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Digitalization for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Potential, Status, and Risks for the MENA Region

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel A. Bahn

    (Food Security Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon)

  • Abed Al Kareem Yehya

    (Food Security Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon)

  • Rami Zurayk

    (Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management and Food Security Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon)

Abstract

Digital technologies offer a potential solution to improve sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—of agri-food systems around the globe. While developed countries have led the innovation and adoption of digital agriculture, the potential impact in developing countries—including in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region—is massive. This article synthesizes existing evidence to review the potential and current contribution of digital technologies to the agri-food sectors in MENA. Digital agriculture shows promise in addressing the key challenges facing the agri-food sector across MENA countries. Improvements in primary production, supply chain and logistics performance, and optimized use of scarce natural resources (notably agricultural water) could be notable, if digital technologies can be implemented as envisioned. Available evidence shows that adoption of digital agriculture is at early stages, generally led by high-value agricultural production targeting domestic markets in Gulf countries and export markets in Mashreq countries. Economic sustainability appears the strongest force for current adoption, with less focus on social or environmental sustainability. Public policies should not only foster the adoption of digital technologies in MENA but also ensure equity of access, transparency of use, data protections, and labor protections. Policymakers should move beyond traditional, production-centric views to deliver also on social and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel A. Bahn & Abed Al Kareem Yehya & Rami Zurayk, 2021. "Digitalization for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Potential, Status, and Risks for the MENA Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3223-:d:517241
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    4. Hoseinzadeh, Siamak & Garcia, Davide Astiaso, 2024. "Can AI predict the impact of its implementation in greenhouse farming?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    5. Yigit Kazancoglu & Cisem Lafci & Anil Kumar & Sunil Luthra & Jose Arturo Garza‐Reyes & Yalcin Berberoglu, 2024. "The role of agri‐food 4.0 in climate‐smart farming for controlling climate change‐related risks: A business perspective analysis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2788-2802, May.
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    7. Stylianos Ioannidis & Christos Karelakis & Zacharias Papanikolaou & George Theodossiou, 2022. "Exploring Digitalisation Adaptation of Agro-food Firms: Evidence from Greece," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 15(1), pages 94-104, July.
    8. Ahmad Bathaei & Dalia Štreimikienė, 2023. "A Systematic Review of Agricultural Sustainability Indicators," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    9. Verónica Saiz-Rubio & Coral Ortiz & Antonio Torregrosa & Enrique Ortí & Montano Pérez & Andrés Cuenca & Francisco Rovira-Más, 2023. "Modelling Vineyard Spraying by Precisely Assessing the Duty Cycles of a Blast Sprayer Controlled by Pulse-Width-Modulated Nozzles," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    10. Nawab Khan & Ram L. Ray & Hazem S. Kassem & Sajjad Hussain & Shemei Zhang & Muhammad Khayyam & Muhammad Ihtisham & Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "Potential Role of Technology Innovation in Transformation of Sustainable Food Systems: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, October.

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