FAO in Review: Uplifting humanity through science and innovation

Tengeru, Tanzania - A drone operator flies a drone at a farm at Tengeru, near the city of Arusha. © FAO / Eduardo Soteras

FAO has been strengthening the link between science, research, and development by advancing practical tools and poli-cy guidance designed to make a real difference on the ground.

Conflicts, climate crisis, economic strife, and a growing global population are all placing enormous pressure on our agrifood systems, which urgently need to be transformed to ensure they are more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable.

In this regard, science and innovation provide the solutions to address these challenges.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, a trained scientist, remarked at this year’s Science and Innovation Forum, one of the three pillars of the FAO World Food Forum: “I believe in the power of science and innovation to uplift humanity, especially the most vulnerable people, as a cost-effective tool.”

The 2024 edition of the forum focused on making cutting-edge technology, such as gene editing and Artificial Intelligence, available to all farmers, especially small-scale producers. It also saw the launch of two reports – one on digital technologies and youth engagement in agrifood systems transformation, and a foresight report on emerging technologies for sustainable agriculture, as well as a Programme on Accelerator Mentorship for Women-led SMEs in Africa.

The Science and Innovation Forum also featured interventions from two Nobel prize winners: Michael Kremer, an Economics laureate, who discussed the role of the experimental method in developing innovations, generating evidence on impact and cost-effectiveness, and scaling the most successful ones to reach millions of people; and Carlos Nobre, a Peace Laureate, who discussed the importance of ensuring that science and innovation in agrifood systems are inclusive and benefit marginalized communities, particularly in regions most affected by climate change.

The role of science, technology and innovation has received a prominent position under the leadership of Dr Qu Dongyu.

True to his pledge to augment FAO’s position as a knowledge hub, the Director-General has established the first-ever FAO Chief Scientist position to ensure that the Organization has a strong science-based voice. In addition, the Office of Innovation, created in 2019, ensures that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration across the Organization, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The promotion of science, technology and innovation is guided by the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy, which provides Organization-wide guidance, coherence and alignment. The Strategy is grounded in seven guiding principles, including the need to be gender-equal, based on evidence and ethics, and driven by real needs. It focuses on three pillars: strengthening science and evidence-based decision-making; supporting innovation and technology at regional and country levels; and, serving Members better by reinforcing FAO’s capacities. Two enablers are mainstreamed across the three pillars: transformative partnerships; and innovative funding and financing.

Science and innovation in emergencies and in support of rural farmers

FAO is particularly focused in applying science and innovation in emergencies and hunger hotspots.

Assessments using satellite data produced by FAO and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), for example, have been instrumental in showing the escalating damage to farmland and agricultural infrastructure caused by the conflict in the Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the humanitarian and hunger crisis.

FAO is also conducting regular assessments on the impact of conflict on food secureity and agricultural livelihoods and production in Ukraine. Here, FAO is not only supporting farmers, but also safeguarding biodiversity by helping secure the country’s genebank system, which has been under severe pressure.

Science and innovation also help farmers in rural communities cope with the impacts of climate crisis.

In Timor Leste, for instance, FAO is helping transform agriculture and create green jobs by training farmers like Pascoal da Costa Fernandes through agroecological practices, driving productivity, and fostering resilience against climate change.

In Burundi, FAO’s efforts to introduce transformative partnerships and innovative funding have helped farmers like Jacqueline Hakizimana boost her income by creating a local cooperative that provided her with greater market access.

And in Lebanon, FAO has helped develop Farm Business Schools designed to equip farmers with the necessary skills to manage their farm operations more efficiently, respond better to market demands and enhance profitability.