The International Day of Plant Health is celebrated all over the world on May 12th. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) established this day. The main motive was to raise global awareness about the crucial role healthy plants play in food security, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
Aim of International Day of Plant Health
The main aim of the International Day of Plant Health is to highlight the vital importance of plant health for a thriving planet. Although, Healthy plants are the foundation of food systems, ecosystems, and economies. Protecting plant health helps ensure food security, reduce poverty, and maintain biodiversity. It is one of the main conditions of maintaining a healthy environment.
Theme
Every year, the International Day of Plant Health focuses on a specific theme to raise awareness and encourage specific actions. In 2024, the theme was “Plant health, safe trade, and digital technology.” The theme of the year 2025: Healthy plant – the most important circle of unified healthcare.
Certainly, Plant health is the basis of food safety and security. It includes providing both human and animal food and health, as well as developing a balanced ecosystem.
This day is a legacy of the International Year of Plant Health, which was held in 2020. Notably, the day encourages everyone to take action to protect plants from pests, diseases, and environmental threats.
40 percent of crops are damaged by plant pests. It hinders food security, damages biodiversity, affects economic development and livelihoods.
Pesticides play an important role in the process of prevention and management of the spread of pests. However, their overuse and mismanagement continue to be a global challenge, as it harms biodiversity and threatens environmental health.
