Digitalization of Agrifood Systems Program
Context
The growing availability of digital solutions has been transforming different areas of human life, and agrifood systems are no exception. The progressive incorporation of digital solutions into the production, processing, distribution and marketing of food and other agricultural products marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of agrifood systems.
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Digitalization offers the most promising approach to transform agrifood systems in light of current and future challenges. Digital solutions will undoubtedly yield considerable benefits in terms of production, sustainability and inclusion. However, given existing gaps, digitalization could also become a contributing factor to exclusion.
The digital transformation of agrifood systems has just begun, but it is accelerating and is inevitable. Therefore, the time is ripe to drive dynamic and inclusive digitalization, in order to harness its benefits and mitigate its threats.
IICA Digitalization of Agrifood Systems Program
Based on the understanding that digitalization is the most transformative process that agrifood system stakeholders will face in the coming years, and in alignment with our mission, IICA has prioritized this topic on its technical cooperation agenda. To that end, and within the framework of its 2022-2026 Medium-term Plan, IICA has created the Digitalization of Agrifood Systems Hemispheric Program.
The purpose of IICA’s Digitalization of Agrifood Systems Program is to motivate and support Member States in digitalizing their agrifood systems, as a necessary process for their transformation. Through technical cooperation of excellence, IICA will foster the dynamic and inclusive digitalization of agrifood systems in the Americas.
Program guidelines
With a view to meeting the Program’s objectives, three lines of action have been established, which guide and define the type of technical cooperation actions that will be carried out: