War Damage to Agriculture and Food Security

Agriculture serves as the backbone of many economies, particularly in developing nations where over 60% of the population depends on farming for their livelihoods (World Bank, 2023). In rural communities, agriculture is not merely an economic activity, it is a lifeline. It sustains household incomes, ensures food security, supports local markets, and preserves cultural traditions passed down through generations. Fields, livestock, and harvests are central not only to nutrition and survival but to the social fabric of entire communities. However, when conflict or war erupts, agricultural systems are among the first and most deeply affected sectors, often suffering immediate devastation and long-term collapse.

Armed conflict disrupts every stage of food production. Crops go unplanted or unharvested due to displacement and insecurity. Supply chains break down, leaving markets empty and prices unstable. Farm infrastructures such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and roads are frequently damaged or destroyed. Farmers lose access to seeds, fertilizers, and fuel, while the risk of land mines or contamination makes working the land dangerous or impossible. In many conflict zones, livestock are looted, fields are scorched, and water sources are polluted, compounding food shortages and rural poverty.

The impacts are not only physical but psychological and economic. Generations of agricultural knowledge can be lost when families flee. Rural youth are often forced to abandon farming for survival work in urban areas or refugee camps, leading to a breakdown in the continuity of rural life. Recovery is slow and fragile, often requiring not just reconstruction but reconciliation and rebuilding trust within fractured communities. Protecting agriculture in times of conflict is therefore not just about food, it’s about safeguarding livelihoods, restoring dignity, and planting the seeds of peace in the most disrupted regions of the world.

The Immediate Toll: How Conflict Ravages Agriculture

Conflict takes a devastating toll on agriculture, disrupting every stage of the food production system from planting and harvesting to storage, transport, and distribution. In regions like Ukraine, a key global breadbasket, an estimated 30% of agricultural land has been rendered inaccessible or contaminated by military activity (FAO, 2023). Similarly, in Sudan, escalating violence has forced 40% of farmers to abandon their fields (UN OCHA, 2024), leading to a dramatic drop in food production and rural income.

One of the most immediate impacts of war is the widespread destruction of agricultural infrastructure. Farmlands often become battlefields, riddled with bomb craters, landmines, and heavy machinery that degrade as much as 25% of arable land in conflict zones (ICRC, 2023). In Yemen, the collapse of irrigation systems 70% of which have been damaged that crippled the country’s ability to grow food (World Food Program, 2024). In Syria, the destruction of 50% of grain silos has led to post-harvest losses reaching 40% (FAO, 2023), while energy shortages leave farms unable to operate essential machinery.

Conflict also triggers mass displacement, leading to labor shortages in rural areas. With over 100 million people forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR, 2023), farming communities lose not only their workforce but also generations of agroecological knowledge. In Myanmar, 60% of farming households report severe labor shortages due to conflict-driven migration (IFPRI, 2024).

Environmental degradation adds another layer of crisis. In Iraq, oil spills and chemical warfare have left 20% of farmland unusable (UNEP, 2023). In Colombia, armed groups have cleared forests to grow illicit crops, accelerating soil erosion and desertification (Global Witness, 2024). Conflict zones also experience dramatic biodiversity loss, pollinators and native species vanish, cutting yields by up to 30% (IPBES, 2023). War, in short, unravels the very foundations of food security.

The Ripple Effects: Hunger, Poverty, and Instability

When agriculture collapses under the weight of conflict, the effects extend far beyond the farm. Food prices in conflict zones surge by an average of 50%, severely reducing access to basic staples and driving millions into food insecurity (World Bank, 2024). In 2024 alone, an estimated 44 million people faced acute hunger due to the combined impacts of violence and disrupted food systems (Global Report on Food Crises, 2024). In South Sudan, for example, local food production has nearly ceased, forcing the country to import 90% of its food, making it highly vulnerable to global price shocks and supply chain disruptions (WFP, 2023). Meanwhile, 75% of Syrian farmers report falling into debt after losing their crops, livestock, and access to markets, creating cycles of poverty that persist long after the fighting stops (FAO, 2024). Countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Afghanistan are now facing emergency hunger levels, with famine risks compounded by climate extremes and prolonged instability (IPC, 2024).

