Our Division helps countries to develop sustainable agricultural systems, with the overall aim of increasing crop and grassland production and productivity, improving food security and promoting general economic development . We are also a forum where governments discuss policies and negotiate international agreements . We systematically collect and disseminate information, including through our FAO World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT). We monitor international events that threaten food production, and issue early warnings to alert the international community to potential disasters.

We emphasize the conservation of plant genetic resources and their sustainable utilization, through plant breeding and seed production. We promote integrated crop management with focus on integrated pest management, to protect crops from field to market..

The Division provides technical support for its activities which it undertakes in partnership with countries and with the participation of their farmers, rural communities and people's organizations.