Transforming Agrifood Systems through Science and Innovation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have partnered to advance sustainable agrifood systems worldwide. Signed in November 2021, this four-year collaboration builds on a long history of joint work, combining WUR’s academic and applied research excellence with FAO’s global operational mandate. 

Their joint efforts are highlighted in the FAO publication “Transforming Agrifood Systems through Science and Innovation” which showcases how the partnership advances sustainable agrifood systems. The collaboration focuses on eight strategic areas: agrifood economics, animal production and health, climate resilience, fisheries, nutrition, food safety, forestry, and partnership enhancement. Through this work, FAO and WUR aim to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, support sustainable resource management, and foster inclusive food systems. 

According to the publication, over the past years, the partnership has achieved concrete results and developed innovative solutions, including: 

• Advancing methodologies to monitor diet-related consumer behavior in low- and middle-income countries. 
• Implementing digital tools to monitor and prevent child labor in Ghana’s cocoa sector. 
• Exploring blockchain applications to support climate-smart agriculture. 
• Enhancing fisheries management and improving land- and water-resource monitoring through platforms such as SEPAL and WaPOR. 

Looking ahead, FAO and WUR will further strengthen their collaboration, focusing on digital agriculture, One Health approaches, environmental research, and youth engagement. By aligning complementary expertise and leveraging joint research, the partnership continues to support resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems, advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
 
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