Global support for producers in the agricultural sector is around $540 billion a year. However, a study released this week by several United Nations (UN) agencies shows that 87% of that money is being misused. 

That's about $470 billion that ends up "distorting prices and causing damage to the environment and society." 

 In this sense, the agencies call for this amount to be better spent, so that the world can achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   

The report entitled "A Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity: Harnessing Agricultural Support to Transform Food Systems" is a joint publication of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Environment Programme, UNEP.  

The study notes that most agricultural subsidies, ($470 billion), consist of incentives such as import tariffs and export subsidies, as well as tax subsidies linked to the production of commodities or commodities. 

The UN agencies' analysis states that this distorts food prices, has a negative impact on people's health, and puts large producers at an advantage over small producers.  

According to the study, last year 811 million people faced chronic hunger and one in three of the planet's inhabitants (2.37 billion) did not have access to adequate food throughout the year.  

The study notes that while most agricultural subsidies have a negative impact, about $110 billion is used to support infrastructure, research and development. 

For FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, the report "is a wake-up call for governments to rethink the way they employ agricultural subsidies and make sure that the incentives are used to transform the agriculture sector." 

The FAO chief believes that redistributing money in a more sustainable direction will contribute to "better nutrition, better production, better environment, and a better life." 

Source: UN NEWS