Data Digital Readiness Food Systems 2025

As global food systems face growing pressures from climate change, market volatility and ecological degradation, data and digitalization have become essential to resilience. When effectively deployed, they unlock access to financing, improve productivity and connectivity at the farm level, enhance food quality and safety across the food system, and ensure equitable access to knowledge. Digital readiness strengthens overall supply chain resilience through faster disruption response, efficient logistics, better risk management and improved transparency. In short, digital innovation is not just about efficiency and compliance; it is the foundation of adaptive, sustainable and shock-resistant food systems. These outcomes are not guaranteed. Realizing them requires more than technological availability – it demands an enabling environment built on strong data infrastructure, aligned standards, and stakeholder and institutional readiness. Infrastructure includes digital public infrastructure (DPI), open digital goods (DPGs) and basic data collection systems that support interoperability and equitable access, underpinned by reliable connectivity still lacking in many farming areas in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Readiness is also uneven, with capacities and incentives varying widely among smallholders, cooperatives and public institutions. In response, the World Economic Forum and its partners have launched a multi-phase initiative to advance Data and Digital Readiness in Food Systems. Anchored in field research, cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder consultations, this sprint effort aims to harness the rapid advances in technology. It identifies three foundational pillars critical to future progress: 1. Stakeholder integration Meaningful digital transformation requires all actors to engage in data-driven ecosystems. Shared governance models, such as data trusts and cooperatives, enable inclusive access to platforms, services and training. Given varying levels of readiness, especially among smallholders, targeted support and tailored strategies are essential. Trust, strong capabilities and aligned incentives remain central to broad engagement. 2. Interoperable and adaptive systems Shared standards, semantic alignment and interoperable platforms are prerequisites for seamless data flow and innovation. Interoperability is not only technical; it also depends on policy coherence, institutional trust and shared governance. These dimensions are often underdeveloped and inconsistently applied across regions. True interoperability combines technical protocols with institutional frameworks for cross-jurisdictional alignment. Emerging AI agents may facilitate adaptive exchange, but still rely on shared standards and transparent governance. 3. Public-private collaboration Co-creation and co-governance between government, industry and civil society can scale infrastructure, de-risk investment and accelerate responsible technology adoption. However, such collaboration is not inherently effective and must be intentionally structured. Together, these pillars lay the foundation for harnessing data and digital innovation. However, progress relies on equipping all actors to adopt new concepts and tools, enabling broad participation and ensuring secure, meaningful data exchange with equal investment in people, collaboration and closing structural gaps. A cross-cutting issue is ownership: clarifying rights and responsibilities over data and infrastructure is particularly complex in food systems and demands a coordinated international effort. This paper argues for intentional execution to maximize impact. It invites decision-makers, practitioners and partners to consider the following: –How can food system actors establish trusted, transparent frameworks for data sharing that address power imbalances and enable equitable and subject matter expert participation across the food system? –What mechanisms – technical and institutional – are needed to drive adoption of interoperable data standards at scale, particularly among smallholders, cooperatives and local enterprises? –In what ways can joint innovation initiatives be structured to align commercial incentives with public objectives, while ensuring inclusive governance and long-term impact?Introduction1 Unlocking the full value of digital innovation in food systems requires readiness, equity and trust at every level. Data and Digital Readiness in Food Systems 5