AgriTech Observatory recognized as Digital Public Good and ...
The AgriTech Observatory, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for countries in Europe and Central Asia, has been officially recognized as a Digital Public Good (DPG) by the Digital Public Goods Alliance—a multi-stakeholder initiative endorsed by the United Nations to promote open-source technologies that accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This recognition underscores the Observatory’s alignment with the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, which defines Digital Public Goods (DPGs) as “open source software, open data, open AI models, open standards and open content that adhere to privacy and other applicable laws and best practices, do no harm, and help attain the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Comprehensive Resource for Transformation in Agrifood Systems
The Observatory is a virtual open knowledge hub that offers practitioners, policymakers, and researchers the most comprehensive resource to explore, analyze, and monitor digital initiatives supporting transformation in agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia. By making this information widely accessible, FAO aims to provide data and insights to inform research, policymaking, development programmes and investment decisions, identify and promote innovative digital solutions addressing regional agricultural challenges, and encourage the adoption of transformative technologies in agrifood systems.
“The FAO AgriTech Observatory makes it easier to see what’s really happening in digital agriculture across the region,” said Daniela DiGianantonio, FAO Head of Digital Agriculture for Europe and Central Asia. “It’s not just a map of digital initiatives – it’s a way to understand what works, where and why, so we can better support farmers and policymakers in navigating the digital shift.”
Interactive Dashboard and Data Accessibility
The platform offers an interactive dashboard to let users explore digital agriculture initiatives by country, technology, or theme, thus making it easy to filter, compare, and explore what digital solutions and other initiatives are out there. It ensures open and transparent access to its content also through the FAO Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform and Data Catalogue, enabling all institutions to integrate its knowledge. One prominent example of this interoperability is the integration with the Digital AgriHub platform, which now features all applicable AgriTech Observatory-identified solutions deployed in low- and middle-income countries, showcasing the value of open data across platforms.
AgriTech Observatory Surpasses 500 Initiatives
In parallel with receiving digital public good status, the AgriTech Observatory has reached a major milestone—surpassing 500 documented digital agriculture initiatives across Europe and Central Asia. Among the 200 newly added initiatives, particular emphasis was on collecting digital solutions aimed at food loss and waste reduction, best practices in smart and digital villages, and on growing the repository of policies and publications in digital agriculture. These thematic areas and initiatives are critical for building more resilient and efficient agrifood systems.
Looking ahead, the AgriTech Observatory aspires to become a truly inclusive and intelligent platform—one that speaks the language of its users by offering multilingual access, learns from the ecosystem it serves through improved data collection from organizations, and harnesses AI to transform data into foresight, helping shape the future of digital agriculture across borders.
FAO and Digital Agri Hub Collaboration Concept Note
