Amplifying Digitalisation For Sustainable Agri-food Systems

Ensuring food security emerges as a critical global imperative, particularly in the present and future uncertain geopolitical and economic circumstances. The contemporary agri-food systems heavily depend on international trade, forging complex distribution networks for agricultural merchandise that significantly shape global food security. Notably, the value of global agricultural exports surged to approximately three times its 2005 figure in 2022. Ironically, agriculture has contributed substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. The issue is worsened by the lack of sustainable agricultural practices and constrained access to technology, finance and markets. Given its inherently interconnected nature, agriculture serves as a commodity that binds the world across regions, economic groups, and wealth divides. Consequently, the agri-food trade carries a notably elevated carbon footprint. Digitalisation has emerged as a critical catalyst in transforming more environmentally sustainable agri-food system pathways. Embracing digital technologies enables farmers to optimise resources through precision farming, fostering efficiency. These solutions also play a pivotal role in diminishing information asymmetry within the system and market. However, a significant challenge lies in amplifying the adoption of digitalisation across global agri-food systems, particularly in developing countries. The leadership of the G20 in the global economy is crucial to ensure that the benefits of digitalisation in agriculture and its trade are accessible to all, leaving no one behind in this transformative journey.