By Faridat Salifu
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, has called for uninterrupted global trade in agricultural inputs and improved fertilizer efficiency, warning that disruptions to key supply routes could intensify food security risks worldwide.
Qu made the remarks on Monday while opening the 181st Session of the FAO Council, scheduled to run from 8 to 12 June, where he stressed that global food systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to overlapping economic, climate and geopolitical shocks.
He warned that any disruption to critical maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, should no longer be viewed as a regional issue, noting that such routes play a central role in the movement of energy products, fertilizers and agricultural inputs essential for global food production.
According to him, restrictions in these supply chains could trigger widespread impacts on production costs, input availability and ultimately crop yields, especially in import-dependent countries.
The FAO Director-General urged countries to maintain open trade in agricultural inputs and avoid restrictive measures that could worsen global supply pressures at a time of already fragile food systems.
He also highlighted the need to improve fertilizer use efficiency through innovation, including soil testing, precision agriculture and the adoption of alternative nutrient solutions to reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers.
Qu further noted that climate variability, including expected El Niño conditions, could compound existing production risks, particularly in regions already facing structural vulnerabilities in agriculture.
FAO said strengthening resilience in global food systems requires coordinated international action to ensure farmers have stable access to inputs, markets and financing.
The organization added that protecting supply chains and improving productivity efficiency are critical to preventing further stress on global food availability and price stability.
Experts say the warning reflects growing concern over how interconnected global trade, energy markets and agricultural input systems have become, with disruptions in one sector quickly affecting food production worldwide.
