Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Q1. What are the potential entry points for government to address challenges and foster the development of digital agriculture?

On the subject of evaluating the potential entry points for governments to address challenges and foster the development of digital agriculture, the reality on the ground in the Pacific Islands Sub-region clearly illustrates that one size doesn’t fit all.  In situations where the number of islands of one Pacific state exceeds by orders of magnitude the number of inhabitants of another island state, or where some states have fast Internet links, while in others people rely on radio stations to get their news, the challenges which various governments face are quite different.

Without getting into particulars of different island countries, the experience shows that connecting to Internet by fast links (e.g. by under-sea optical cable; most Pacific countries still use slower links), and development of communications infrastructure and making it affordable to general population, are among principal drivers for many aspects of society in the Pacific, including agriculture.  In addition, when dealing with digitalization with regards to food, the experts frequently point out that the areas such as Fishery and Climate Change, which are very pertinent in the Pacific, should not be generically included in digital agriculture, since they often have different dynamics, but they have as much to benefit from digitalization as agriculture.

Other potential entry points for governments could be:  finding synergies between different Ministries, taking stock of digital initiatives at national level, integrating international initiatives with relevant ones locally present, encouraging public-private partnerships, making information and resources available to small holders (no one is left behind), ensuring access to market, creation of government sponsored open agriculture portals (as opposed to profit driven ones), ensuring reliability of agricultural information, encouraging knowledge sharing, ensuring availability of information in local languages (often times many languages are spoken in the same country), and promoting digital literacy (especially since most of the island populations are young and quickly accept new technologies).

Q2. How can the establishment of the Digital Council address the numerous barriers to adoption of these technologies?

One aspect to underline with regards to the barriers to adoption of digital technologies is privacy/confidentiality.  In Pacific countries, where populations are seldomly numerous, ensuring privacy/confidentiality of information is sometimes an issue.  Techniques of data anonymization, which work in places with higher populations, are sometimes not applicable in the Pacific.

Q3. Do you think that the roles identified for the Digital Council are suitable for facing the food systems challenges outlined above?

Regarding Role 1 (Building a Central Knowledge Hub), one of the starting points could be making a comprehensive inventory of digital initiatives at national level and encouraging national ownership (otherwise acceptance could be difficult).

Q4. What governance structure should be in place in order for the Council to serve its purpose?

On the topic of governance structure, it could be beneficial to conduct an input-output study before deciding on the final structure.  This would ensure a results-based approach in determining the optimal structure, rather than a process based one.

Digitalization in various aspects of agriculture is positively reforming the fate of agriculture unto food security in countries that embraced the initiative. Are there likely modalities that the Council would adopt to encourage, propel, and subsequently enforce countries (member countries) that are yet to embrace it, and /or are having challenges with their implementations?

By the application of the modalities, the functions and impacts of the Council will be widespread seeing that the jurisdiction of functions of the Council is not limited to any continent of the world.

Best wishes,

Onyeodili, Adindu Oliver. 

From University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). 

My little addition to the Concept Note is that there should be an inclusion of "Introduction/ Studies on Digital Agriculture" in the High schools and undergraduate students' curriculum. In short, the study of Agriculture needs to be repackaged to make it catchy for the younger generation to study in our tertiary institutions in Africa.

English translation below

Question 1 

Dans les pays du Maghreb, les pouvoirs publics investissent dans les infrastructures de base pour développer les réseaux de communication à travers tout le territoire afin d’étendre la connectivité aux régions les plus reculées. L’objectif immédiat est de rapprocher le réseau de l’utilisateur. La numérisation des institutions et des services publics progresse plus ou moins vite selon le pays. 

La majorité des grandes et moyennes entreprises utilisent les tics de base, elles créent leurs sites internet, utilisent les réseaux sociaux pour promouvoir leurs produits ; échanger avec leurs clientèles. Elles déposent leurs marques, leurs noms de domaines, elles se protègent de la contrefaçon et de la concurrence déloyale. 

