Italy: Asia and the Pacific’s agricultural innovations take centre stage at the FAO Global Conference on Smart Farming

Country: Italy Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Please refer to the attached file. From policymakers to entrepreneurs, Asia and the Pacific’s agricultural innovations took centre stage at the first-ever FAO Global Conference on Smart Farming . Held from 1 to 3 July 2026 at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, the conference explored ways to scale up smart farming systems while identifying priorities for policy, collaboration and investment to support context-adapted, scalable solutions, particularly for small-scale farmers. “Smart farming is no longer a luxury — it is an imperative. The true value of innovation lies in its ability to deliver measurable results in farmers’ fields under real-world conditions,” said Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. Regional innovations and inclusive solutions Speaking during a session on smart cropping systems for resource-efficient production , Dohong highlighted encouraging examples from Asia and the Pacific, such as nutrient management in rice, sensor-based irrigation, precision land-levelling and automated horticulture. Dohong emphasized that strategic policies are instrumental in creating integrated systems that bring together government, research, markets and financial services. This message was reinforced during the high-level ministerial segment , where delegates discussed policy approaches to scaling up smart farming. “Smart farming is a game changer for Indonesia’s economic transformation,” said Arif Satria, Head of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in a video message. Satria shared how Indonesia has harnessed smart farming to increase agricultural productivity while building inclusive, farmer-centred ecosystems. The conference-side cooking show also showcased products from sago, fish and banana farming communities supported through joint initiatives of FAO and the Government of Indonesia, highlighting the role of innovation in improving livelihoods and promoting local food systems. Accessibility and inclusion emerged as recurring themes throughout the conference, which sought to scale up smart farming without widening existing gaps and to leave no one behind, especially youth, women and small-scale producers. Beyond technological innovation, participants also emphasized that smart farming must remain accessible and inclusive. At the conference’s opening ceremony , Jastine Mae Galang of the Philippines spoke on behalf of youth and farmers. She emphasized that while innovative ideas abounded, gaps in access to knowledge, technology and financial resources continued to limit many from achieving scale and impact. “We need to empower farmers, create opportunities for youth and improve the quality of life of vulnerable groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples and smallholder farmers,” Galang said. Partnerships to scale up smart farming Advancing smart farming solutions requires sustained investment and collaboration among governments, research institutions, the private sector and development partners. During the conference, FAO and the University of Sydney joined forces to help move innovation from research to farmers’ fields, marked by the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU). The conference also showcased innovative solutions from private-sector representatives across the region, such as Kubota (Japan), Sora Technology (Japan) and Digital Green (India). Against this backdrop, Asia and the Pacific remains among the regions most affected by natural hazards, underscoring the need to advance smart farming solutions. “Smart farming is not simply about adopting individual technologies. It is about building integrated systems that combine innovation, data and agronomic knowledge, leading to better decisions and outcomes at the farm level,” said Dohong. FAO continues to support Member Nations in advancing smart farming solutions. Building on the momentum of the Global Conference on Smart Farming, the Organization will also deepen its focus on sustainable agricultural mechanization, including through a [regional conference]( https://www.fao.org/asiapacific/events/events-detail/asia-pacific-conference-on-sustainable-agricultural-mechanization-(apsam/en) to be held in Manila, the Philippines, in November. ________ Asia and the Pacific’s agricultural innovations take centre stage at the FAO Global Conference on Smart Farming Media Contact: Ms. Mahira Afzal , Communications Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) Bangkok, Thailand, Mahira.Afzal@fao.org Ms. Gayatri I Gusti , Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO - Gayatri.Igusti@fao.org
2026-07-09 08:53:58