Hybrid Event, 01/07/2026 – 03/07/2026
FAO is organizing the Global Conference on Smart Farming: Leveraging data and technology for sustainable agrifood systems from 1 to 3 July 2026 at its headquarters in Rome, Italy, and online.
The three-day conference will explore ways of scaling smart farming systems while showcasing practical innovations that promote youth and women’s entrepreneurship, and digital skills. It will also identify priorities for policy, collaboration, and investment to support context-adapted, scalable solutions, particularly for small-scale farmers.
In the context of this conference, smart farming systems focus on improving the management of agrifood production systems through sustainable practices, efficient input use and resource stewardship. Data, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and precision tools support more informed decision-making and enhanced farm management. This includes optimizing the use of water, fertilizers, pesticides, energy and other inputs while strengthening soil, land and ecosystem health.
The conference will bring together stakeholders from around the world, including FAO Members, policymakers, development partners, and representatives from the private sector, research and academia, civil society, youth and farmers’ organizations.
Objectives
The conference will convene stakeholders to:
- Examine key enabling conditions and constraints for scaling smart farming systems, including data ecosystems, analytics capacity, governance and regulatory frameworks, technology development and transfer, advisory services and institutional coordination that influence adoption at scale.
- Showcase practical experiences, innovations and best practices where the application of data and analytics, artificial intelligence models and services, and emerging technologies strengthens agricultural production systems – improving input efficiency, soil and water management, and overall sustainability.
- Prioritize youth and women engagement and entrepreneurship as a core pillar, with a focus on skills development and innovation that closes the digital divide and enables full participation in today’s digital society and economy.
- Identify priorities for collaboration, policy action and investment that support context‑adapted, scalable and sustainable adoption of smart farming solutions – particularly for small-scale farmers and unsustainable agrifood systems – bridging the gap between technological potential and practical implementation.
The conference will be held from Wednesday, 1 to Friday, 3 July 2026. The applicable time zone is Central European Summer Time (CEST/UTC+2).
For more information and registration.