Bridging Innovation and Policy: FAO’s Nikola Trendov Delivers Digital Agriculture Insights at ITCILO Master’s Programme

The integration of digital technologies into agriculture is reshaping the way food is produced, processed, and distributed. As part of the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) Master’s Programme in Technology and Public Policy, Nikola Trendov, Digital Agriculture Specialist at FAO, delivered a comprehensive two-day lecture combined with interactive workshop on Digital Agriculture Transformation, emphasizing the role of policies and strategies in fostering digital innovation in the agrifood sector. 

Trendov’s session aimed to equip participants—ranging from policymakers to agribusiness professionals—with a deeper understanding of the opportunities, challenges, barriers and risks associated with digital technologies in agrifood systems. His lecture underscored how governments can harness digital technologies—such as AI, big data, and remote sensing—to enhance agricultural productivity, improve market access, and ensure food safety. 

The session was structured around six key modules that guided participants through the complex landscape of digital agriculture transformation. It began with an exploration of Agriculture 4.0 and the Digital Shift, highlighting how the Fourth Industrial Revolution is reshaping agricultural practices. This was followed by an in-depth look at the Digital Agriculture Transformation Roadmap, focusing on the foundational enablers of transformation such as connectivity, digital capabilities, data governance institutional frameworks, etc. Participants then examined technological innovations, including the concepts of precision agriculture, smart farming, and digital farming, and their applications across agrifood systems. The lecture also presented FAO’s contribution to digital agriculture and its Members Nations, showcasing a range of digital initiatives, tools, and policy support provided. Further discussion addressed the adoption and barriers among the smallholder farmers, from digital literacy and affordability to infrastructure and financing. Finally, he emphasized the importance of international cooperation, public-private partnerships, and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. 

A core theme of Trendov’s presentation was ensuring that digital transformation leaves no one behind. He highlighted the need for policy frameworks that promote accessibility, affordability, and capacity-building, particularly for smallholder farmers. Moreover, the discussion covered data privacy, interoperability, and the ethical considerations that come with increased digitalization in agrifood systems. 

On the second day, the activity included hands-on practical experience in developing digital agriculture strategies at country level, with exercises including how to conduct comprehensive needs assessments, transforming problems into objectives and priorities into actions. The second-day, participants had the chance to experience simulation of real-case scenario and assigned to develop draft digital agriculture strategies for their respective countries.  

FAO’s involvement in capacity-building initiatives like this ITCILO Master’s Programme demonstrates its commitment to bridging the gap between technology and policy. By engaging with international stakeholders, the organization is helping to shape a more resilient, efficient, and inclusive agrifood system. 

As digital technologies continue to redefine the sector, FAO remains at the forefront, guiding global efforts to leverage innovation for sustainable agriculture and food security.