Tech giants and AI-driven farming tools are manipulating the food system, warns a think tank. According to a report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), these companies are using AI and algorithms to influence global food production, potentially undermining farmers' autonomy. The report highlights a concerning trend where large corporations dictate what crops farmers should grow, often prioritizing the most profitable and productive ones. Pat Mooney, a Canadian agricultural expert, warns that this approach could lead to farmers being locked into a globalized system, forcing them to buy seeds and inputs from industrial companies rather than relying on 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 that is heavily dependent on multinational corporations. 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 should focus on funding research with local farmers and supporting their innovations to ensure food security is as local as possible.
