Tech giants and AI-driven farming tools are manipulating the food system, warns a thinktank. According to a report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), tech companies and industrial agriculture are using AI and algorithms to influence global food choices, potentially at the expense of local farmers and food security. The report highlights a 'top-down' approach where large corporations dictate crop choices, often prioritizing the most profitable and productive crops, such as corn, rice, wheat, soya beans, and potatoes. Pat Mooney, a Canadian author and agriculture expert, warns that this approach can lead to farmers being locked into a globalized system, forcing them to buy seeds and inputs from industrial companies, rather than cultivating locally adapted crops. Mooney emphasizes the vulnerability of the globalized food system, citing examples like the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine. He argues that food security is best served by local, sustainable practices, rather than a broken global system. The report also highlights the potential for digital tools to be promoted by governments, despite farmers' hesitancy. The market for digital farming tools is projected to reach $84 billion by 2034, with significant investments from the World Bank and the EU. However, Lim Li Ching, co-chair of IPES-Food, advocates for a bottom-up approach that prioritizes farmers' knowledge and needs. She emphasizes the importance of innovations that support agricultural biodiversity, empower farmers, and strengthen agroecological practices, citing successful examples from farming communities in Peru, China, and Tanzania. Mooney agrees, suggesting that policymakers focus on funding research with local farmers and supporting their innovations to ensure food security remains local and sustainable.
