Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas
Overview of digital technology applications in agri-food systems
Description
Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas is a comprehensive status report that examines how digital applications, platforms and data-driven tools are reshaping agricultural production, value chains and rural livelihoods. The report aims to identify the different scenarios where the process of digital transformation is taking place in agriculture. In addition, enablers are identified, which are the factors that allow adopting and integrating changes in the production and decision-making processes. These enablers include human, social, and ecosystem-level capacities that allow digital technologies to be adopted, used, and scaled effectively in agriculture, once basic conditions such as infrastructure, affordability, and policies are in place. Finally identified through cases, existing literature and reports demonstrate how substantive changes are taking place in the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture.
Technology
The resource reviews digital technologies including AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT sensors, drones, remote sensing, robotics, mobile applications and big data analytics.
Target
The resource serves academics, policymakers, civil society organizations, farm advisors, and agribusinesses seeking to understand digitalization trends across agricultural systems. As of December 2025, the status report received 13 985 downloads.
Business model
The resource is publicly available and free of charge as part of FAO’s knowledge portfolio.
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
