The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the University of Sydney have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on research, innovation and capacity development for more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The agreement is the first MoU with an Australian university. 

The partnership aims to accelerate the development and adoption of technologies that improve agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience with a particular focus on smallholder farmers.

Under the agreement, FAO and the University of Sydney will collaborate to advance digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, smart farming, sustainable agricultural mechanization, agricultural robotics, automation, electrification and climate-smart technologies. The partnership will also strengthen market-oriented capacity development to help smallholder farmers adopt innovative solutions and improve their livelihoods.

 A key priority is ensuring that innovation is accessible and inclusive, particularly for women and young farmers, by improving access to smart technologies, knowledge and market opportunities. The collaboration comes at a time when agrifood systems face growing pressures from food insecurity, climate change, resource scarcity, and the need to increase agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

“The challenges we face on rising global food demand, increased efficiency and productivity require bold action and strong partnerships. The time to work together is now,” said  Ms Beth Bechdol , FAO Deputy Director-General.

“This MoU is a clear demonstration of our commitment to turning these challenges into opportunities for growth and sustainability. The partnership with the University of Sydney is more than just an agreement. it is a symbol of our shared vision for a future where smart agricultural practices and the use of robotics, autonomous equipment and electrically powered machinery safeguard both the health of our planet and the well-being of all people,” she emphasised.

She added that smart farming can improve efficiency, precision and productivity while making farming easier, enhancing soil health and protecting vital ecosystems.

“The University of Sydney is proud to partner with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in advancing engineering-driven solutions for global food security and sustainable agriculture. Engineering, data science and robotics have a critical role in transforming how we grow, monitor and manage food systems,” said Professor Hesham El Gamal, Dean of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

“Our research community is committed to developing scalable technologies—from autonomous systems  to AI-enabled decision tools—that can directly support farmers, improve productivity and reduce environmental impact,” he added.

 “This collaboration allows us to connect world-class research with global development priorities. By working alongside FAO, we can ensure that innovation is not only technically advanced but also socially relevant, inclusive and impactful for agrifood systems worldwide,” said Professor El Gamal.

Professor Salah Sukkarieh from the Australian Centre of Robotics, University of Sydney said:

“Having worked alongside FAO for many years, from policy development, conferences and technical knowledge exchange through to our lab's work with machines in smallholder fields across Southeast Asia, the Pacific and now the Mekong region, I have seen firsthand the challenges smallholder farmers face, and what it takes for on-farm technology to genuinely work for them.

“This MoU lets us take what we have proven in the field, in smart mechanisation, robotics, and AI, and scale it with FAO across the regions that need it most.” 

The agreement builds several years of collaboration between FAO and the University of Sydney. Most notably, the university contributed technical expertise to FAO’s Agriculture 4.0  - Agricultural Robotics and Automated Equipment for Sustainable Crop Production report, supporting both its development and peer review.

The report examined how automation, robotics, and precision agriculture can advance sustainable agricultural mechanization in developing countries. It highlighted technologies that can address labour shortages, reduce production costs, and improve productivity, while also examining the challenges associated with adopting these innovations.

Over the next five years, the partnership will support joint research, training, technical exchanges, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen institutional capacity and promote evidence-based policymaking.

By combining FAO’s global reach with the University of Sydney’s expertise in engineering and agricultural innovation, the partners aim to translate scientific and technological advances into practical, scalable solutions that improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems worldwide.