The Global Open Data in Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative, of which CABI is a partner, released new research in collaboration with the Open Data Institute (ODI): How can we improve agriculture, food and nutrition with open data? Launched at the 3rd International Open Data Conference in Ottawa, the research shows how open data enables more effective decision making in a wide range of contexts, creates innovation and promotes transparency that changes the way organisations work. This helps smallholder farmers who need access to accurate, accessible data on weather and market information to plan their crops and achieve the best yield and price. Consumers are also increasingly demanding accurate information to make food choices and for a healthy diet.
GODAN aims to promote a better understanding of how open data can help solve global challenges in delivering food security and better nutrition. Future systems based on open data have the potential to deliver sustainably produced food by using land more effectively, reduce waste and tackle pests and disease. Access to weather and market data is crucial for farmers making decisions on what and when to plant.
The global food system struggles under the combined pressures of a growing population, climate uncertainty and volatile market forces. As the world’s population grows to around 9 billion by 2050, global demand for food, feed and fibre is predicted to nearly double, with growing numbers of people at risk of hunger and malnutrition and unprecedented demands on land and environment. At the same time increased unpredictability of weather patterns will make it difficult to take sound decisions on crops and cultivation.
Open data is a powerful tool already solving real world problems in agriculture and nutrition, from drought, pests and diseases, to food security and food safety. The power of using the huge amounts of data generated every day has yet to be fully understood, though the potential is enormous. Crucially the data needs to be available and accessible to everyone in a usable form if it is to provide practical solutions for policymakers, farmers and consumers.
The research identifies examples from across the world where open data is already making a difference.
GODAN now seeks examples of real-world challenges that open data can be used to solve, as well as case studies showing how the use of open data has already made a difference to build understanding of the scope for addressing practical problems in future.
