The international debate over refugees and migration, can make the positive contributions of migrants to rural development and the agricultural sector seem insignificant, but there are enormous benefits.

That’s the message from­ Andrea Cattaneo, lead author of Monday’s State of Food and Agriculture report, and economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

For host countries, migrants are major contributors to the agricultural workforce, and help economies back home by sending money to their families - boosting food security, nutrition, and schooling.

Mr. Cattaneo spoke to Charlotta Lomas.