INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL AGRICULTURE "VISION FOR THE FUTURE: TRANSITION TO DIGITAL AGRICULTURE" Ministerial Roundtable: Digitalization in agriculture: the way forward, approaches and best practices for adoption Statement

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL AGRICULTURE

"VISION FOR THE FUTURE: TRANSITION TO DIGITAL AGRICULTURE"

Ministerial Roundtable:

Digitalization in agriculture: the way forward, approaches and best practices for adoption

Statement (2-3 minutes)

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General   

6 May 2022

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

1. Thank you for joining this round table focused on looking ahead at how to leverage the power of digital technologies and data for the transformation of our agrifood systems.

 

2. The discussions this morning during the Conference on Digital Agriculture co-hosted by FAO and the Government of Azerbaijan, reaffirmed that digitalization and use of data, as well as Artificial Intelligence, have an essential role to play in agriculture.

 

3. It supports evidence-based policy, planning and implementation to improve efficiency and reduce negative environmental impacts.

 

4. FAO plays a key role in promoting the use and adoption of digital technologies by advising and promoting a policy agenda and public investments to address the digital divide and "massify" digital benefits, to ensure no on one is left behind.

 

5. In this context, this roundtable provides an important opportunity to find complementarities and synergies, and to reflect together on the path ahead.

 

6. The acceleration of digitalization in agriculture must also safeguard basic human rights by ensuring affordable access to digital technologies, digital literacy and digital public goods for everyone,

 

7. While internet use is growing, significant barriers continue to exist due to the increasing digital gender gap and low usage in rural areas.

 

8. Without specific targeted measures, the digital divide will further increase existing inequalities.

 

9. In rural areas, digital technologies can be leveraged to address multiple market failures and facilitate smallholder farmers’ integration into markets.

 

10. FAO has produced key knowledge-products such as the e-Agriculture Strategy Guide, the International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture and “Artificial Intelligence - Food for All”.

 

11. FAO also contributes to the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation by championing Digital Public Goods.

 

12. FAO is committed to continue working in partnerships to leverage technical expertise for the transformation of our agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable,

 

13. For better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

 

14. Thank you.