This report aims to provide a conceptual framework to address food security under conditions of water scarcity in agriculture. It has been prepared by a team of FAO staff and consultants in the framework of the project `Coping with water scarcity: the role of agriculture?, and has been discussed at an Expert Consultation meeting organized in FAO, Rome in December 2009 on the same subject. It was subsequently edited and revised, taking account of discussions in the Expert Consultation and materials presented to the meeting.

The development of the Pillar 1 plan of action was initiated during the “Managing Living Soils” workshop held in Rome, Italy during December 2012. This workshop focused on the regional and national status, as well as challenges and priorities for sustainable soil management. This was followed by a Pillar 1 discussion session during the 2nd Global Soil Week held in Berlin, October 2013. The aim of the discussion was to decide on the structure of the plan of action and its main content.

Twenty-six percent of the planet's ice-free land is used for livestock grazing and 33 percent of croplands are used for livestock feed production. Livestock contribute to seven percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions through enteric fermentation and manure. In developed countries, 90 percent of cattle belong to six breed and 20 percent of livestock breeds are at risk of extinction.