Digital Public Goods for Digital Agriculture and Innovation: Key Takeaways from LLDC3

At the recent Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), a dedicated side event offered a timely opportunity to reflect on how Digital Public Goods (DPGs) are unlocking transformation in agrifood systems, particularly in countries facing structural constraints such as limited connectivity, exposure to climate shocks, and reduced access to global markets.

Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the event brought together high-level representatives from member states and partner organizations to exchange insights on how inclusive, open digital ecosystems can help bridge digital divides and support sustainable rural development.

In her opening remarks, Xiangjun Yao, Director of FAO’s Office of Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries (OSL), emphasized the importance of digital agriculture in advancing FAO’s mandate:

“Among our key Programme Priority Areas is ‘Digital Agriculture,’ which strengthens FAO’s role in championing digital technologies for agrifood systems transformation. Digital agriculture enables farmers and policymakers to access real-time, actionable information, improve access to markets, credit, and insurance, adopt climate-smart practices, and enhance digitalization.”

Government ministers and technical experts shared national and sectoral perspectives on how DPGs can be integrated into strategies for agrifood systems transformation:

• H.E. Charyyar Chetiyev, Minister of Agriculture, Turkmenistan, outlined how the country is leveraging open-source platforms and data tools to tackle challenges common to rural landlocked areas, including limited market access, infrastructure gaps, and climate vulnerability.
• H.E. Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Minister for Agriculture, Uzbekistan, presented national strategies to integrate DPGs into climate-smart and data-driven agriculture, ensuring solutions are tailored to diverse agro-ecological zones and accessible to all.
• Mr. Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank, stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and financing to scale certified DPGs and create interoperable digital ecosystems that support inclusive digital trade.
• Mr. Omar Peñarubia, FAO Fishery Officer, emphasized how open data platforms and AI-enabled monitoring can improve traceability, decision-making and sustainability in fisheries, particularly in inland and aquaculture systems in LLDCs.

The discussion highlighted concrete ways in which DPGs are being applied across regions:

• Real-time data access is enabling farmers to receive weather alerts, market prices, and agronomic advice, improving decision-making at the farm level.
• Open platforms such as WaPOR, Open Foris, and the Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform are powering evidence-based policymaking and land management.
• Mobile and cloud-based services are expanding access to innovation for smallholders, women and youth, bridging rural–urban divides.
• Locally adapted solutions are being piloted through initiatives such as the Digital Villages Initiative and the Global Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs, ensuring that innovation is context-specific and scalable.

The session reaffirmed that digital transformation is not about technology alone, but about fostering inclusion, resilience and collaboration in the face of persistent global challenges.

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