The 3rd edition of the FAO SIF 2024 Exhibition 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 is ‘Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind’.

SIF 2024 will showcase how science and innovation can transform agrifood systems inclusively, ensuring that no one is left behind. The interactive SIF Exhibition, taking place in the FAO Atrium throughout the week, will highlight groundbreaking innovations ranging from digital agriculture and biotechnology to community-led initiatives, promoting collaboration and engagement among FAO, its partners, and the global community.

Technology and innovation for a Blue Transformation of fisheries and aquaculture 

Blue Transformation is driving sustainable innovation in fisheries and aquaculture to enhance food security, conserve ecosystems, and improve livelihoods worldwide. Several approaches and innovations are helping achieve these goals.

The FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT) improves fish smoking and drying, reducing deforestation, fuel consumption, and harmful smoke exposure, while boosting product quality. Sustainable feed alternatives, like black soldier fly larvae and fish silage, offer affordable local solutions for fish farming, reducing reliance on expensive imports and contributing to food security and circular economies.

In aquaculture, FISH4ACP promotes spat collectors for sustainable oyster seed harvesting, safeguarding mangroves. Aquaponics, a system that integrates fish farming with plant cultivation in a closed-loop system, reduces water use and mitigates environmental impacts. The FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean champions this method to minimize the environmental footprint of aquaculture, making it a more resource-efficient and eco-friendly practice.

Technological innovations also play a key role. New fishing vessel designs developed by FAO enhance safety and fuel efficiency for small-scale fishers. DNA metaprobes collect genetic data to enhance research and marine resource management. Additionally, fish powder, rich in proteins and nutrients, fortifies meals and supports nutrition, especially for children and vulnerable communities.

Together, these innovations support a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient fisheries and aquaculture sector, ensuring long-term benefits for food security, environmental conservation, and the livelihoods of communities around the world.

 

FAO 4 Betters Courses Initiative: Demo and experience sharing 

Demo of the computer based and mobile responsive FAO elearning Academy courses and certification system. The FAO elearning courses are offered free of charge, as a global public good, they are fully aligned with the UN-SDGs and FAO’s strategic framework, aiming at the transformation of agri-food systems focusing on the “Four Betters”: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all. 

UCANR Roles in Transforming the California’s Agrifood Systems 

Within the main theme of the SIF is ‘Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind’, the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) will convey an interactive session with participants about UC ANR research and extension work. The first part of this segment will be short talks by the UC ANR leadership where they share concrete examples of what UCANR is doing around agrifood systems transformation harnessing science and innovation. The second part will be interaction with the audiences through Q&A, comments, dialogues. The program as follows: 

• 5 minutes talk by Dr Glenda Humiston, the Vice President of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Encourage collaboration: Foster collaborative efforts between partners and engagement of community in driving future science and innovation. 
• 10 minutes talk by Dr Brent Hales the Associate Vice President of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources talk: Showcase from UCANR-REC System groundbreaking innovations in agricultural research and food system transformation. 
• Q&A and interactive round discussion 

AI-Driven Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture: Optimizing Water and Crop Management (with IRRIGOPTIMAL®) 

This exhibition highlights the cutting-edge technologies driving sustainable agriculture in FAO projects across Tajikistan, Ethiopia and beyond, as part of the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI). Explore how AI-powered platforms like IRRIGOPTIMAL® optimize irrigation, monitor crop health, and manage environmental variables such as insects, nutrients, and CO₂ levels. Through the integration of scientific research and precision technologies, these solutions support farmers in addressing the impacts of climate change, enhancing productivity, and fostering resilience in agricultural systems—crucial steps towards global food security and sustainable farming. 

Strengthening agricultural innovation capacities across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific: Discover & Play with FAO & Tropical Agriculture Platform’s Portfolio

The Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP), a G-20 initiative led by FAO, funded by the EU, and supported by over 50 partners, will showcase its efforts in promoting agricultural innovation at national, regional, and global levels. The session will feature concrete examples and a gaming experience, including a small food gift for participants — an innovation in itself, brought to the SIF from a local community in Colombia! The audience will have the opportunity to explore how FAO and TAP partners support countries and regional organizations in strengthening their agricultural innovation systems through inclusive capacity development initiatives that empower local stakeholders. Real-world examples from the FAO & TAP portfolio, particularly from the nine countries of the TAP-AIS project (Burkina Faso, Malawi, Eritrea, Rwanda, Senegal, Colombia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Pakistan), will highlight the multifaceted nature of innovation, ranging from policy dialogues to Participants will be encouraged to share their insights on driving impactful innovation in agrifood systems and to connect and collaborate with TAP. 

Crossing the Scaling 'Valley of Death' by Blending Community Led Solutions and Scientific Innovations to Advance Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Growth. 

The Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative at Virginia Tech will present the latest trends in global agricultural productivity growth. This interactive session will explore the challenges to getting scientific discovery and innovation off the proverbial 'shelf' and 'into the field'. Featuring successful examples from our partners, we will present how blending community led solutions and scientific innovations into bundles alongside distribution, socio-economic, and policy tools help to scale adoption of sustainable agricultural productivity tools. The audience will be engaged to identify inclusive opportunities to bridge the scaling 'valley of death', where needed innovations may languish and die out before reaching widespread adoption. 

Innovative crop management in different agroecological scenarios 

The session "Innovative Crop Management in Different Agroecological Scenarios" at SIF 2024 showcases interdisciplinary approaches to enhancing agricultural resilience and productivity. It includes research on mitigating water scarcity in Cabo Verde through crop diversification and landscape agronomy; genome editing innovations improving tomato sweetness and resistance to pests in both tomatoes and basil; and the use of digital agriculture technologies to optimize disease and nutrient management in vegetable and ornamental crops. This session illustrates how innovation can transform diverse agroecological settings and contribute to sustainable food systems. 

