In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with three Italian research institutions: National Research Council (CNR), Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), and National Agency for New Technologies, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). The partnership works to enhance sustainable food production and improve nutrition. In 2018, the collaboration grew to include Italian Institute for Environmental Research and Protection (ISPRA). The partnership aims to raise awareness, develop capacities and foster the exchange of knowledge in areas such as agriculture, climate change, food quality and nutrition, sustainable food systems, sustainable management of land and water, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, the assessment of innovation in rural development programmes, and value chain development through local innovation.

Since the beginning of the collaboration, the  partnership has concentrated its efforts on fostering advocacy, capacity development, innovation and knowledge exchanges in the following areas: integrated sustainable approaches to agricultural production, food and nutrition, processing and value-addition of agri-food products, sustainable use of natural resources (air, soil and water) and biodiversity conservation. Going forward, the parties will continue to concentrate on cross-cutting activities, including innovation, policy, advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity development on themes such as gender and youth empowerment, nutrition, and the linkages between environmental issues and agri-food systems. The collaboration will also focus on participatory tools, methods and approaches, and embrace the Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) perspective.

On June 19, 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Italian Research Institutions (IRIs) organized an event titled "Innovation for Drought and Agriculture." The event brought together experts to discuss the challenges posed by climate change and droughts in agrifood systems. The webinar emphasized the role of innovation in addressing these challenges, highlighting the need for knowledge dissemination, access to reliable data, and the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable and equitable development in agriculture.

The event co-organized by the Italian Research Institutions (IRIs) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (CREA), Agenzia Nazionale per le nuove tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile (ENEA) and the Istituto superiore per la protezione e la ricerca ambientale (ISPRA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) -  allowed nearly 200 participants to discuss and exchange views on the challenges facing agrifood systems due to the increasing impacts of climate change and drought, as well as the crucial role of innovation in supporting and disseminating adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Innovation for drought and agriculture

19 June 2023, FAO Headquarters, Lebanon Room (D209)

Background

The increasing impacts of climate change and the consequences of drought necessitate the development of adaptation and mitigation measures across various aspects of the agrifood systems. Research and technological innovation are considered essential means to avoid economic and social crisis and achieve sustainability. The actions should focus on cross-cutting activities, including policy, knowledge sharing, capacity development with specific considerations to health, nutrition, gender and youth empowerment relevant to drought management and mitigation in agrifood systems. This joint event on innovation for drought and agriculture will focus on participatory and innovative tools, methods and approaches relevant to drought management in agriculture.

The event directly contributes to the Memorandum of Understanding between FAO and the Italian Research Institutions CNR, CREA, ENEA and ISPRA, with the main objective to help developing countries in building stronger agricultural sectors through the knowledge generation from research and innovation. The main aspects to be discussed during the joint event include: (i) key impacts of drought on agriculture and raising public awareness on this topic; (ii) elaborate on initiatives related to innovations in technological, institutional, social, and policy dimensions to address the impacts of drought on agriculture for the transition towards sustainable agrifood systems.

Discussion themes

1. New Solutions for Irrigation to optimize the management of water resources
2. Biotechnologies for the improvement of performance under water stress conditions
3. Droughts, water stress and water availability: current situation and what to expect in the future due to climate change and human pressures
4. Empowering communities with precision agriculture and climate seasonal forecast to address climate change challenges in developed and developing countries
5. Food and Consumers Ratio to reduce waste and improve the diet with products with a lower water footprint

Please find here the recording