Recovery, where it begins at all, is painfully slow. In countries like Cambodia and Laos, 40% of agricultural land remains unusable decades after conflict due to landmines and unexploded ordnance (MAG, 2023). Even when peace returns, farmers often lack the seeds, tools, and financial capital needed to restart production. In Mozambique, only 10% of farmers had regained pre-war productivity after five years of recovery (IFAD, 2023). Legal barriers and unresolved land disputes further hinder recovery, 30% of displaced Colombian farmers have been unable to reclaim their land (Human Rights Watch, 2024). Climate change adds another layer of difficulty: droughts, floods, and erratic weather reduce yields by an additional 20% in fragile states, making recovery even more precarious (IPCC, 2024). The road from war to food security is long, uncertain, and urgently in need of coordinated global support.

Pathways to Rehabilitation

Rebuilding agriculture in conflict-affected regions requires more than short-term humanitarian aid. While emergency food relief is essential in times of crisis, sustainable recovery depends on long-term investment in agroecology, rural infrastructure, and farmer capacity-building. Humanitarian responses often lack the scope to address systemic damage caused by war, such as degraded land, destroyed irrigation systems, and shattered market networks. According to the World Bank (2024), without strategic investments, farming communities risk remaining locked in cycles of dependency and underdevelopment.

In Ukraine, where vast tracts of farmland were rendered unusable by mines and shelling, the "Grain from Ruins" initiative offers a promising example of coordinated recovery. With support from the European Union, the program has successfully determined and rehabilitated 15% of damaged agricultural land, enabling farmers to resume production in previously inaccessible areas (EU Commission, 2024). Such initiatives not only restore food systems but also create jobs and strengthen national economies recovering from war.

Technology also plays a pivotal role in post-conflict agricultural recovery. In Iraq and Syria, digital tools like satellite mapping and drone imaging are being used to assess damage, identify safe zones, and prioritize land for rehabilitation (UNDP, 2023). These tools help guide efficient resource allocation and reduce the risks associated with working in post-war environments.

Moreover, investing in farmer training and climate-resilient practices ensures that recovery efforts are both effective and sustainable. Programs focused on agroecology, water conservation, and local seed systems empower communities to rebuild in ways that are environmentally sound and economically viable. Rehabilitation must be holistic, linking physical reconstruction with social, environmental, and economic renewal. Only then can war-torn agricultural systems transform from zones of crisis into pillars of resilience and peace.

Conclusion

War inflicts far-reaching damage on agricultural systems, eroding not only physical infrastructure but also the social, economic, and environmental foundations of food security. From scorched fields and contaminated water sources to displaced farmers and decimated rural livelihoods, conflict disrupts every aspect of food production. As agricultural systems collapse, hunger, poverty, and instability intensify, fueling humanitarian crises and perpetuating cycles of underdevelopment. The psychological toll and loss of generational farming knowledge further delay recovery, weakening rural resilience long after hostilities end.

Recovery is possible but complex. It requires more than emergency aid; it demands sustained investment in rebuilding agricultural infrastructure, restoring land, and empowering communities through education, technology, and inclusive policies. Success stories like Ukraine’s “Grain from Ruins” initiative show that with coordinated support, even severely damaged farming systems can recover. Tools like satellite mapping, drone technology, and climate-resilient farming practices can guide efficient and safe rehabilitation efforts.

Ultimately, protecting agriculture during conflict and prioritizing its restoration in peacebuilding agendas is critical. Reviving agriculture is not just about feeding people, it is about restoring dignity, economic stability, and hope. In a world increasingly shaped by conflict and climate change, resilient agricultural systems are essential pillars for lasting peace and sustainable development.

References: FAO; World Bank; UN OCHA; ICRC; Global Report on Food Crises; UNDP; UNHCR; IFPRI; UNEP; Global Witness; IPBES; WFP; MAG; IPC; Human Rights Watch; IFAD; EU Commission

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Sindh, Pakistan and can be reached at safiarind333@gmail.com

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