FAO Webinar on Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems and food security

Andrey Nikiforov, Associate Professor from the Chair  of International Complex Issues of Nature Use and Environment at MGIMO University, conducted a webinar focused on “Integrated agri-aquaculture systems: nature-like technologies for achievement of food security”.

FAO estimates that fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of 10–12 percent of the world’s population, and at least as many people depend on the sector in part. While the volume of world catches fluctuate at around 90 million tons, the bulk of aquaculture products is steadily on the rise. The growth of this sector amounts to about 6% per year.

Integrated agri-aquaculture systems are defined as the concurrent or sequential linkage between two or more agricultural activities, of which at least one is aquaculture (Integrated livestock-fish farming systems / by D.C. Little and P. Edwards, FAO, 2003).

The advantages of such integrated systems are obvious: rational use of the existing territories and their natural resources; obtaining simultaneously food products of plant and animal origin; preserving biodiversity; maintaining the sustainability of natural systems; stabilization of the hydrological regime of soils.

The development of integrated agri-aquaculture systems is an advantageous and practical way to contribute to the achievement of a number of the Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation and the FAO Information Center at MGIMO University jointly organized the webinar.