Digital Innovation Initiative: Outcome Case Study Report (2022-2024)

The CGIAR Digital Innovation Initiative (2022–2024) is a transformative effort to leverage digital technologies in addressing critical challenges in global agrifood systems. By emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and scalability, the initiative has made significant strides across five key outcomes: strengthened ecosystems, improved digital skills, equitable resource allocation, gender-responsive services, and robust information systems. This report synthesizes evidence from case studies, documentation reviews, and stakeholder interviews, showcasing innovations such as Digital Twins, AI-powered advisory platforms, and gender-inclusive digital services. Findings demonstrate substantial impacts, such as empowering women and youth through gender-inclusive digital services, improving digital literacy, and enabling equitable resource management in climate vulnerable regions through advanced tools. However, embedding digital innovations effectively and efficiently in land, water, and food systems remains a complex and context-specific challenge. The results highlight the need for ongoing research, testing, and validation to address the particularities of agri-food systems, such as data integration, socio-cultural barriers, and stakeholder diversity. Recommendations emphasize building on existing successes, expanding digital ecosystems, and fostering partnerships to secure long-term impact and sustainability.