My CONTRIBUTION TO SHAPING THE DESIGN OF THE AGRIFOOD SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS OUTLOOK (ATIO) KNOWLEDGE BASE (KB)
Dear Sir/ Madam
FSN Forum admin
Thanks for this appreciated initiative. As your synopsis on this crucial topic has indicated that "Agrifood system transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals requires increased attention to developing, adapting and diffusing impactful science, technology and innovation (STI)". Your short summary also has stressed that "current levels and patterns of STI uptake are inadequate to facilitate needed agrifood system transformations, especially in today's low- and middle-income countries". I would like to comment as follows:
A useful tool for compiling data on agricultural technology and innovations may be the Agrifood Systems technology and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) Knowledge Base (KB). Data-driven insights on cutting-edge agrifood technology that improve flood resistance are one way it could be beneficial. In addition to country-specific readiness levels, adoption hurdles, and comparative effectiveness in minimizing flood risks in various agricultural contexts, it could contain information on flood-tolerant crop varieties, water-retaining soil amendments, or smart drainage systems.
Finding innovations that support biodiversity-friendly agriculture, such agroecological techniques, pollinator-friendly farming methods, or AI-powered biodiversity monitoring systems, is another way the KB could be helpful. Statistics demonstrating relationships between the adoption of innovations centred on biodiversity and long-term gains in ecosystem services or agricultural yields would be very helpful.
Furthermore, the KB might make it easier to compare agrifood innovations according to important standards like sustainability, scalability, and socioeconomic impact—especially when it comes to mitigating and adapting to climate change. Researchers' and politicians' decision-making would be aided by access to case studies, expert assessments, and actual adoption rates. The KB would be much more useful for people working at the nexus of agriculture, environmental sustainability, and technology innovation if it contained these kinds of insights.
In reference to: FAO. 2022. Introducing the Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook. Rome. I could add that: the ATIO needs to address more than simply farm-level output because post-farmgate activities account for more than 70% of the value addition represented in global consumer food expenditures (Yi et al., 2021). Besides, in the primary sectors of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry as well as in downstream processing, manufacturing, and distribution, the unwavering pursuit of ever-greater efficiency has had predictable, if unintended, consequences for working conditions, resilience to shocks, and human and environmental health as indicated by Herrero and co-workers (2021).
Overall, the ATIO Knowledge Base holds the potential to bridge critical data gaps, enhance STI visibility, and foster a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood system.
Wish you all the best in shaping the design of the agrifood system technologies and innovations.
Best regards,
Dr. Khaldoun Othman Al Sane
Dr. Khaldoun Al Sane