Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security for all. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. FAO helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all.

FAO also plays an important role as a source of knowledge and information. The Organization is enhancing its role as a Knowledge Organization, by developing and strengthening its policies, processes and practices in creating, acquiring, sharing and using knowledge.

FAO stresses the importance of addressing the rural digital divide, since the digital revolution still bypasses over a billion of the poorest of the world's poor, who live on less than one dollar a day and are located in rural areas, most of whom are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. In the follow up to the WSIS action line on e-Agriculture, FAO is committed to addressing the needs of stakeholders in agriculture and rural development in relation to enhancing information and knowledge exchange, communication, and the use of digital technology. FAO is also committed to developing E-agriculture.org as a platform for the international community to discuss these challenges.