The Chief Scientist is the driver to leverage and mainstream STI at FAO by delivering strategic directions, enhancing dialogues and forging transformative partnerships.
The Chief Scientist enables the Organization to strengthen its position as a source of reliable scientific information and a neutral platform at the heart of important debates.The Chief Scientist also strengthens FAO’s capacities to support countries in identifying, piloting, and scaling up technologies and innovations which are adapted to their needs and contexts.
FAO developed its first-ever Science and Innovation Strategy in 2022. It is a tool to support the delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Action Plan 2022-2025 for the implementation of the Science and Innovation Strategy provides a common framework for FAO action at the country, sub-regional, regional and global levels.
Highlights
Publications
Sowing seeds of equality A global stocktaking of the integration of gender in Farmer Field School interventions
03/2026
FAO and CARE USA collaborated in conducting a gender stocktaking exercise to enhance understanding of gender equality integration within Farmer Field...
Publications
Guidelines for gender integration in Farmer Field Schools Towards gender transformative programmes
03/2026
Women are central to agrifood systems, yet persistent gender inequalities continue to limit their access to agricultural extension, resources and decision-making....
Publications
Developing agricultural innovation and extension policies for transforming agrifood systems Insight into key areas of action
03/2026
This publication provides a set of orientations for member countries to develop agricultural innovation and extension policies to underpin agrifood...
Africa Conference on Sustainable Agriculture Mechanisation |3-6 February 2026 | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Chief Scientist and STI
The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 puts at its centre the vision of Leaving No One Behind through MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
The Chief Scientist makes a key contribution to this vision through harnessing STI to provide solutions that address all the dimensions of sustainability to promote a world free from poverty, hunger and malnutrition, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda.
Technology and innovation being two of the four accelerators in FAO Strategic Framework, together with data and complements (governance, human capital, and institutions), facilitate the role of the Chief Scientist to contribute to that vision.
The Chief Scientist supports assessment of the needs of small-scale producers in technologies and innovations and evaluates their impacts, including the potential benefits, risks, trade-offs and unintended consequences, as well as the barriers to adoption and diffusion, to ensure that the Programme Priority Areas can better leverage the two accelerators.
