Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

The Global AgriInno Challenge 2021, co-organized by FAO and Zhejiang University, aims to encourage youth and women to harness innovation, entrepreneurship and technologies to address challenges related to the transformation of rural villages into ‘Digital Villages’ that contribute to the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, while leaving no one behind.

Ten youth-led innovation solutions were selected out of 157 applications from 37 countries for their standout entrepreneurship and promising potential for a positive impact on agri-food systems.

The final teams will pitch their solutions online in front of judges from FAO, ITU, UNWTO, Zhejiang University, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, and Pinduoduo, and audience from all over the world.

The Pitch Event will take place on Thursday 9 December, 13:00 - 15:20 CET.

Please register here.

The Global AgriInno Challenge 2021 is co-organized by FAO and Zhejiang University in partnership with the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.

The Challenge aims to harness innovation, entrepreneurship and digital technologies to address challenges related to the transformation from rural villages into ‘Digital Villages’ that contribute to the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, while leaving no one behind.

All youth with ideas for digital innovations for the global agri-food sector are welcome to apply.

The selected teams will be invited to further develop and pitch their innovative solutions in Shenzhen, China on 10-11 November 2021 with all relevant expenses covered. They will have the opportunity to receive advice from experienced experts from the UN, international organizations, the private sector and academia, and to dialogue with high-level representatives from leading companies and organizations.

The selected teams will also meet with top angel investors from venture capital funds and business leaders in the global agri-food sector who may be interested in investing in their solutions. The top winning teams will receive seed funding and will have the opportunity to join the Digital Agriculture Bootcamp (with training, travel and accommodation expenses covered). 

Please submit your team’s application by 24 October 2021 (24:00 CEST).

To learn more about the selection criteria and how to apply, please click here.

The ‘Digital Agriculture Report: Rural E-commerce Development—Experience from China’, produced by FAO and Zhejiang University, has been officially released. The publication examines how rural e-commerce could advance the digital transformation of agri-food systems, including increasing production efficiency, expanding farmers’ market access, improving poverty alleviation, fostering agricultural entrepreneurship, and attracting young generations back to their villages for economic revival and rural revitalization. 

It is highlighted that an enabling ecosystem with favourable government policies and strategies, public-private partnerships and innovative business models is of great importance to accelerate the development of rural areas in China, and generate larger economic, social and environmental impacts. As the largest developing country in the world, the experience of digital agriculture transformation in China could be shared with other developing countries.

The report also discusses some of the challenges encountered and lessons learned during the development of rural e-commerce, as well as the proposals for the way forward.

The report is available in English and can be downloaded here.

The agricultural sector will face enormous challenges to feed the projected 9.6 billion people who will inhabit the planet by 2050. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in severe economic and social distress around the world, triggering several negative impacts on agri-food systems. However, e-commerce entered the outbreak period ahead of time, especially in the agri-food sector, and with the new opportunities it creates, it is considered a potential solution to this difficult situation.

To continue its active work in promoting digitilization of the agricultural sector, FAO, in close collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Zhejiang University (ZJU), participates in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum. 

Following WSIS Action Line C7 on eAgriculture that focuses on using ICT applications for e-agriculture, the jointly organized webinar "E-commerce for agriculture and rural development" will aim at enhancing knowledge and exchanging experiences, involving a wide range of experts from various organisations, institutions, academia, and private sector businesses, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Alibaba, and African young e-commerce entrepreneurs.

During the event, the Digital Agriculture Flagship Report will be presented, which is based on experiences with successful business models and on results of technology applications in the field of rural e-commerce in China. 

The webinar takes place on Friday, 7 May 2021, 15:00–16:00 (CEST).

For more information on this event and to register, please click here. 

