FAO RNE highlights pathways for impactful and inclusive AI in agrifood systems at Sahara 2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Near Eact and North Africa participated in the panel discussion “Impactful AI in Agrifood Systems” held during the Sahara 2026 Exhibition, bringing together experts from research, government and the private sector to discuss how artificial intelligence can support agrifood systems transformation.

Moderated by Dr. Rida Shibli, Executive Secretary of the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), the panel featured Dr. Didem Kökden from Türkiye’s General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Dr. Samar Attaher from ICARDA, Omar Abdellatif from Domiatec Agri Group, and Faten Adada, Regional Programme Officer at FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE).

Responding to the question of how AI can strengthen agricultural advisory services and deliver value to farmers, particularly smallholders, Faten Adada highlighted FAO’s work to advance sustainable and innovative rural advisory services across the region, including through the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS). She noted that FAO’s approach is guided by the Digital Agriculture and AI Innovation Roadmap, which promotes user-centred, inclusive, interoperable, sustainable and safe AI solutions.

Faten Adada explained that FAO RNE develops its regional AI work through a continuous cycle that connects evidence generation, partnership building and practical implementation. This includes identifying regional priorities and informing policymakers through the Regional Digital Agriculture and AI Dialogue for Agrifood Systems in the NENA Region, convening governments, researchers, innovators and development partners, and supporting the development of practical solutions such as digital advisory services and AI-enabled applications.

To demonstrate how this approach translates into practice, Faten Adada highlighted SheGrows AI, an FAO-supported pilot in Minya, Egypt, designed to strengthen agricultural advisory services for women farmers. Delivered through WhatsApp in Egyptian Arabic and supporting voice, text and image interactions, the solution provides timely and practical agricultural advice while complementing, rather than replacing, extension services.

Example of SheGrows AI illustrates how regional dialogue, partnerships and innovation can be transformed into concrete services that respond to local needs. The pilot demonstrates the importance of combining trusted agricultural knowledge, human expertise, accessible digital channels and user-centred design to ensure that AI delivers tangible benefits for rural communities.

“For FAO, investing in the development of enabling conditions is as important as investing in the technologies themselves,” said Faten Adada.

She also emphasized the importance of investing in women and youth, noting that strengthening their digital and entrepreneurial skills can accelerate rural digital transformation and support more sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems across the region.