De même, les universités s’initient à l’utilisation des ressources numériques, certaines d’entre elles ont introduit des modules d’enseignement relatifs à l’utilisation des bases de données, elles créent des espaces consacrés à la numérisation de leurs travaux de recherche et publications...de telles initiatives vont favoriser à terme l’émergence d’une culture numérique qui va ouvrir la voie à la naissance de nouvelles compétences dans les tics. 

Le Conseil arrive à point pour insuffler une nouvelle dynamique aux systèmes d’innovation actuellement en état de léthargie, la mise en œuvre de la politique de recherche scientifique et de l’innovation, la création de passerelle entre le monde rural et académique, le développement de l’agri-entrepreneuriat... peinent à démarrer. Des projets de valorisation industrielle et/ou marketing concernant les produits de l’opuntia sont en cours dans les trois pays. Le terrain est propice pour y intégrer les tics, il faut ‘’faire avec ce qu’il y a”. 

Le climat de développement initié par une institution internationale est stimulant pour les détenteurs de technologie à investir directement ou indirectement au Maghreb. Le système de propriété intellectuelle des trois pays est rassurant, leurs dispositifs législatifs et règlementaires sont conformes aux standards de l’ADPIC (Accord sur les Droits de Propriété intellectuelle quitouchent au Commerce) 

L’Algérie plus aisée financièrement que ses voisins peut investir à la fois dans les technologies matérielles et immatérielles, l’utilisation de ces dernières est nécessaire pour atteindre ses objectifs de développement à l’Horizon 2020/ 2030.

Question 3

Le rôle que s’assigne le Conseil numérique présenté dans les deux grandes rubriques, à savoir la construction d’un pôle de connaissances d’une part, et un cadre politique et règlementaire, d’autre part, ne nous semble pas homogène. En effet, autant la première spécifie certaines taches notamment le ‘’ regroupement des recherches et des ressources existantes…’’, la ‘’collaboration entre les acteurs…’’, l’’’orientation efficace des investissements en R&D…’’ autant la deuxième décline le rôle sous forme d’un catalogue consistant en la fourniture de ‘’ guides pratiques…’’ des ‘’outils… ‘’, des ‘’indications clé de performances…’’ destinés aux fonctionnaires et décideurs politiques. On s’interroge alors sur l’étendue de l’implication du Conseil, celui-ci se limiterait-t-il à la constitution d’un pôle de connaissances ?

Il nous semble, a priori, que le rôle du Conseil tel qu’il apparait à travers les taches énumérées est susceptible d’améliorer l’écart d’information en matière de développement de l’agriculture numérique de façon générale.

Il répond partiellement à la seconde lacune, l’écart d’intégration, puisqu’il se propose d’oeuvrer à la collaboration et la coordination des parties prenantes. Bien que ce qui précède soit un apport déterminant pour l’innovation, néanmoins le processus de ce dernier n’étant pas du tout évoqué, les solutions pour y remédier (l’écart d’innovation) ne sont pas apparentes.

Question 4

Le conseil reconnait le défi qui l’attend pour vaincre les difficultés à faire adopter les technologies. En effet, les expériences du passé en matière de transfert de technologie sont vivaces, le choix des technologies n’est pas plus aisé aujourd’hui qu’hier aussi bien par rapport aux marchés, le niveau de la technologie, les capacités d’absorption des acteurs tout le long de la chaine de valeur de la filière.

Les obstacles à surmonter sont nombreux et variés compte tenu de la pluralité des acteurs, des métiers, de profils…l’absence d’une stratégie opérationnelle pertinente dans la conduite des projets d’innovation explique le statut quo de certains projets. Des résultats probants sont un gage déterminant de l’efficience des actions du Conseil, l’avenir du développement de l’agriculture numérique en dépend.

Les taches étant multidisciplinaires, l’élaboration d’un plan d’action allant de l’étude de besoin /solution à la production/fabrication/commercialisation nécessite la réunion d’une expertise dans le domaine dont il s’agit. Il nous semble que le Conseil doit se doter de cette capacité à assister les utilisateurs des technologies non pas seulement à faire de la duplication mais à la création et l’innovation, faute de quoi on va assister à un « remake » du classique transfert de technologie Nord/Sud remis au gout du jour (rétention de l’information et renouveau dans le transfert de technologie).

