|
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will launch its flagship State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2022 report at a virtual event on November
2.
This year's edition
investigates the drivers of agricultural automation and analyses the business case for the adoption of digital automation technologies in different agricultural production systems across
the world. It argues that agricultural automation can play an important role in making food production more efficient and more environmentally friendly, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
It identifies several barriers preventing the inclusive adoption of these technologies, particularly by small-scale producers. Based on the analysis, the publication suggests
policies to ensure that disadvantaged groups in developing regions can benefit from agricultural automation and that automation contributes to sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
The report also addresses common concerns that automation can lead to unemployment.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu will deliver opening remarks at 12:35 CET, followed by a presentation of the report by FAO's
Agrifood Economics Division.
A panel discussion with policymakers and academics on the risks that automation may contribute to inequality will follow, with panelists
invited to share their views and suggest policies to provide a level playing field and ensure that automation contributes to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.
FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero Cullen will wrap up proceedings at 13:55 CET.
The event will be webcast here and
can also be followed by registering here.
Journalists interested in interviewing FAO experts about the report may contact the FAO newsroom ([log in to unmask]).
|