Exploring the Mysterious World of Soil Microorganisms to Enhance Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability and Agroecosystem Resilience 

The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) will lead a journey into the hidden world of soil microorganisms, showcasing the potential of tailored microbial consortia to improve crop sustainability, enhance ecosystem resilience, and foster social and economic development. 

 

Sprout Power: unlocking the antioxidant and Microbiome-boosting benefits of Plant-based Nutraceuticals for health and wellness  

The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) will champion a new trend in the consumption of functional foods by utilizing fresh sprouts from various botanical origins, with particular attention to traditional, local and wild edible species, promoting well-being, and encouraging healthier dietary choices. 

Insects and bacteria as allies to fight insect pests and vectors 

Natural enemies and certain bacterial endosymbionts of insects can be safely exploited to fight insect pests or vectors by suppressing their populations or reducing their capability to transmit viruses to humans and other living beings. These highly specific biocontrol methods aim at pursuing at the same time effectiveness, safety, and sustainability and represent a new frontier for pest and vector control. 

 16:00 – 17:00

| CNR 

Breaking New Ground: Advancing Research Frontiers from Field Production to Human Nutrition for a Sustainable Future. The role of the National Research Council of Italy 

The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) conducts cutting-edge research in the agri-food sector, driving a path towards sustainability from field to fork. 

The journey will begin with the development of new sensors and remote sensing technologies for sustainable resource management in agriculture, followed by molecular markers as a tool to support the evaluation of ecosystem services in agriculture. It will then explore the use of AI to breed tomato and cereal varieties that are better adapted and more nutritious. The final step will focus on new technologies toward protein transition and on consumer engagement strategies to raise awareness and encourage informed choices. 

New model for supporting agrifood systems transformation and accelerate SDGs 

SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme provides a new model to support agrifood systems transformation through the development of scalable and replicable business instruments, which support enterprises to go digital and to reach their economic targets, while contributing to accelerating SDG implementation in their local context. 

Seeding The Future:  Introducing The Annual 1Mio $ Global Food System Challenge And A New Global Food System Innovation Library And Network.  

The Session will inform about Seeding The Future's core initiatives and its annual $1Mio Global Food System Challenge, conducted in partnership with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). The Challenge incentivizes high impact innovations that can transform food systems to enable equitable access to safe and nutritious food that is affordable, appealing and trusted, and improve the health of people and the environment. In addition, a beta version of our new AI-supported and searchable Global Food Systems Innovation Library and Network will be introduced.  

Nuclear Techniques for Sustainable Agrifood Systems 

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre invites attendees to explore the role of nuclear science in advancing sustainable agrifood systems. The booth, hosted by the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre will feature interactive displays, and the possibility to learn more thanks to live discussions with leading experts to gain insights into how these technologies transform agrifood systems worldwide. 

Venezuela: Innovation in Food Production for Better Nutrition /  
Venezuela: Innovación en la producción de alimentos para una mejor Nutrición 

Innovation for mitigation – Supporting Mongolian pastoralists to reduce livestock emissions 

The SCALA programme, led by FAO and UNDP, supports 12 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America in “Scaling up Ambition in Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans”. In 2023, SCALA hosted a hackathon featuring 16 teams from 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which was won by Team Splicing (Mongolia). Team Splicing pitched the creation of an app to support nomadic pastoralists to reduce emissions from livestock, one of the highest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Mongolia. With initial seed funding from SCALA and additional funding from the FAO Office of Innovation’s Elevate programme, the team was able to engage key stakeholders and build user requirements, and is now moving into the design and building phase of the app. This exhibition will feature a short video of the innovation process involved in creating a prototype app and interactive discussions with members of SCALA and OIN. 

Reboot The Earth: Empowering Youth Innovation for Climate Action 

Reboot The Earth is an innovative social coding event that brings together a diverse group of young individuals to create and enhance technology solutions addressing the current climate crisis. Co-hosted by Salesforce and United Nations Secretariat entities including the UN Youth Office, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Office of Information and Communications Technology, and the Digital Public Goods Alliance, this initiative aims to harness the power of technology and youth innovation to combat climate change. 

DJI Agras solution in modern agricultural industry  

DJI applied the world's superior drone technology to agriculture and founded DJI Agriculture in 2015. We pledge to protect the planet and continue to reduce waste and loss in agricultural production by creating better tools and programs. In doing so, we aim to enable more practitioners to carry out agricultural production in a more environmentally friendly way exist with the land in harmony. 

Agritech: The Future of Agricultural Innovation, Precision, and Sustainability 

Our National Research Center in Agriculture focuses on providing an overview of existing and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of agriculture and livestock farming. We are dedicated to promoting precision agriculture and sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact. Through cutting-edge research, we aim to improve the efficiency and resilience of agricultural systems while ensuring environmental sustainability. 

Multi-level data for evidence-based actions-on-the-ground 

Get familiar with FAO’s newest Land Degradation Neutrality Planning and Information System! At the GEF-7 Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program we are integrating multi-source data to tailor interventions right where they’re needed. Our innovative survey in Southern Africa, enhanced with a behaviour change component, dives deep into what drives farmers' decisions and how these impact sustainable land management! Combined with geospatial data, we can see where land degradation/recovery is taking place and how farmers' behaviours and decisions are contributing to these patterns. The insights we gain not only transform local practices but offer a roadmap for farmers, landscape coordinators and decision-makers everywhere to cultivate change together!