Digital agrifood ecosystems: Digital platforms for inclusive, efficient, sustainable food systems to achieve food security

Digital agrifood ecosystems can assist in ensuring food security in a challenging global environment. Digitalisation resulting from the digitisation of various agricultural activities has provided a way to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the agrifood supply chains. A digital agrifood ecosystem integrates the upstream and downstream supply chains and the cultivation systems to maximise efficiency through proper coordination, maximising yield and minimising food wastage and transaction cost. We have developed a technology platform to enable the creation of digital agrifood ecosystems that coordinates the flow of information among all the stakeholders, the material flow from upstream supply chains to the cultivation systems, and the harvest from the cultivation system to the produce buyers. However, to achieve broader acceptability, there needs to be a proper policy framework to ensure the security and privacy of the information being shared by the stakeholders. Furthermore, this policy framework should establish trust and regulate the economic, social, and environmental outcomes to achieve sustainability. A sustainable policy framework for the agrifood ecosystem will ensure food availability, accessibility, and adequacy to ensure food security, supporting SDG9.