Global Network on Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs

The FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), previously known as Flexible Multi-Partner Mechanism (FMM), is a pooled funding tool that allows resource partners to respond to development challenges in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The FMM sub-programme aims to establish a Global Network Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs in countries to mainstream digital agriculture innovation while promoting the digital transformation of agri-food systems.

In each country, the respective Digital Agriculture Innovation Hub will be designed considering the national strategic priorities, digital maturity in the country, and local needs. Then various national Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs will be interconnected to share knowledge, experience, and expertise.

The goal of the network is to interconnect national hubs by providing support and enhancing the capacities of farmers and value chain actors, with a focus on youth and women.

The objectives of the sub-programme is to:

1. Create national digital agriculture innovation hub models to spearhead digital innovation programs in agriculture that meet local needs; 
2. Develop digital agriculture solutions at the national or regional level to support the agri-food systems transformation; 
3. Facilitate the creation of sustainable business models to support innovation projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) that allow for leveraging resources and maximizing impacts through multi-stakeholders engagements; 
4.  Support the capacity development of government institutions to formulate digital agriculture strategies, policies, or programmes to mainstream digital innovation in agri-food systems and establish sustainable national digital agriculture innovation hubs; 
5. Facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing within the national Hub and across the global network through organizing joint events and platforms.

The Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs will synergize and complement FAO's current efforts in the countries, such as the Hand-in-Hand and the 1000 Digital Villages initiatives.

Status of the sub-programme

• Recipient countries: Dominica, Ethiopia, Grenada, Morocco
• Duration: 01 September 2021 - 31 December 2023
• Contribution: 1 020 000
  

"The hubs (apart from Ethiopia) are in the start-up phase. Grenada and Domenica just launched last week. A global network is being built with the aim of creating a cohesive
network." Barbara della Rovere Communications Specialist at Governance and Policy Support Unit FAO 

The DAIH are funded by the FAO Flexible Voluntary  which is a fund that has European Donors in. Thembani Malapela Knowledge and Information Management Officer at FAO

Major results

The sub-programme will accelerate the digital transformation of agri-food systems increasing productivity, managing and mitigating climate risks, and diversifying rural economies in a sustainable economic, social, and environmental manner.

Producers and value chain actors will become more competitive by adopting innovative digital agriculture approaches and technologies t o enhance productivity and market access. In addition, government institutions will be supported to formulate or update digital agriculture strategies, policies, and programmes.

Ethiopia, 30/03 Enabling Environment for Digital Agriculture and Innovation in Ethiopia

Dominica,Grenada 28/03 The Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs and Regional E-agriculture for the Caribbean, is a post COVID – 19 Mechanism, which aims to promote resilient agri-food projects. These two projects will support ongoing initiatives implemented by the Government of Grenada with FAO’s technical support.

Morocco developed a Green-Generation 2020-2030 Strategy to address economic, social, and environmental issues in the agri-food sector. Through digital transformation the Moroccan government aims to improve the economic inclusion of young people in rural areas and enhance export markets. The country has supported digitalization projects that are in line with the priorities of this strategy. The new FMM Subprogramme will contribute to the adoption of innovative solutions and the reduction of the digital divide, which will enable the country to create additional jobs. See also MOROCCO: 10 start-ups rewarded for their innovations in sustainable agriculture

SET-UP AND PLANNING

The sub-programme is coordinated by the FAO Office of Innovation and supported by a Task Force comprised of:

1. technical officers in subregional or FAO Representation Offices; 
2. technical officers from the FAO Headquarters' units with a mandate in the issues addressed by the sub-programme; 
3. representatives from the PPA BP5 on Digital Agriculture; and (iv) a gender focal point.

19 December 2022. Event by the Global Network Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs on sharing experiences about Innovation Challenges highlights the need of cross-sector collaboration and investing to youth.