Page 8 - Digital Agriculture: A Standards Snapshot

Foreword – FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO) is committed to addressing the global challenges
in agrifood systems, including food security, sustainable
agriculture, and rural development. In collaboration with the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the ITU/FAO
Focus Group on AI and IoT for Digital Agriculture (FG-AI4A)
was established to explore the potential of harnessing the
power of emerging digital technologies and AI to transform
agricultural practices and improve food systems worldwide.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of
Things (IoT) in agriculture offers unprecedented opportunities
to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. By leveraging these technologies, we
can develop innovative solutions to address the pressing issues of hunger, malnutrition, and
environmental degradation. This report highlights the collaborative efforts of the ITU/FAO Focus
Group on AI and IoT for Digital Agriculture (FG-AI4A), which has been instrumental in laying
the groundwork for technical standardization and promoting the ethical use of technology in
agriculture.

The FAO's extensive experience in digitalization and transformation of agrifood systems,
combined with ITU's expertise in digital technologies and standardization, has created a unique
synergy that ensures the development of practical and globally applicable standards. These
standards will be designed to promote innovation, enhance data quality and integration, and
ensure the ethical deployment of AI and IoT in agriculture.

As we move forward, the FAO remains dedicated to fostering collaboration among stakeholders,
including policymakers, technology developers, and agricultural experts, to maximize the
benefits of digital agriculture. By addressing the complexities and challenges inherent in this
rapidly evolving field, we aim to create a more sustainable, productive, and resilient agricultural
industry capable of addressing global challenges such as food security, resource management,
and climate change.

We hope this report serves as a valuable resource for all stakeholders and contributes to the
ongoing efforts to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

Dejan Jakovljevic
CIO and Director, Digital FAO and Agro-informatics Division
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

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