Human health and happiness

Agrobiodiversity improves human health and well-being by expanding access to diverse, nutrient-dense foods that support balanced diets and reduce reliance on a few staple crops. Greater dietary species richness—the number of species eaten—is a reliable predictor of diet quality and micronutrient adequacy, both linked to positive health outcomes. Diverse farming systems also stabilize livelihoods by generating multiple income streams, lowering poverty risk and income volatility, and buffering seasonal or environmental shocks. They further sustain traditional and Indigenous crops, protecting cultural identity and genetic resources.