Innovations in agriculture cut across all dimensions of the production cycle along the entire value chain - from crop, forestry, fishery or livestock production to the management of inputs and resources and market access. Innovation is not just about technology. It is also about social, economic, institutional, behavioural, organizational and policy processes, business models and innovative financing. These elements, in combination or in isolation, can have a positive impact on the production, nutrition, environment and livelihoods of people, notably smallholder farmers, fishers, and forest-dependent communities.

The Office of Innovation (OIN) was created in December 2019 in order to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including innovation of mindset and innovation of cooperation models. Technological, social, policy, institutional, and financial innovations are considered relevant and applicable throughout agrifood systems.

Innovation is the central driving force that will transform agrifood systems, lift millions of people out of poverty and help the world to achieve food security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).