The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge to food security and agricultural production. According to the latest report by the United Nations,[1] as many as 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021, and the number has grown by about 150 million since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Practices such as "cloud classroom", drone spraying of pesticides, livestream to help selling agricultural products in the wake of the epidemic have demonstrated the Chinese wisdom in science and technology to foster rural development. How to use science and technology to energize rural development, narrow the "digital divide", capacitate high-level skilled farmers and safeguard food security, China's tech companies have made many fruitful explorations, and provided significant enlightenments to global pandemic control and poverty alleviation.
Initiated by China Internet Information Center (CIIC), FAO Representation in China, IFAD China Office, WFP China and
ESCAP-CSAM, Thematic study and knowledge sharing Initiative in the subject of Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation aims to sort out and summarize the development trend of science and technology empowered rural areas, select cases and experiences emerged, especially innovative practices with sustainability, application and popularization.
Through field visits, case study collection, media coverages, seminars, display of best practices and other forms, the initiative aims to refine and promote China's experience in leveraging science and technology to empower rural areas, and promote the exchange and implementation of experience in developing countries through knowledge sharing.
[1] FAO, IFAD,UNICEF,WFP and the World Health Organization (WHO). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: Repurposing Food and Agricultural Policies to Make Healthy Diets More Affordable – Executive Summary.