Japan and FAO aim to deepen collaboration to promote digital and other new technologies in agriculture

21 October 2019, Rome – In talks today FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and Makoto Osawa, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan focused on ways to boost the introduction of digital and other new technologies in agriculture.

In this context, they discussed further collaboration on promoting, amongst others, the use of drones, information and communications technology (ICT), data-based agriculture and smart phone apps for farmers.

Qu and Osawa also discussed follow-up actions related to the FAO Director-General’s participation in the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in August.  At this event, Qu stressed how through enhanced access to appropriate mechanization, small scale farming in Africa can be transformed into a more market-oriented business, improving labour productivity and helping enable farmers to lift themselves out of poverty. 

The FAO Director-General noted his appreciation for the support and collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.