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Organic Farm Knowledge platform awarded winner at FAO contest

Organic Farm Knowledge was a finalist in the second category "Capacity development and empowerment" of the contest. (Photo: FAO)

Screenshot of Organic Farm Knowledge

The platform covers all themes of organic food & agriculture – from production, certification to environmental protection & beyond. (Screenshot: OFK)

The contest "Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia", organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), resulted in seven winners according to categories. Organic Farm Knowledge is proud to be recognised as one of them. The online platform provides access to a diverse range of tools and promotes knowledge exchange among farmers, farm advisors and scientists. FiBL Switzerland maintains the platform in collaboration with IFOAM Organics Europe, ICROFS (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems) and other partners.

The contest identified, showcased and celebrated good practices and innovative solutions that advance the digital transformation of agriculture. The Award Ceremony took place within the framework of the ITU Regional Innovation Forum for Europe 2021, which brought together regional stakeholders to share cross-sectoral approaches and adopt new solutions across industries and markets.

Of the approximately 200 practices received through the Call, 28 were selected to compete in the final part of the contest. These final practices were identified under seven categories, covering topics from regulatory frameworks, farm automation to food loss and waste. Organic Farm Knowledge was a finalist in the second category "Capacity development and empowerment" and was recognised at the award ceremony on 23 September as the winner of the "Digital Excellence in Agriculture" award within this category.

The Awards Ceremony allowed stakeholders to discover how innovative solutions which are based on ICT (information and communication technology) can make financial services more accessible, enhance market access to agriculture products and services, enable capacity development and empowerment, or foster sharing of skills and technical expertise between others – stimulating agripreneurs to bring novel digital solutions to life.

Additionally, a Stocktaking Report "Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia Good practices in the field of digital agriculture" was developed by the ITU Office for Europe and features a profile of the Organic Farm Knowledge platform. The document presents a summary version of the 171 eligible submissions of good practices and innovative solutions advancing the digital transformation of agriculture in Europe and Central Asia.

"We are extremely proud to be recognised by the ITU-FAO as an innovative solution advancing the digital transformation of agriculture. We feel inspired to continue the platforms momentum, broaden its reach, to further develop capacity among its users and promote organic farming across Europe" says Lauren Dietemann, communication expert at FiBL Switzerland. "On behalf of FiBL, who has been involved in Organic Farm Knowledge from its conception, we express our sincere gratitude to the ITU office for Europe for this recognition at the 2021 ITU Regional Innovation Forum for Europe."

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ITU Regional Innovation Forum for Europe 2021: Scaling up innovative digital ecosystems that accelerate digital transformation of key sectors: