FAO convenes regional dialogue on barriers to AI adoption in agrifood systems

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners, private-sector representatives and farmer organizations from across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region for the second webinar in its Regional AI Dialogue for Agrifood Systems series. The discussion focused on local barriers, last‑mile challenges and human capital constraints affecting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in agrifood systems.

As countries increasingly explore the potential of AI to improve productivity, resource efficiency and decision-making, participants highlighted that progress depends not only on data and infrastructure, but also on skills, institutional capacities and enabling ecosystems. Across the region, persistent challenges includes limited digital literacy, connectivity gaps, language barriers, affordability constraints, and insufficient technical expertise. Issues of trust, data governance and fragmentation of value chains were also highlighted as key barriers, especially for smallholders, cooperatives and small agribusinesses.

The webinar provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to strengthen human capital and accelerate inclusive AI adoption. Discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening digital literacy, promoting locally relevant solutions, investing in last‑mile connectivity, and building inclusive digital ecosystems. Speakers also underlined the need for practical use cases, such as AI-enabled advisory services, data-driven value chains and localized digital platforms that combine technological innovation with human support.

“AI has the potential to transform agrifood systems, but its success depends on people, skills and enabling environments that allow innovation to reach those who need it most,” said Faten Adada, Agriculture and Rural Development Expert and day-to-day manager of the Rural Transformation Team at FAO RNE.

The webinar builds on the first regional dialogue on data ecosystems for AI in agrifood systems and forms part of FAO’s ongoing efforts to promote regional cooperation and responsible innovation for more efficient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems across the NENA region.