The guidelines of the C7 line aim to: ensure the systematic dissemination of information using ICTs on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and food, in order to provide ready access to comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed knowledge and information, particularly in rural areas; and public-private partnerships should seek to maximize the use of ICTs as an instrument to improve production (quantity and quality).

The session will present cases which the use of ICTs and innovative solutions for agriculture, livestock, water and others sectors are playing a decisive role in terms of access to information, knowledgement, improving productivity and ensuring new incomes as well as social inclusion for the people in rural areas.

From ending poverty and hunger to responding to climate change and sustaining our natural resources, food and agriculture lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. Over the coming years, the FAO will focus its efforts in assisting all countries and relevant actors in implementing and monitoring the SDGs. FAO’s Strategic Framework draws five main strategic objectives to support the SDG implementation and help farmers, fishers, collectors, pastoralists, women, youth and traditional communities to be more productive, sustainable and resilient. Today, nearly 800 million people are extremely poor and chronically undernourished, while another 1.9 billion are overweight, of which 600 million are obese. In rural areas, the reality is most dramatic, considering that 80% of the world’s hungry and poor live there. FAO believes that food security can be the common thread that links the different challenges the world faces in building a sustainable future.

Applying innovative ways to use ICTs in the rural domain, with a primary focus on agriculture (including farming, fisheries, livestock, forestry, etc.), can boost agricultural and rural development. Improving access to valuable information help agricultural stakeholders to make informed decisions and use the resources available in the most productive and sustainable manner. In a sector that is becoming increasingly knowledge-intensive, having access to the timely information, in the right format, and through the right channels makes a crucial difference in the livelihoods of people involved in agriculture and related fields.

Debate innovative solutions, find new approaches and exchange experiences it’s a moment to make good connections to change the reality of the rural communities, achieving the SDGs because bridging the digital divide and information gaps, farmers can better decide their crop selection and choice of markets. This session will discuss how ICTs can improve rural livelihoods and increase income through lower input cost and improved productivity. There is a huge opportunity to scale up these innovative digital services (provided by ICTs) and drastically increase their impact by bringing them closer to more farmers.