. This is particularly true for indigenous people who are highly reliant on forests for food and livelihoods.
One example is PROGREEN, a World Bank-led global partnership supporting countries with the finance, expertise, and knowledge needed to invest in and sustainably manage their forests and landscapes. PROGREEN works in 67 countries at present, including in Ghana where the program supported the development of over 500 community watershed management plans and training of some 53,000 smallholder farmers, 53 percent of whom were women.
Another example is the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR), a $345 million impact program that is boosting agroforestry and sustainable agricultural practices across 27 countries. In China, where the program spans 1.5 million hectares, integrated land management and restoration efforts are beginning to produce tangible benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
The new Global Challenge Program on forests will support climate-smart agricultural intensification so that farmers are able to produce more food for a growing population, while reducing agriculture’s footprint on forests.
Looking ahead, we can support both – producing and consuming food in a way that protects forests and ecosystems. We can use agricultural techniques and practices that create healthier soils and avoid overuse of chemical fertilizers. The good news is there are a range of affordable, proven actions we can take now for food and forests to exist in harmony.
