Economic development has traditionally been measured through indicators such as production, investment, employment, income, infrastructure, and consumption. These measures are important, but they do not fully capture whether an economy is strengthening its foundations or gradually consuming them. Land, water, forests, oceans, biodiversity, soil, minerals, and energy systems provide the physical conditions that make economic activity possible. When these foundations are weakened, the apparent gains of development can become increasingly difficult to sustain.

Agriculture is more than a source of food: it is a fundamental component of economic infrastructure. Its performance influences employment, trade, rural development, food security, natural-resource management, and the stability of entire economic systems. As pressures on land, water, soil, and ecosystems increase, responsible agriculture is becoming essential to maintaining productivity while protecting the foundations on which future economic growth depends.