Under the banner "Agriculture Goes Digital – Smart Solutions for Future Farming", the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture is being staged for the eleventh time within the framework of the International Green Week.

Taking into account the concerns of those who work in agriculture

It was the first time the Chancellor had attended the Forum. In her address, she pointed out that digitalisation offers fantastic opportunities to bring together the imperatives of sustainably managing the environment and natural resources, while ensuring economic efficiency. This will need international cooperation and an environment that provides legal certainty and justice, and takes account of the concerns of those who work in agriculture. The Forum makes an important contribution to this, declared Angela Merkel.

To ensure that the full potential of digitalisation is used in Germany, she continued, the relevant infrastructure must be put in place. Many large farms already make use of digital options. Now there must be more focus on smaller and medium-sized farms.

From 17 to 19 January 2019, more than 2,000 actors from the fields of business and industry, science and research, civil society and up to 70 ministers of agriculture from around the world will be coming together in Berlin at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA).

Tapping the opportunities offered by digitalisation

Digital technology offers the potential to tackle hunger in the world more effectively, while making more sustainable use of limited resources. It can also ensure animal welfare, better quality food and improved information for consumers.

But it also raises questions, regarding better access to technology of this sort for farmers, data security and access to data. Forum participants will be discussing these issues and adopting recommendations for action.