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:
- Biotechnologies: Exploring the latest advancements and applications in biotechnology to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability
- Community-Driven Innovations: Highlighting grassroots innovations and community-led initiatives that drive local and regional agrifood systems transformation.
- 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
Sustainable mechanization and digitalization: Innovations that emPOWER youth in agrifood systems
06/11/2024
World Food Forum: Inclusive innovation takes centre stage at SIF 2024
18/10/2024
Harnessing data and innovation for Africa’s agrifood transformation
15/10/2024
World Food Forum: FAO Director-General opens Science and Innovation Forum 2024
16/10/2024
From Frugal Origins to Sustainable Solutions: Empowering Community-Led Agrifood Innovations
03/10/2024
Innovations for and by family farmers - Call for videos 2024
19/06/2024
FAO presents World Food Forum 2024
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 Action, Science and Innovation and Hand-in-Hand Investment.
Links
Contact
Speeches by Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
Videos
Podcasts
Why Communicate Science in Agrifood Systems?
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
Launch of the Mapping Report on Affordable and Transferrable Climate-Smart Technologies for Smallholder Farmers
7 October 10:00- 12:00 Cairo Time (GMT+3)
Virtual 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