Agro-informatics for agrifood system digital transformation

Agri-food systems serve as the bedrock and critical support for human society’s prosperity and sustainability. However, the confluence of an ever-growing population, climate change, and resource scarcity presents formidable challenges to these systems. Simultaneously, the ongoing digital transformation is exerting profound impacts across various socio-economic sectors. Digital technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and artificial intelligence, hold immense promise for enhancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agri-food systems. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a specialized UN agency dedicated to agri-food systems, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has spearheaded numerous applications and innovations in agroinformatics technologies. In this paper, the author will delve into FAO’s projects and activities that leverage agro-informatics to address the challenges posed by digital transformation in agrifood systems. Additionally, the discussion will explore perspectives and highlight current hot topics related to geospatial applications within this crucial domain.