The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted the Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (GAMC) with the theme “Efficiency, Inclusiveness and Resilience” from 27 to 29 September 2023. The event provided a platform for focused dialogues among all stakeholders, to prioritize actions and strengthen technical networks for sustainable development of agricultural mechanization and scale the recent advances of sustainable agricultural mechanization according to local contexts, to achieve sustainable agricultural production and transformation of agrifood systems, protect the environment, manage natural resources, mitigate and adapt to climate change while creating decent jobs, social equity and achieving food security and improved nutrition.

CSAM, as part of the organizing committee of the conference, was invited to co-chair a session on ‘Supply chains and standards’ which recognized the benefits of harmonized standards in agricultural mechanization, including promoting fair competition and aiding in informed investment decisions, and encouraging the adoption of safety and environmental practices through rigorous testing and certification processes. The session featured partners and stakeholders of CSAM’s initiative titled Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM), which was proposed as a model and good practice for other regions.

Other initiatives of CSAM (especially the Regional Forum on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization; the Regional Council of Agricultural Machinery Associations or ReCAMA; and the Integrated Management of Straw Residue) were presented in a session on ‘Business models and stakeholder engagement’. The session featured CSAM in a presentation on ‘Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization’ but in recognition of its experience as a regional hub for sustainable agricultural mechanization and of its long-standing networks for private sector of agricultural mechanization associations and testing institutions, CSAM was also commended as a model to follow for creating sustainable institutions and long-term vision frameworks that the ‘call for action’ developed at the conference will aim to pursue.

Photos Copyright FAO/GiulioNapolitano/LuciaFabiani/RiccardoDeLuca