From data to harvest: sustainable agrifood ecosystems for food security

Global food security is a pressing challenge that demands sustainable and innovative solutions to ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious food for a growing population. While agricultural advancements have significantly increased yields, they have also contributed to ecological degradation, resource inefficiency and growing food insecurity. Addressing these complex and interconnected issues requires a systems approach that leverages digital technologies to create resilient, equitable and efficient agrifood ecosystems. The WIDYA Technology platform, developed over a decade of research to enhance data and knowledge flows across the agriculture domain, can assist us in unleashing the transformative potential of a Digital Agrifood Ecosystem. The system integrates upstream input supply, cultivation processes, and downstream market linkages, optimizing crop selection, cultivation practices, logistics, and financial services. Leveraging advances in IoT, AI and mobile connectivity, the platform facilitates precision farming, smart farming and real-time market intelligence to address critical challenges such as resource allocation, waste reduction and equitable value distribution. Case studies from Sri Lanka and India illustrate the practical implementation of the WIDYA technology platform, including its role in optimizing irrigation schedules and generating agricultural market intelligence. Despite promising outcomes, challenges such as digital literacy, stakeholder alignment and multidisciplinary collaboration hinder widespread adoption.