Agrifood systems employ 1.23 bln people globally: FAO

ROME, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Agrifood systems directly employ 1.23 billion workers globally, and nearly half of the world's population live in households linked to food production, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a study published on Monday.

The Rome-based agency said the study is the "first systematic and documented global estimate of its kind." Based on an array of sources gathered and collated by FAO, the researchers focused on entire agrifood systems rather than only on direct agricultural sectors, reflecting "the increasing importance of off-farm activities in feeding the world's population."