International Day of Plant Health

Plant Health, Safe Trade and Digital Technology

The UN designated May 12 as the International Day of Plant Health. Humans owe plants for the air they breathe and most of their food. Often, we do not think about contributing to the efforts to keep them healthy. Plant health is increasingly under threat. Climate change is resulting in altered ecosystems. Human actions are not helping either, resulting in the reduction of biodiversity. Another challenge to keeping plants healthy is the presence of plant pests. Eradicating pests is next to impossible; managing them is challenging and time-consuming. Prevention is the way. There is a need to transform agricultural systems to become efficient, resilient, and sustainable. FAO estimates that agricultural production must rise by about 60% to feed the growing population by 2050. About 40% of the people are employed, making it the most significant employment industry in the world. Every plant tells a story of vitality, a saga of life-sustaining life.  

Plants are Life.
80% of the food we eat
and 98% of the oxygen we breathe.

Humans owe plants for the air they breathe and most of their food. Often, we do not think about contributing to the efforts to keep them healthy. The International Day of Plant Health is an annual observation of the UN on May 12. It aims to raise awareness about protecting plant health to improve food security. The discussions at the UN’s International Year of Plant Health in 2020 laid the foundation for the talks for observation of the Day of Plant Health. Zambia took the initiative at the UN, supported by Bolivia, Finland, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tanzania, co-signing the resolution. In March 2022, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution to declare May 12 International Plant Health Day. The observation aims to raise awareness about protecting plant health and biodiversity.  

Protecting Plants is Protecting Life

Plant health is increasingly under threat. Climate change is resulting in altered ecosystems. Human actions are not helping either, resulting in the reduction of biodiversity. Another challenge to keeping plants healthy is the presence of plant pests. Plant Pests and diseases caused by them result in the loss of ~40% of food crops annually. Eradicating pests is next to impossible; managing them is challenging and time-consuming. Prevention is the way. We need to take an ecosystem approach and adopt integrated pest management. An adult ‘Desert Locust’ can consume roughly its weight in food every day. A one square kilometre-sized swarm of Desert Locust could eat the food that ~35000 people food in a day.

Our health and that of our planet depend on the health of our plants.

There is a need for transforming agricultural systems to become efficient, resilient, and sustainable. Reduced use of pesticides and contributed to enhancing the health of seeds, soils, and pollinators. Organic farming will help but require enhanced efforts. Better plants give healthier food. FAO estimates that agricultural production must rise by about 60% to feed the growing population by 2050. About 40% of the people are employed, making it the most significant employment industry in the world. Prioritising plant health is fundamental to achieving the SDS goals, particularly SDG2 (Zero Hunger).  

We must go beyond talking about protecting plants by taking action. To ensure plant health, we must share knowledge and best practices and use advanced technology and resources to develop innovative solutions for plant diseases, invasive alien species and climate change impacts.
 Qu Dongyu, Director-General, FAO

Firm leaves, well-formed root systems, unspoiled fruits, and growth reflect a healthy plant. Every plant tells a story of vitality, a saga of life-sustaining life.  

Healthy Plants mean a Healthy Planet.

Toons: Anusha  
Logs: M Sai Baba
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