Question 1

In the Maghreb countries, governments invest in basic infrastructures to develop communication networks across the territory in order to extend connectivity to the remote regions. The immediate goal is to bring the user closer to the network. The digitization of institutions and public services is progressing to a certain extent depending on the country.

The majority of large and medium sized enterprises use basic ICTs, they create websites, use social media to promote their products and exchange with their clients. They file trademarks, domain names; they protect themselves from counterfeiting and unfair competition.

Likewise, universities are starting to use digital resources; some of them introduced units related to databases using, created spaces dedicated to the digitization of research papers and publications. Such actions will support the emergence of a digital culture which will open the way to new ICT skills.

The Council is coming at a great time to instil a new dynamic and breathe life into the innovations systems that are currently in a dormant state because of the execution of scientific research and innovations politics, the creation of bridges between the academic and rural world that is struggling to take off. The industrial/marketing valorization projects concerning Opuntia related products are ongoing in the three countries. The field is suitable to integrate ICTs, we must “work with what we have”. The development climate initiated by an international institution is stimulating to the technology holders to invest directly or indirectly in the Maghreb countries. The intellectual property system in the three countries is reassuring; their regulatory and legislative frameworks are complying with the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement standards.

Algeria being wealthier than its neighbours can invest in both material and immaterial technologies, the using of the latter is necessary to reach its development goals by 2020/2030.

Question 3

The digital council role which is presented in two wide sections, namely the construction of a knowledge pole on one hand and a political and regulatory framework on the other hand does not seem to be evenly distributed. Indeed, the first one specifies certain tasks such as “research and existing resources grouping”, “collaboration between actors”, “efficient orientations of R&D investments”. The latter declines the role under the form of a catalogue consisting of providing “practical guides”, “tools” and “key performance indications” destined for officials and political decision-makers. This does raise questions about the implication of the Council, Is it limiting itself to the construction of knowledge pole only?

It seems that the role of the Council looking from the enumerated tasks is susceptible to improve the knowledge gap concerning the development of the digital agriculture in general. It answers partially to the second lack, the integration gap, because it works towards the collaboration and coordination between the stakeholders. Although the foregoing is a determining contribution for innovation, however, being that the process of innovation is not addressed; the solutions to repair the innovation gap are not in sight.

Question 4

The Council recognizes the challenge that awaits it to overcome the difficulties faced in order to adopt the technologies. Indeed, past experiences concerning technology transfer were perennial, the choice of technologies is not easier today in relation to the market, technology level and the absorption capacity of the actors all along the value chain of the sector.

The obstacles to overcome are numerous and diversified considering the plurality of actors, occupations and profiles. The absence of a pertinent operational strategy in conducting innovation projects explains the status quo of certain projects. Persuasive results represent guarantees that determine the efficiency of the Council’s actions, the future of the development of digital agriculture depends on them.

The tasks are multi-disciplinary, the elaboration of an action plan from the needs/solution study to the production/manufacturing/sales needs a meeting between experts in the corresponding sector. It seems that the Council should arm itself with a capacity to assist the users of the technology and not to only perform a duplication but to create and innovate. Otherwise, we will deal with a “remake” of the classical technology transfer North/South brought up to date (Information containment and renewal in the technology transfer).

Dear Colleagues,

As a representative of the business, I would be glad to have more clarity about how a proposed International Digital Council for Food and Agriculture is going to deal with the agricultural business? Through government? Through NGO? And what is the role of the business in the digitalization of agriculture? What type of services provided by the business can be considered as social important for small-scale agricultural producers and can be developed using Business Development Services, BDS approach? (supporting promotion of the services and not subsidizing the transaction of the services)

From a business point of view:

Question 1. What are the potential entry points for government to address challenges and foster the development of digital agriculture?

Lack of available information on export and import of agricultural products; long-term market price fluctuation for fresh agricultural produce, agricultural input; margins of value chain operators working for domestic market and export.

