When Biodiversity Disappears, Hunger Grows: How the Loss of Nature Threatens Small Farmers Worldwide

Redacción HC
22/06/2023

The global biodiversity crisis is no longer just a matter for conservationists—it is a direct threat to global food security and rural livelihoods. According to a new report from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the accelerating loss of species and ecosystems is undermining the resilience of smallholder farmers, the very people responsible for feeding much of the world’s population.

More than 80% of the world’s poorest people depend on biodiversity to survive, relying on forests, soil organisms, native crops, and pollinators to sustain agriculture and earn a living. Yet this ecological safety net is unraveling. As the report warns, biodiversity loss is eroding the foundation of sustainable food production, pushing vulnerable communities deeper into poverty and hunger.

The Silent Collapse: A Biodiversity Crisis That Hits the Poorest Hardest

A staggering one million species are now at risk of extinction, according to the report, with 31 species lost in the past year alone. This mass extinction is largely driven by human activities—deforestation, pollution, intensive agriculture, and climate change—that are degrading the ecosystems small farmers depend on.

Biodiversity is not just a number or an aesthetic concern. It is the living infrastructure of rural agriculture: the microbes that build fertile soil, the insects that pollinate crops, the trees that regulate water cycles, and the diverse genetic traits that enable crops to withstand disease and drought.

“Biodiversity is the lifeline for smallholder farmers, yet it's vanishing before our eyes,” the IFAD report emphasizes.

Without these natural services, small farms become more exposed to pests, crop failures, and erratic weather—making it harder to adapt to climate change and feed local populations.

From Data to Action: What the Report Reveals

The report combines global biodiversity data, climate models, and case studies from countries like Kenya, where ecosystem restoration has shown tangible benefits for farmers.

One such initiative involved the restoration of degraded forests, which led to increased rainfall capture, better water quality, and improved soil health. As a result, agricultural productivity rose, helping farmers not only grow more but also reduce their vulnerability to drought.

Beyond ecosystem restoration, the report highlights the role of agrobiodiversity—the use of diverse crops and livestock species—to build resilience. Diverse agricultural systems are better at retaining carbon, improving soil fertility, and reducing dependency on chemical inputs.

Investing in Nature is Investing in People

Perhaps the most urgent message in the report is this: Protecting biodiversity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for ending hunger and poverty. The IFAD has committed to allocating 30% of its climate-related investments to biodiversity-enhancing projects in small-scale rural agriculture by 2030.

These projects not only improve ecosystem health but also promote gender equality, empower youth, and support community-based natural resource management.

Concrete policy recommendations include:

• Integrating biodiversity into national agricultural investment plans
• Funding projects that restore and protect ecosystems
• Supporting farmer-led initiatives that conserve native species and traditional knowledge

By prioritizing biodiversity, governments and development agencies can foster resilient farming systems that sustain both people and planet.

A Wake-Up Call for Policymakers and Citizens Alike

While the report focuses on the plight of smallholder farmers, the implications extend to all of us. Biodiversity loss undermines the global food supply, drives climate instability, and increases the risk of pandemics. In short, no one is immune to its consequences.

To prevent further degradation, the report calls for urgency, cooperation, and innovation. This means valuing indigenous knowledge, supporting sustainable land use, and rethinking development to align with ecological limits.

“Restoring biodiversity is not just about saving wildlife. It's about ensuring that communities can farm, eat, and live with dignity,” the report concludes.

Conclusion: Hope Rooted in Diversity

Despite the grim statistics, the report offers a hopeful path forward. Nature-based solutions, particularly those led by rural communities, have already demonstrated their power to reverse damage and rebuild resilience.

If scaled and properly funded, such solutions could become the cornerstone of a new agricultural paradigm—one that respects biodiversity as a key ally in the fight against hunger, poverty, and climate breakdown.

But time is short. The seeds of resilience must be planted now—by policymakers, donors, scientists, and farmers alike—before biodiversity loss becomes irreversible.

Topics of interest

Biodiversity Health