FAO´s initiative also aims to support small and family farmers reap the full benefits of a global market and ultimately help the transformation of current agri-food systems and the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) are those with unique qualities and special characteristics associated with geographical locations and cultural heritages, which can significantly contribute to ensuring food security and healthy diets, supporting farmers’ livelihoods and economic growth while protecting the environment and biodiversity.

SAPs include all kinds of agricultural products, recognized (or having the potential to be recognized) as symbolic national or local agricultural products, but have not fully benefited from agricultural and rural development programs to the extent of commonly grown staple crops (e.g. rice, wheat, maize, soybean and potato).

‘Today, global food supplies increasingly depend on just a few crops and products. Most agri-food systems have high-input, are resource-intensive and lack integration, optimization and innovation,’ said the Director-General, QU Dongyu, at the launch event.

pgh/Pll/rgh / smp