Op-Ed by FAO Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi: Why FAO needs a Science and Innovation Strategy to deliver its Strategic Framework

Both within and beyond agrifood systems, the landscape of science and innovation is continuously evolving and ushering in new opportunities for achieving the SDGs. A wide range of approaches, technologies and practices exist that can contribute to transforming agrifood systems to nourish people, nurture the planet, advance equitable livelihoods and build resilient ecosystems. However, these approaches, on their own, are not enough. We are off track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and we must rethink our assumptions, our policies and our delivery.

In order to get back on track, we must truly harness science and innovation and put producers, including small-scale producers, front and centre of the agrifood system, helping them access and take full advantage of available approaches – from digital agriculture to agroecology. This is the vision encapsulated in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31. Indeed, the Strategic Framework introduces technology and innovation as two of four accelerators intended to speed up progress and maximize efforts in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As we look out to the many actors of agrifood systems to innovate, so we must look within. This is why FAO has developed a Science and Innovation Strategy (currently in draft form) to respond to the need for coherence and strategic vision in its own work related to science and innovation. The Strategy will be a tool for delivering the Strategic Framework, together with the new FAO Strategy on Climate Change. It recognizes that science and innovation can be a powerful engine to transform agrifood systems and can accelerate reaching our objective of ending hunger and malnutrition. But only when accompanied by strong institutions, good governance, political will, enabling regulatory frameworks, and effective measures that promote equity among agrifood system actors. 

The outline and roadmap of the Strategy are being considered by all Regional Conferences and so far, the feedback received has been very positive. Several rounds of consultation have also taken place at Headquarters – both formal and informal. The draft Strategy is on the agenda of the upcoming session of the Programme Committee and will be considered for endorsement by the FAO Council at its session in June.

Given the multiple crisis facing humanity, there is a huge sense of urgency to transform our agrifood systems and to do so based on robust science and evidence. Important strides have been made in a range of scientific and technological fields ranging from biotechnologies, nuclear techniques in food and agriculture, digital tools, and nanotechnology – to advancements in the fields of ecology, agronomy, sociology of rural development, and innovations related to agroecology, agroforestry, and facing the challenges of climate change. These advancements provide the opportunity of transforming the agrifood systems through Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind. This is why FAO continues to strengthen its focus on science and innovation, and why the new Science and Innovation Strategy is urgently needed.