The recently released 2022 edition of the State of Food and Agriculture report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) delved into the realm of agriculture automation. The annual flagship report explored how automation in our agrifood systems can play a significant role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and offered insights to policymakers on maximizing the benefits and mitigating the risks associated with automation.
Unpacking Agricultural Automation
Agricultural automation, encompassing elements from tractors to artificial intelligence, is crucial for boosting the efficiency and environmentally-friendly nature of food production. Despite its potential benefits, it may exacerbate inequalities if it remains inaccessible to small-scale producers and other marginalized groups.
Key Findings of the Report
The FAO’s report scrutinised 27 case studies worldwide, representing diverse technologies. Out of these, only 10 service providers were found to be profitable and financially sustainable. It revealed an unequal progress toward mechanization across regions, as indicated by the number of tractors per 1,000 hectares of arable land.
High-income countries in North America, Europe and Oceania had highly mechanized systems by the 1960s. Low-and middle-income countries, however, lagged behind. Inequalities in the adoption of automation were evident both between and within countries, with sub-Saharan Africa showing particularly limited adoption. For instance, Japan had over 400 tractors per 1,000 hectares of arable land in 2005, while Ghana had a meager 0.4.
Suggestions for Improvement
The report recommended that agricultural automation policies ensure the sustainability and resilience of agrifood systems. Policymakers are urged not to subsidise automation in labour-abundant contexts that could potentially lead to unemployment. Instead, the focus should be on creating a conducive environment for adopting automation. Social protection ought to be given priority for the least skilled workers who are at higher risk of job losses during the transition phase.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization
The FAO, a specialized United Nations agency, leads the global fight against hunger. Every year, World Food Day is celebrated worldwide on 16th October to commemorate the establishment of the FAO in 1945. Based in Rome, Italy, the FAO works alongside sister bodies such as the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
FAO Initiatives and Publications
The FAO’s initiatives include the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and monitoring of the Desert Locust situation globally. It also oversees the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme through the Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC. Moreover, it adopted the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 2001.
In addition to the State of Food and Agriculture report, its flagship publications include The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO), The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), and The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO).
