Development of a concept for the establishment of an International Digital Council for Food and Agriculture has been welcomed at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA).
The agriculture ministers of 71 nations have welcomed the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) efforts on the concept and call upon FAO's governing bodies to support a process for its establishment.
The International Digital Council for Food and Agriculture was proposed by 74 agriculture ministers during the GFFA of 2019, who tasked FAO with designing a body able to enhance international cooperation, create synergies and avoid duplication in the fast-paced world of digitalization.
Policy recommendations
The Council will provide structured and strategic policy recommendations on digitalization of food and agriculture, organize efforts to share best practices, and promote interaction among countries and other stakeholders.
The Council will help forge consensus on norms and ultimately lower costs, boost efficiency and contribute to narrowing the world's digital divides, the Director-General said.
Digital technologies in agriculture span a wide array of activities, from food safety, trade finance, credit, customs inspections and consumer awareness. Applications such as distributed ledgers or "blockchain" can make major contributions to traceability and safety in complex value chains. FAO has linked to a blockchain for its ephyto certificate programme for plant and animal health that has been adopted by numerous countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The ministers have issed a final communiqué full of pledges to make trade contribute to global food security and help smallholders access larger value chains.
