Agriculture, forestry and rural areas

Agriculture and forestry provide food, feed and non-food products to meet the demands of a wide range of industries and consumers, under a variety of geographical and socio-economic conditions. They also provide social and environmental benefits and play an important role in the developing rural areas, improving quality of life, and creating jobs.

World population growth, hunger, obesity and evolving consumer demands put pressure on agricultural production to improve food and nutrition security globally. Simultaneously, farming and food systems must be resilient against the challenges of finite resources, environmental degradation, climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

Transitions require locally adapted solutions that both improve the economic viability and social conditions of farming, enable generational renewal and contribute to the development, resilience and attractiveness of rural areas.

Research and innovation is critically important to develop and upscale knowledge, practices, technological and social innovations, policies and governance that will enable transitions towards sustainable farming systems and rural communities.

EU agricultural research and innovation is guided by a long-term strategic approach that focuses on creating value from land through sustainable primary production and on enhancing rural innovation.