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.
Citation
“World Bank Group. 2019. Future of Food; Future of Food : Harnessing Digital Technologies to Improve Food System Outcomes. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/31565 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”