FAO: Digital innovations should be accessible to farms of all sizes

Digital innovations should be accessible to farms and enterprises of all sizes, Viorel Gutu, FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, said during a panel discussion at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026) in Baku.

Report quotes him as saying access to technology depends on four principles. "The first is affordability, effective access and the necessary conditions: connectivity, reasonable costs, access to data and digital services. The second is investment in digital skills and advisory capacity. The third is reducing the costs of adopting technologies through various means. The fourth is developing solutions together with farmers," Gutu explained.

The FAO representative noted the organization's close cooperation with Azerbaijan. According to him, FAO has provided significant support for the introduction of the Smart Village concept, the digitalization of seed management and plant protection, as well as the development of laboratory facilities and quality-control infrastructure.