Crop pests and diseases
- Pests discouraging farming
- Abundancy of farm pests
Nature
Among vertebrate animals, many crop pests are mammals, especially in the order of rodents, and birds. Among invertebrates, certain species of gastropods and a large number of roundworms from the class of nematodes harm crops. The most varied and numerous species of crop pests are arthropods-insects, arachnids (mites), and some species of millipedes and crustaceans (wood lice). Diseases vary from viral, bacterial, and nutritional to fungal, environmental and non-specific.
Incidence
The FAO has estimated that annual worldwide losses done by plant pests and diseases amount to approximately 20-25% of the potential worldwide yield of food crops.
Claim
Crop pests and diseases represent a critical threat to global food security and agricultural sustainability. They devastate yields, increase production costs, and jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. As climate change exacerbates these challenges, the urgency to address this issue intensifies. Ignoring crop pests and diseases not only endangers our food supply but also undermines economic stability and environmental health. We must prioritize research, prevention, and innovative solutions to combat this pressing problem.
Counter-claim
Crop pests and diseases are often overstated as critical issues, diverting attention from more pressing global challenges like climate change and food security. Farmers have developed effective management strategies and resilient crop varieties, rendering the threat of pests and diseases manageable. With advancements in technology and sustainable practices, the focus should shift to innovation and education rather than fear-mongering about pests. In the grand scheme, this topic pales in comparison to the urgent issues facing our planet.
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Reference
Bird, Julio and Maramorosch, Karl: Tropical Diseases of Legumes: papers presented at the Rio Piedras
SDG
