Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon has spoken about how agroforestry must be scaled up to end hunger and meet the challenges of climate change.

In a message to the Third Global Conference on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security and Climate Change being held in South Africa, Ban said the answer to the interconnected problems of greenhouse gas emissions caused by agriculture and food insecurity lies in climate-smart agriculture.

“Agroforestry and diversifying crops with legumes, for instance, can increase income, enhance soil fertility and help to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ban. “It is urgent to scale up these and other practical measures.”

He spoke in particular about how childhood under-nutrition can be eliminated through sustainable and climate-smart agriculture that benefits smallholders and provides year-round access to nutritious foods.

Ban called on leaders in government, finance, business and civil society to work together on solutions.

The Secretary-General's message to the conference was delivered by David Nabarro, Special Representative for Food Security and Nutrition.

Read the full story: "Climate-smart" agriculture needed to steer food security through changing weather, Ban says