Analysis of the Third SOLAW Report: State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture

The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) report, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is a significant global study on the condition of agricultural land, soil, and water resources. Its third edition has recently been released.

Theme The central theme of this edition is:

¨     “The Capacity for More and Better Production”

¨     This theme focuses on identifying and utilizing the hidden and unused potential within global agricultural systems.

Key Findings of the Report

¨     Current Challenges in Natural Resource Management:In order to meet the demands of a growing global population, Agriculture must produce 50% more food, feed and fibre by 2050 as compared to 2012.Over 1.6 billion hectares or 10% of global land area is degraded, mostly agricultural land.Over 60% of land degradation affects agricultural lands, including croplands and pastures, putting immense pressure on global food systems.

¨     Urban areas have more than doubled between 1992 and 2015, expanding from 33 million hectares to 71 million hectares.This urban growth has consumed 24 million hectares of highly fertile cropland, along with significant forestland and shrubland areas, reducing available productive land.Conflicts and social instability impacted 40% of agricultural land in 2023.With 95% of food produced on land, the combined threats of land degradation, water scarcity and extreme weather pose significant challenges to agrifood systems, livelihoods and biodiversity.

¨     Climate change Impact on agriculture:Climate change intensifies risks to agrifood systems through rising temperatures, altered precipitation, droughts, and floods.Extreme weather causes annual losses of about USD 123 billion which is 5% of global agriculture GDP affecting food production severely.

¨     Environmental Impacts of Agriculture:Agriculture uses one-third of Earth’s land and 72% of freshwater resources, leading to overexploitation.Intensive farming has caused soil depletion, pollution, and loss of biodiversity.64% of agricultural land faces pesticide pollution, impairing resilience to pests and climate impacts.Land degradation affects productivity and water availability, creating a vicious cycle.

Effect

¨     Agricultural Production Trends:From 1964 to 2023, agricultural output rose mainly through intensification, not land expansion.Irrigated croplands are 3.2 times more productive than rainfed lands.Global fertilizer use has increased over four-fold since 1964.Central and Northern America and Southern Europe recorded a net reduction in arable land between 2001 and 2023.

¨     Water Scarcity & Land Degradation:Unsustainable farming and management practices have led to the degradation of 996 Mha of agricultural lands which is equivalent 60% of human-induced land degradation.1.2 billion people or about one-sixth of the global population live in agricultural areas with severe water constraints.

¨     Constraints on Further Expansion:Cropland may increase from 1.6 to 1.9 billion hectares by 2050, still far less than available prime land.Further cropland expansion threatens ecosystems like forests and wetlands, critical for biodiversity and climate.Africa and South America have more expansion scope than Asia, which is near its limits.

¨     Intensification and Yield Gap:Closing the yield gap—the difference between current and potential yields—is key to increasing production sustainably.For example, Sub-Saharan Africa produces only 24% of potential yield on rainfed crops.Sustainable intensification involves adopting adapted crop varieties, improved nutrient and water management, and agroecological practices.