The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) have unveiled their latest collaborative publication, Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security. This new report addresses the urgent need for innovative solutions to global food security challenges as the world’s population exceeds eight billion.
In an era marked by frequent natural disasters, conflicts, and environmental crises, space technology and geospatial tools have become essential in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 2, which targets Zero Hunger. The growing availability of affordable, accessible data is transforming agriculture, offering new ways to monitor crop health, manage water resources, predict weather patterns, and respond to disasters. These technologies also empower local farmers and help guide international policy decisions.
The report was developed through the United Nations inter-agency mechanism UN-Space and launched during the sixty-second session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna.
UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini highlighted the potential of space solutions to address global challenges, stressing the importance of scaling these innovations for broader impact. “We must promote and replicate space solutions to enable all stakeholders—from farmers to policymakers—to leverage these technologies for socio-economic prosperity and development,” she said.
FAO Director of the Land and Water Division, Lifeng Li, underscored the role of innovation and partnerships in shaping a sustainable agricultural future. “This publication demonstrates the transformative power of technology and collaboration, aligning with FAO’s goals of promoting sustainable resource use to achieve global food security,” Li said.
The joint report calls for greater international cooperation, capacity-building, and policy innovation to fully harness the benefits of space technology in agricultural development and food security.
