Food system innovations and digital technologies to foster productivity growth and rural transformation
2021
Benfica, Rui; Chambers, Judith A.; Koo, Jawoo; Nin-Pratt, Alejandro; Falck-Zepeda, José Benjamin; Stads, Gert-Jan; Arndt, Channing | https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2631-107X Benfica, Rui; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6442-8581 Chambers, Judith Ann; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3424-9229 Koo, Jawoo; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9144-2127 Nin Pratt, Alejandro; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8604-7154 Falck-Zepeda, Jose; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7982-2271 Stads, Gert-Jan; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2472-6300 Arndt, Channing
This brief looks at food system innovations and digital technologies as important drivers of productivity growth and improved food and nutrition security. The analysis emphasizes a mix of research feasibility and technology-enabling policy factors necessary to realize pro-poor benefits. Given their transformative potential and the urgency of developing the enabling R&D and policy trajectories required for impact, we highlight genome editing bio-innovations, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, to address sustainable agricultural growth; and digital technologies, including remote sensing, connected sensors, artificial intelligence, digital advisory services, digital financial services, and e-commerce, to help guide the operations and decision-making of farmers, traders, and policymakers in agricultural value chains. The analysis points to the need to close critical gaps in R&D investments, capabilities, and enabling policies as well as regulations to accelerate the scaling and adoption of innovations. At the global level, the engagement of low- and middle income countries with global players should be facilitated so as to strengthen intellectual property (IP) access and management of innovations; and North– South, South–South, and triangular cooperation should be promoted to strengthen LMICs’ regulatory capabilities. At the national level, countries need to invest in science-based participatory approaches to identify and adapt technologies to local conditions; close regulatory gaps through evidence-based frameworks that enable the rapid development, employment, and safe use of innovations; close institutional and human capacity gaps by addressing limitations in institutional capacities and coordination, while training a new generation of scientists with the skills needed to develop and deliver innovations; develop an understanding of political economy factors for a nuanced knowledge of actors’ agendas to better inform communications and address technology hesitancy; close digital infrastructure gaps in rural areas by promoting simultaneous investments in digital infrastructure and electrification, reducing data costs, and improving digital literacy; and develop sustainable business models for digital service providers to help them achieve profitability, interoperability, and scale to reach a sustainable critical mass, and thus facilitate the adoption of food systems innovations.
Show more [+] Less [-]Non-PR
Show more [+] Less [-]IFPRI5; UNFSS; CRP2; 1 Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Supply; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; 5 Strengthening Institutions and Governance
Show more [+] Less [-]EPTD; PIM
Show more [+] Less [-]19 pages
Show more [+] Less [-]CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by International Food Policy Research Institute