How the Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity Threatens National Security

Agricultural biodiversity, or agrobiodiversity, is the foundation of the agricultural systems that feed our world. As agrobiodiversity loss accelerates and food production faces rising global threats, efforts to strengthen agrifood systems with enhanced crop diversity are more urgent than ever.

How does agrobiodiversity loss undermine long-term food security, economic security, and ecological security? What role can genebanks play in protecting and utilizing plant genetic resources to strengthen agrifood systems? And how do these critical assets support sustainable livelihoods in the United States and around the world—now and in the future? 

Please join the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program on Wednesday, June 11 at 4:00pm for a panel discussion moderated by Caitlin Welsh, Director of the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program, featuring Rod Schoonover, CEO and Founder of the Ecological Futures Group, and Gustavo Ferreira, Senior Agricultural Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Officer with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserves, and closing remarks by Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust (The Crop Trust).

The conversation will examine the national and global security implications of agrobiodiversity loss and celebrate the launch of our new digital report, The Nature of Strength: Creating a More Secure Future with Agricultural Biodiversity, led by Zane Swanson, Deputy Director of the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program. Following the event there will be an in-person reception with light refreshments. 

This event is made possible by the generous support of the Crop Trust.