Science, Technology and Innovation

SIF Theme 2024: Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation,
Leaving No One Behind
14-18 October 2024 | FAO headquarters and online
Check out the programme

The third edition of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum (SIF 2024) will be organized from 14 to 18 October 2024 under the umbrella of the World Food Forum (WFF), together with the Global Youth Forum and Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. The main theme of SIF 2024 will be Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind, aligned with the WFF 2024 overall theme of Good Food for All for Today and Tomorrow

This Forum serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among scientists, innovators, policymakers, farmers’ organizations, and stakeholders from diverse sectors. 

The technical sessions at the Forum will be organized around three critical themes: 

  1. Biotechnologies: Exploring the latest advancements and applications in biotechnology to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability
  2. Community-Driven Innovations: Highlighting grassroots innovations and community-led initiatives that drive local and regional agrifood systems transformation. 
  3. Digital Agriculture: Examining the role of digital technologies, such as precision farming, Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence, in revolutionizing agricultural practices and improving supply chain efficiencies. 

These themes have been selected not only for their significant role in transitioning towards efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, but also because of the questions they raise and the sometimes-polarizing viewpoints they elicit.   

To achieve meaningful impact, we need to address critical challenges such as closing the science, technology, and innovation (STI) gap in low- and middle-income countries, scaling up successful solutions, and harnessing the power of behavioural science

We must close the STI gap by addressing disparities in access to scientific knowledge and technological resources, ensuring equitable participation and benefits for all communities. 

Scaling up successful solutions is crucial for expanding the reach of effective technologies and improving food security and resilience through collaborative efforts. Leveraging behavioural science helps drive the adoption and sustained use of innovations by understanding stakeholder motivations and designing interventions that nurture a culture of sustainability and adaptation. 

Building on the success of SIF 2023, the Forum brings together globally recognized science and innovation experts and encourages a diversity of perspectives based on science. It facilitates inclusive debate and showcases how science and innovation can be leveraged for agrifood systems transformation.

News
06/11/2024
A major challenge facing many low- and middle-income countries is that agriculture is not viewed as a realistic career path for young people. Youth unemployment in such countries is often high. However, opportunities exist for transforming agrifood systems that take advantage of the numerous benefits offered by innovative mechanization and digitalization technologies.
18/10/2024
Science and Innovation Forum discusses how to make cutting-edge technology available to all farmers
15/10/2024
Africa regional event for the FAO Science & Innovation Forum 2024
16/10/2024
The theme of the forum’s third edition is Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind
03/10/2024
The regional event – “Frugal and Inclusive: Community-led Nature-driven Innovation for Greening Agrifood Systems” – was part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Science and Innovation Forum 2024, with its focus on “Inclusive and Community-Driven Innovations” aimed at transforming agrifood systems while leaving no one behind.
19/06/2024
The FAO-IFAD Joint Secretariat of the UN Decade of Family Farming is launching a video contest with the title of ‘Innovations for and by family farmers’ in the context of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) (UNDFF). Selected videos will be displayed as part of an exhibition organized during the Global Family Farming Forum held on 15-17 October 2024 in Rome during the week of the World Food Forum.
launch-event-wff24 (3)
26/04/2024

Rome – Details surrounding the World Food Forum (WFF) 2024 including this year’s theme: “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow” were unveiled at an event at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

In 2024 the WFF’s year-long activities will culminate in a flagship event to be held on 14– 18 October. This will include sessions dedicated to Global Youth ActionScience and Innovation and Hand-in-Hand Investment

Speeches by Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
Videos
Podcasts
25/09/2024

A podcast that explores the reasons for creating a self-managed e-learning course on scientific communication. What is science communication? What is its importance in Agrifood systems? Who are the key actors involved in communication processes? These are some of the questions addressed in this FAO Campus course for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Events
Event
Harnessing Data and Local driven Innovation for Inclusive Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa: Opportunities and challenges

Africa regional event for the FAO Science & Innovation Forum

Oct 15, 2024 01:00 PM GMT
Virtual Event
Register here
Webcast

Event
Frugal and Inclusive: Community-led nature-driven innovation for greening agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia

Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture

Oct 3, 2024 10:00 AM (Rome time)
Hybrid Event
Register here

Event
Effective Science Communication in Agrifood Systems

This regional event aims to showcase the role of scientific communication in facilitating economic, social, and environmental development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Access the event webpage here

Stories