World Food Forum: Inclusive innovation takes centre stage at Science and Innovation Forum 2024

Rome, Italy: The Science and Innovation Forum (SIF 2024), a key pillar of the World Food Forum 2024 alongside the Global Youth Forum and the Investment Forum, concluded its three-day discussions on Friday at the Rome headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event focused on making advanced technologies accessible to small-scale producers.

Held under the theme “Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind,” the third edition of SIF brought together a diverse group of participants. These included prominent scientists, innovation experts, policymakers, small-scale producers, indigenous people, women, youth, and the private sector. The forum aimed to foster a wide range of perspectives rooted in scientific evidence.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasised in his opening address, “Science, technology, and innovation are key accelerators of agrifood systems transformation, but they must be inclusive to ensure that the transition is just and equitable.”

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As agrifood systems worldwide confront challenges like the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, resource degradation, population growth, and shifting diets, new technologies hold significant potential for creating solutions. However, these innovations must have a broad impact, ensuring that everyone benefits equitably and sustainably.

The forum encouraged inclusive discussions and demonstrated how science and innovation can transform agrifood systems. During the closing session on Friday, Costa Rica’s Agricultural Minister, Victor Carvajal Porras, shared real-world examples of how inclusive agrifood innovations positively impacted his country.

Gene Editing

The forum opened on Thursday with a session dedicated to gene editing technologies. Participants explored the benefits, adoption, and diffusion of these technologies while discussing their risks for small-scale producers and the related regulatory and policy considerations.

Research indicates that gene editing can enhance precision in breeding methods, leading to the rapid development of improved plant varieties and animal breeds. This technology has the potential to produce crops and livestock that are more resistant to pests and diseases and better adapted to climate change. Examples of gene-edited products include vitamin A-enriched bananas, hypoallergenic milk, gluten-free wheat, disease-resistant salmon, drought-resistant grapevines, and cacao with fungal disease resistance.

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However, environmental, food safety, ethical, and regulatory concerns persist. FAO published a report in 2022 addressing these aspects, followed by a 2023 report on food safety issues related to gene editing in food production. The report also evaluated the applicability of Codex Alimentarius principles and guidelines for food safety assessments. In his remarks, QU stressed the importance of ensuring that these technologies benefit all food producers, including family farmers. He also called for increased science communication and education to better inform the public about these technologies.

Artificial Intelligence

The forum’s afternoon session on artificial intelligence (AI) highlighted the need for inclusivity. The session brought together diverse viewpoints and explored how AI could shape the future of agrifood systems. AI is already transforming food production, harvest, and distribution processes, as well as fisheries and forestry. However, for AI to reach its full potential, it must be inclusive and ethical.

In February 2020, FAO, Microsoft, IBM, and the Holy See signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics, emphasising the need for responsible AI. To reduce poverty and eliminate hunger, AI must bridge the digital, rural, and gender divides rather than widen them. Achieving this goal requires effective governance and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

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FAO has already integrated AI and machine learning into several of its products, such as the WaPOR portal, which monitors agriculture water productivity in Africa and the Near East, and the Agricultural Stress Index System, which uses satellite data to detect early signs of drought. Other tools include the SEPAL system, which tracks small-scale changes in forests to identify fires or illegal logging, and the Fall Armyworm app, which helps farmers detect infestations early. FAO’s Data Lab also leverages AI-driven tools and unconventional data sources to modernise statistical processes supporting agrifood systems transformation.

Reports Launched at SIF

SIF 2024 also launched two reports: the WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG) report titled Digital Technologies for Multi-dimensional Youth Engagement in Agrifood Systems Transformation, and a foresight report titled Shaping Sustainable Agrifood Futures: Pre-emerging and Emerging Technologies and Innovations for Impact. Additionally, the forum introduced the Programme on Accelerator Mentorship for Women-led SMEs in Africa, part of the joint FAO-International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) initiative aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in the region.

Photo credit: ©FAO/Pier Paolo Cito

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