G20 agriculture ministers agree to cooperate on promoting digital technologies for more efficient food systems

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At their May 11-12 meeting in Niigata, Japan, G20 agriculture ministers agreed to cooperate in promoting new digital technologies (including robotics, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain), tapping the potential of food value chain (FVC) development, and reducing food loss and waste. These efforts are essential to raise productivity and efficiency in food systems, the ministers said in their joint declaration.

The ministers addressed one of agriculture’s most serious long-term global challenges: Aging farm populations and the exodus of rural youth to urban areas. In Japan, for example, this trend is a factor underlying lower agricultural production; new technologies can boost productivity and help to overcome labor shortages, while attracting youth to better jobs along food value chains. More generally, with innovation and appropriate skills training, the farming and food sectors can become more attractive to youth and create better job opportunities for women—especially in developing countries.

Photo: G20

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