Crop pests and diseases

Pests discouraging farming
Abundancy of farm pests

Nature

Among vertebrate animals, many crop pests are mammals, especially in the order of rodents, and birds. Among invertebrates, certain species of gastropods and a large number of roundworms from the class of nematodes harm crops. The most varied and numerous species of crop pests are arthropods-insects, arachnids (mites), and some species of millipedes and crustaceans (wood lice). Diseases vary from viral, bacterial, and nutritional to fungal, environmental and non-specific.

Background

The global significance of crop pests and diseases emerged with the spread of agriculture, but their devastating impact gained heightened recognition during events such as the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849) and the Bengal famine (1943), both linked to plant pathogens. Advances in plant pathology and international trade in the 20th century further revealed the transboundary nature of these threats, prompting coordinated surveillance and research efforts to mitigate their persistent and evolving risks to food security worldwide.

Incidence

The FAO has estimated that annual worldwide losses done by plant pests and diseases amount to approximately 20-25% of the potential worldwide yield of food crops.

Claim

Crop pests and diseases are a critical threat to global food security, causing devastating losses for farmers and driving up food prices. Ignoring this issue is reckless, as it endangers livelihoods, economies, and the ability to feed a growing population. Immediate, coordinated action is essential to combat these relentless threats—failure to do so risks widespread hunger and economic instability. This is not a minor problem; it demands urgent attention and resources.

Counter-claim

Frankly, the concern over crop pests and diseases is vastly overstated. Modern agriculture has advanced so much that these issues barely make a dent in food production. With pesticides, biotechnology, and improved farming techniques, farmers can easily manage any minor outbreaks. Worrying about crop pests and diseases is simply unnecessary in today’s world—there are far more pressing problems deserving our attention and resources than this outdated agricultural nuisance.

Crop pests and diseases

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SDG

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