Why in news?
The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, focuses on the critical issue of human-induced land degradation and its impact on agricultural productivity, food security, and ecosystem health worldwide. 
 
Key points from the SOFA 2025 report

• Agricultural expansion remains the primary driver of global deforestation, accounting for nearly 90% of forest loss.
• The largest affected populations are concentrated in eastern and southern Asia, including India, which faces some of the highest agricultural yield gaps due to land degradation.
• Around 3.6 million hectares of croplands are abandoned annually, with degradation playing a significant role in these losses.
• The report calls for integrated sustainable land-use and management practices, tailored policies, and regulatory measures such as deforestation controls, incentive-based programs, and linking subsidies to environmental outcomes.

Indian context

• States  like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are significant degradation hotspots.

The report suggests effective practices such as water harvesting, agroecological farming methods (e.g., Zero Budget Natural Farming), afforestation, and sustainable management of water and soil resources to combat degradation and ensure food security.

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