AI and Innovation: Transforming Agriculture for a Sustainable Future with the FAO

Vincent Martin defines innovation at the FAO as doing things differently and doing different things. It involves translating science into commercial applications and deploying it effectively on the ground. The ultimate goal is to leverage the power of science and innovation to transform agri-food systems and deliver solutions directly to farmers and those most in need, thereby improving lives and livelihoods. Innovation is not a luxury but a necessity, especially given the exponential, complex, and interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics, and economic crises. Traditional, linear solutions are often insufficient to address the scale and complexity of these problems. The FAO advocates for a shift from reactive, firefighting approaches to proactive, forward-thinking, and holistic strategies that keep pace with the rapid evolution of our world.

The FAO's Elevate program, launched in 2023, incubates field-level innovations. Notable projects include a drone-based air sampling initiative in Southeast Asia to detect pandemic-causing viruses in bat caves, ensuring researcher safety and providing precise data. In Africa, a bioeconomy project utilizes the black soldier fly to convert food waste into animal feed, a circular and sustainable solution that has gained recognition. In Cabo Verde, women fish producers are transforming fish skins into leather for fashion items, creating new livelihoods and valorizing local resources. These examples showcase the diverse range of innovations being explored, with many teams investigating AI for increased production and disease detection, demonstrating creative and effective solutions emerging across the FAO.

Implementing AI and other innovations faces several key challenges. Firstly, rigorous real-world testing is essential, but access to quality local data, crucial for AI system relevance and effectiveness, is often limited. The FAO is exploring how programs like Farmer Field Schools can aid in collecting this field data. Training and education are vital at both national and farmer levels, ensuring users understand not only how to use these systems but also how to integrate them into daily decision-making. A supportive policy framework and national strategies for science, technology, and innovation are critical for sustainable, large-scale deployment. For AI, responsible and ethical use is paramount to avoid reinforcing existing biases and inequalities, making data quality and governance essential. Social context is as important as technical functionality; understanding cultural, economic, and infrastructural barriers to adoption through social and behavioral sciences is key. Innovations are only useful if users have access to smartphones, networks, and the necessary skills, leading the FAO to co-create innovations with users rather than simply transferring technology. Risk aversion is another significant obstacle, as agriculture requires predictability, and farmers cannot afford to gamble on untested tools. The FAO works to mitigate risks by creating safe and progressive pathways for adoption and scaling.

Collaboration, partnerships, and inclusion are the cornerstones for ensuring the international community moves towards the most favorable future scenario. Multilateralism remains the only viable path forward, despite current pressures. The FAO and the UN play a crucial role in supporting and leading global cooperation, ensuring that innovation and technology serve everyone, not just a select few. The FAO's strength lies in its ability to convene diverse actors, including governments, the private sector, research institutions, NGOs, and civil society. A shared commitment is needed to shape the desired future, grounded in open innovation, collective action, and responsible governance. This is not merely about technology but about collective intelligence and working together to anticipate challenges and co-create inclusive, forward-looking solutions.