The hidden health crisis: How plant diseases threaten global food security

When we think about global health crises, plant diseases rarely make the headlines. But as climate change accelerates the spread of agricultural pests and diseases worldwide, protecting plant health has become a critical component of ensuring the right to food for all.

Every year, devastating outbreaks quietly unfold across the world's agricultural landscapes. Up to 40 percent of global food crops are lost due to plant pests annually, yet these losses rarely capture public attention the way human pandemics do. This oversight is costly – both economically and in human terms. Trade losses due to plant pests in agricultural products are worth over USD 220 billion annually, while invasive pests incur global economic loss worth at least USD 70 billion.

But the true impact goes far beyond economic statistics. In a world where between 638 and 720 million people may have faced hunger in 2024 – 1 out of 11 people globally, and one out of every five in Africa, plant health emergencies directly threaten the fundamental human right to adequate food.

The One Health connection: Plants, animals, people and environmental health

The interconnection between plant health and human wellbeing exemplifies the One Health approach – an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems, recognizing that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent.

Eighty percent of our diets comes from plants, making plant health a direct determinant of human nutrition. But the connections run deeper. Healthy plants contribute to ecosystem stability, support biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change – all essential components of environmental health that ultimately affect human wellbeing.

Plant diseases also create conditions that increase pandemic risk. Pests have a direct effect on biodiversity conservation, increasing the risks of pandemics. When agricultural systems become unstable due to pest outbreaks, the resulting food insecurity can drive migration and social disruption, creating conditions where zoonotic diseases can more easily emerge and spread.

Climate change: The great accelerator

Climate change is fundamentally altering the plant health landscape. The consequences of natural and human-made activities, especially those associated with climate change, are altering ecosystems and damaging biodiversity while creating new niches for pests to thrive. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are expanding the geographic range of many plant diseases and pests.

Half of all emerging plant diseases are spread through travel and trade, and climate change is accelerating this process. Warmer temperatures allow pests to survive in previously inhospitable regions, while disrupted weather patterns stress plants, making them more vulnerable to disease.

The case of Xylella fastidiosa in Mediterranean olive groves illustrates this challenge. Millions of olive trees in the Mediterranean region have been threatened by this deadly pest, with a 2013 outbreak devastating many trees and greatly reducing olive production in Apulia, southern Italy. This not only affected local food systems but also threatened the livelihoods of countless small producers who depend on olive cultivation.

Beyond pesticides: Sustainable solutions for plant health

The traditional response to plant health challenges has often relied heavily on chemical pesticides, but this approach carries significant risks for human and environmental health. There is growing demand for natural and safer alternative ways of protecting harvests from pests, including biological pest control, rotation of crops, and protection of the natural habitat.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) represents a more sustainable approach that has successfully reduced pesticide use and improved yields, food quality and incomes for millions of farmers. These methods work by enhancing natural ecosystem processes rather than disrupting them.

Indigenous communities offer valuable insights into sustainable plant health management. Indigenous Peoples sustain diverse and unique food systems through rich cultural traditions, including wild plant gathering. Their holistic, resilient practices respect and preserve biodiversity, ensuring harmony in nature and plant health.

A call for global action

Addressing plant health challenges requires coordinated global action. No single country can manage this challenge alone, as demonstrated by the international coordination needed to address Tropical Race 4 in bananas.

The solution lies in strengthening international cooperation, investing in sustainable agricultural practices, and embracing the One Health approach. This means:

• Developing early warning systems for plant health emergencies.
• Investing in research on disease-resistant crop varieties.
• Supporting farmers in adopting integrated pest management practices.
• Protecting and restoring natural habitats that support beneficial organisms.
• Ensuring equitable access to plant health technologies and knowledge.