2. How can the establishment of the Digital Council address the numerous barriers to adoption of these technologies?

Consider the business as an equal partner for decision-making, rather than a provider of services leading to service market distortion.

3. Do you think that the roles identified for the Digital Council are suitable for facing the agrifood systems challenges outlined above?

A Hub for gathering new knowledge, sharing knowledge through the Internet and live face-to-face contacts. An Organizer of innovation competitions and dissemination of innovations.

4. Do you think that the roles identified for the Digital Council are suitable for facing the agrifood systems challenges outlined above?

It would be good to take into consideration regional specifics and make a kind of matrix system: Specific working groups – Different regions of the world.

Kind regards,

Eugene Ryazanov

Goodday!

Have been following the UN governing councils for decades. My take is that the UN is too weak to deliver on her promises. I recommend nomination/selection of experts for take of of this digital council. Those that can deliver the promises. My recommendation should be coupled with the engagements of those that are directly affected by the digital effects if this iniitative is to deliver on the promises.

David Ojo NIHORT

Good evening from Kenya. This is Mary Mwema a youth Agricultural Resource Manager.

While most agricultural stakeholders have an indepth understanding of digital agricultural practices, the key stakeholder and end user-farmer-barely engages in the awareness and formation of such features.

Farmers, especially in developing countries like ours, need to be capacity built through extension information on aspects key in infusing digital technologies. Precision agriculture, use of georeferencing and other aspects of digitizing agribusiness will only be jargon to a farmer who is still stuck to observing weather patterns and not keen on keeping farm records. The farmers might not adopt the digital agricultural practices as they deem them too complex to use. The youths can help in sensitizing rural communities on importance and use of digital technologies and how it ties to agriculture production.

In addition, I agree that there needs to be a scoping of the preparedness of counties to be engaged in the international platform. As local as county level in Kenya so as to adopt better practices in tandem with agroecological conditions. This will ensure effective adoption and bring out different issues in different geographies even as we adopt digitization.

Building up on well established digital platforms such as the FAO FSN and other digital farmer platforms will help synthesize a wider database of early adopters and exchange best practices.

Kind regards,

Mary Mwema

SYNSAD,KENYA.

Question 2. How can the establishment of the Digital Council address the numerous barriers to adoption of these technologies?

Membership shall be open and free so that no one is left behind in participation.  

Corrections and/or additions to my contribution:

Q1: Potential entry points:

Addition to root causes:

Technological: Digital divide, gender divide, geographic divide, inappropriate technology, inadequate innovation, etc. 

Q4: Governance structure:

The pillars of empowerment are knowledge, technology and cooperation. The goal of the Digital Council should be to uphold these pillars. 

My apology. 

Contribution received through the e-Agriculture platform

Q1

Potential entry points for Government to address the challenges and foster the development of digital agriculture:

-development of digital agricultural strategy to guide Government policy development in the field of agriculture to assist in the adoption and uptake of digital technologies;

- whether this is policy development that facilitates open data sharing or not:

-once Government strategy is decided; then policy development can assist access to information; and focus priorites around capacity building for digital and data literacy within agricultural industries.

To build trust, governments must ensure frameworks are in place to ensure agricultural technology industries are treating ag data safely, securely and respecting the privacy of the farmers.  To do this Governments can examine a variety of regulatory options: unfair terms legislation; data codes of conduct that encourage best practice in data collection management and sharing.

Q2

I believe the Digital Council itself need to Be Informed: members of the Digital Council should have training in a wide range of issues to ensure that the deliberation of the Digital Council are well informed. There are many complex issues arising with the adoption and uptake of digital technologies in agriculutre and for effective and ethical decision making, it is important that there is training provided and adopted by the Digital Council, around the legal social and ethical and technological implications of digital agriculture. This will assist in developing a common informed view that will assist the Digital Council perfrom its role effectively. 

Q3

Yes - but agree that the Digital Council should be engaged with industry and farmers - the DC could take on the role of providing a broad overarching capacity building - both at a high level SDG level as well as national level. Some examples of best practice would be helpful to provide guidance and resources, bringing together  policies and information resources.