3 strategies that can future-proof the global food system

8 March 2023. Three fundamental actions can accelerate our ability to future-proof the global agri-food ecosystem:

1. Incentivize thoughtful but mandatory digitalization of the agriculture value chain to maximize visibility and transparency across the food system.
2. Mass adoption of climate-smart agriculture and regenerative agriculture practices.
3. Enabling economies to build food self-sufficiency.

Accelerated digitalization of agriculture

Real-time visibility and transparency across the global agri-food value chain are imperative, which can only be enabled by accelerating digital transformation. This transformation has to involve every stakeholder – growers, agribusinesses and governments – allowing them to make informed decisions to maximize per-acre value, grow nutritious food sustainably and enable sustainable farming communities.

Today, the use of digital tools and technology in agriculture, enabled by satellite imagery, the internet of things (IoT), data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and the cloud, can provide real-time information on food production, distribution and consumption. The smart agriculture revolution has already begun and green shoots are visible not only in the developed world but also in major smallholder farmer markets of Asia and Africa.

Climate-smart agriculture and regenerative practices

As countries seek ways to bolster the resilience of agroforestry, agriculture and aquaculture against the damaging impacts of climate change, they are increasingly turning to climate-smart agriculture and regenerative practices. These innovative approaches leverage modern technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources and increase food security while safeguarding the environment.

Building food self-sufficiency

Equipping farmers with digital tools is critical to improving farming yield and achieving food self-sufficiency, as highlighted by the Ukraine crisis.

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa has implemented an ambitious digital farming initiative that has benefited 3 million farmers across Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique, promoting sustainable development in the region.

Advanced AI models can also assist governments in predicting and mapping crop and food stock supply against anticipated demand, as demonstrated by the Nigerian government’s wheat production analysis.

With agriculture being one of the least digitized industries, mass digitization is crucial for reversing the vulnerabilities faced by the global food system and ensuring access to nutritious food as a fundamental human right.