Since 2018, FAO and the Federal Government of Switzerland encourage innovation by publically recognizing best practices through the International Innovation Award for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. The award does not only acknowledge digital innovation, but also new or existing products or practices that are used in a specific context, to increase effectiveness, competitiveness and resilience. The second edition of this Award has been launched, which is open to individuals, private companies and institutions. It comprises two categories:

• Category A awards excellence in digitization and innovation for sustainable food systems (USD 30 000)

• Category B recognises an innovation that empowers youth in sustainable food systems (USD 30 000)

In the spirit of the forthcoming Food Systems’ Summit in 2021 and aligned to the aspirations and goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the candidates should demonstrate the important role of their innovation in transforming food systems through sustainable food and agriculture and the improvement of food security and nutrition for all, particularly in the face of increased environmental challenges. In line with the requirements and technical competencies of the Federal Office of Agriculture of Switzerland, all innovations must apply to agriculture and pastoral systems only. 

This call is open until 19 March 2021.

More information on this call and on how to apply can be accessed here. 

Welcome to the Digital Agriculture Forum, co-organized by FAO, the Zhejiang University and National Agricultural Science and Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alliance of China on 5-6 Dec. 2020, aiming to foster an enabling ecosystem to accelerate the digital transformation of agri-food system through leveraging on innovative digital solutions and business models and enhancing knowledge exchanges in digital agriculture policies and practices.

Global AgriInno Pitch Event

5 Dec. Sat. | 19:00-22:10 hours | UTC+8:00 (Beijing Time)

Come and support 12 youth-led innovation solutions selected out of 172 applications from 35 countries worldwide will pitch their e-commerce solutions to address the challenge of the distribution and sales of agricultural products in front of an international jury.

Digital Agriculture and Rural Development Forum

6 Dec. Sun. | 09:00-12:00 hours | UTC+8:00 (Beijing Time)

The Forum will address new opportunities and challenges for agricultural and rural development under the epidemic and best practices of digital village. Speakers are from FAO, Zhejiang University, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Alibaba Group, National Agricultural Science and Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alliance of China, etc.

Digital Agriculture Dialogue

6 Dec. Sun. | 15:30-19:30 hours | UTC+8:00 (Beijing Time)

The Dialogue will address digital transformation of the agri-food system through policymaking, technology and international cooperation. Speakers are from FAO, AfDB, the World Bank, UNDP, ITU, GODAN, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Zhejiang University, Top Cloud-Agri Technology Co.Ltd.

To REGISTER at http://fao.0571hst.cn  

More information about the forum events and speakers at http://fao.0571hst.com 

Webinar languages: English and Chinese. Simultaneous interpretation is available.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are accepting submissions on good practices from Europe and Central Asia in digital agriculture. 

This call is the first phase of the regional contest entitled “Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia”, aiming at collecting good practices in the field of digital agriculture and providing a mechanism for identifying outstanding initiatives, projects, and programmes across the regions to be awarded with a special recognition of Digital Excellence in Agriculture.  

It will enable individuals and organizations using digital agricultural practices to share knowledge, solutions, and suggestions that highlight the potential of stepping up good practices in the region of Europe and Central Asia.

The regional contest will have six phases:

• Submission of good practices open from 4 November until 11 December 2020;
• Nomination of outstanding practices in January 2021;
• Production of a stocktaking report including all good practices collected;
• Selection of the finalists and award recipients;
• Production of a special promotional video focusing on outstanding good practices, as well as production of the Digital Excellence in Agriculture report;
• Award ceremony where the finalists will receive an opportunity to present their good practices and outstanding achievements during the “Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia” event (February-March 2021), and the winners will be awarded with a special recognition and a trophy.

Submissions are accepted in the following categories: 

• Regulatory frameworks/Enhanced market access/Financial services and insurance;
• Capacity development and empowerment;
• Agriculture innovations systems and sustainable farming;
• Disaster risk management and early warning systems;
• Food safety and traceability.

This regional contest follows a joint ITU-FAO Study on the Status of Digital Agriculture in 18 Countries of Europe and Central Asia, that clearly demonstrated how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are playing an emerging role in the agriculture of Europe and Central Asia.

This call will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, in particular, SDG2 on “Zero Hunger”, by contributing to close the digital, rural, and gender disparaties, known as the triple divide, and ensure an inclusive digital transition. The contest is also an important milestone in the implementation of the Regional Initiatives of both, the ITU and FAO. 

For more information, please visit http://www.fao.org/europe/resources/call-on-digital-excellence/en/