The “Green Revolution” is believed to have saved millions of lives in India during the 20th century, by introducing new scientific techniques that led to increased yields, thereby providing food and livelihoods.
But the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has come at a huge cost, both to the environment and to health, leading to growing interest in organic farming – combining the latest scientific knowledge with traditional techniques to produce nutritious food without harming the soil.
“It’s a win-win,” says Amit Singh, head of sustainability at Nature Bio Foods, referring to a business model that sees thousands of Indian farmers producing high-quality, sustainable food for consumers, while being paid well for it.
The winners
On Sunday, the company, an Indian social enterprise, won a ONE World Innovation Awardin recognition of its farm-to-table approach to sustainability, which involves ensuring that every aspect of food production – from planting to harvesting, processing and transportation – is as sustainable as possible.
“In the last three years alone, we have reduced our carbon emissions by introducing various innovations and scientific solutions such as solar energy and methods to reduce methane emissions from rice production,” Mr. Singh said.
The company helps nearly 100,000 small farmers access the market and profits are reinvested in initiatives that benefit the community, such as clean water and school funding.
Find the ideal partner
This success would not be possible without the partnerships that Nature Bio Foods has established within the private and public sectors.
The company works closely with the Indian government and, as it seeks to expand its operations, the United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO), helps them in terms of technological know-how and investment.
Mr. Singh was speaking on the occasion of the Partnership and Investment Day of the Global Industry Summit, the UNIDO General Conference, which was held in Riyadh between 23 and 27 November.
The Day showcased pioneering initiatives and cutting-edge digital solutions with the potential to transform industry in developing countries.
Fittingly, Mr Singh had to interrupt his chat with UN News in order to meet some of the many investors invited to the event, an example of the matchmaking taking place throughout the week.
An AI-enabled humanoid robot walks the halls of the UNIDO Global Industry Summit 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How does AI smell without a nose?
The common thread throughout many of the Partnership Day sessions was the use of AI to help different partners find sustainable solutions.
“It’s not about ChatGPT, CoPilot or Deep Seek. It’s about how AI can solve real-world problems we face on the ground,” says Jason Slater, head of AI and innovation at UNIDO, as he took a brief break between sessions.
His job is to find ways to access technology to support countries in the Global South. “For example, we are working with a startup that has developed an AI chip that can smell food: it learns what it is and identifies where the waste is so that the company can change its production process and become more efficient.
According to Slater, AI also has a crucial role to play in bringing together development stakeholders such as the private sector, the UN, government and academia, helping them more easily define problems, connect the dots and find solutions.
“Whether it’s shrimp farming in Vietnam or smart manufacturing in Tunisia, the UN is a trusted partner in a world where new technologies are rapidly emerging. Member States know that as technology rapidly comes to market, we follow ethical principles, ensuring that no one is left behind and that safeguards are in place.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
