Digitalization for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Potential, Status, and Risks for the MENA Region

Digital technologies offer a potential solution to improve sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—of agri-food systems around the globe. While developed countries have led innovation adoption of digital agriculture, impact in developing countries—including Middle East North Africa (MENA) region—is massive. This article synthesizes existing evidence review current contribution sectors MENA. agriculture shows promise addressing key challenges facing sector across MENA countries. Improvements primary production, supply chain logistics performance, optimized use scarce natural resources (notably agricultural water) could be notable, if can implemented as envisioned. Available that is at early stages, generally by high-value production targeting domestic markets Gulf export Mashreq Economic sustainability appears strongest force for adoption, with less focus on social or environmental sustainability. Public policies should not only foster but also ensure equity access, transparency use, data protections, labor protections. Policymakers move beyond traditional, production-centric views deliver