Publication: Future of Food: Harnessing Digital Technologies to Improve Food System Outcomes
Date
2019-04
ISSN
Published
2019-04
Author(s)
World Bank Group
Abstract
Digital technologies have significant
potential to improve efficiency, equity, and environmental
sustainability in the food system. A range of digital
technologies are already leading to: better informed and
engaged consumers and producers, smarter farms, and improved
public services. Adoption of digital technologies varies
significantly across countries, with lower current adoption
rates in low-income countries. Increasing adoption will
require addressing supply-side factors, such as rural
network coverage and availability of digital applications,
and demand-side factors, including skills and knowledge,
trust, affordability, and complementary investments. While
digital technologies have significant potential they also
pose several risks that need to be addressed including: an
overconcentration of service provider market power; lack of
data privacy; exclusion; and cybersecurity breaches. These
risks cut across all segments of the economy, including the
food system. In addition, digital technologies should not be
viewed as a panacea. Other investments are needed to address
the multiple constraints farmers face and to realize the
potential benefits of digital technologies.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank Group. 2019. Future of Food: Harnessing Digital Technologies to Improve Food System Outcomes. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/31565 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”