Holistic digital agriculture strategy crucial in Arab region’s path towards SDG 2

AMMAN — In a recent panel discussion, experts called for a holistic digital agriculture strategy that empowers essential stakeholders.

The event took place during the recent Digital Agricultural Solution Forum, and included contributors such as Gerard Sylvester (FAO), Karim Abdelghani (ITU), Vinay Vutukuru (World Bank), and Ayman Elsherbiny (UN-ESCWA).

The panellists all emphasised the need to create digital agriculture policies that enhance the sector’s potential and help mitigate the impact of climate change on farmers and food-production. 

Globally, recent data on food security and agricultural issues have shown negative trends. In 2021, an estimated 154 million people faced severe food insecurity, an increase of 11.6 million since 2020. 

The Arab region in specific seems unlikely to achieve the Zero Hunger by 2030 goal outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2). Long-term issues of water scarcity and conflict have been exacerbated by supply chain challenges and economic challenges such as increases in food prices, the session heard.

Digital Agriculture offers a way to get back on track to achieve SDG 2, enabling more efficient, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. 

Young people will need to be equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the smart agricultural sector of the future. By doing so, the agricultural sector will be better placed to face the challenges of the 21st century, according to the panellists.