The vision of a digital public infrastructure for agriculture

Agriculture faces the competing challenges of enhancing productivity and raising the incomes of smallholder farmers, while simultaneously also addressing concerns related to environmental sustainability. Digital technologies have the potential to tackle these challenges and transform agri food systems in unprecedented ways. This policy brief advocates for the conceptualisation and development of digital public infrastructure for agriculture for a more equitable and responsible development pathway for agriculture in the G20 countries. The brief highlights the role of the G20 and the need for leadership, financial backing, and orchestration of initiatives across stakeholders to realise this vision while also stressing the need for public-private partnerships, ethical safeguards, and strong governance mechanisms.