Supply Side Connectivity

The Supply Side Connectivity Cluster supports pan-Commonwealth climate-resilient food systems and livelihoods through digitalisation and data coordination. This is being carried out mainly through:

• Engaging in policy dialogues and updates with Cluster members on the cluster activities.
  For more on this, refer to the following publications:
  Commonwealth Secretariat launches initiative to support member countries to better manage agricultural data through DPI
  Coordinated climate data needed for resilient food systems
  Harnessing Climate Data Infrastructure to Attract Private Sector Investments in Commonwealth Food Systems
  How can data build global food security?
  “We must use big data to protect food security and increase climate resilience,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General at COP27
• Engaging in technical dialogues with Cluster members and global/international partners on digital agriculture and digital fisheries to position the Commonwealth as an ecosystem coordinator.
• Supporting member states with the roll out of Digital Agriculture & Fisheries Framework & Strategies.
• Initiating the development of indices for National Digital Agriculture/Digital Fisheries using the frameworks.
• Convening national policy dialogues to create awareness on the importance of national agricultural data infrastructure coordination.
  For more on this, refer to the following publication:
  Ghana's Path to Digital Agriculture: Commonwealth Secretariat Facilitates Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Data Infrastructure
• Continuing the on-going support for Regional Kava Development Strategy in the Pacific through digitisation.
  For more on this, refer to the following publication:
  The Feasibility of Digitising Kava Value Chain in the Pacific – 2023

The Supply Side Connectivity Cluster supports national digital agriculture and fisheries strategies across the Commonwealth through knowledge products development and promotion, and advisory services. This will be carried out mainly through the following activities:

• The promotion of knowledge products that have been developed for advisory services and capacity building for member states.
  For more on this, refer to the following publications:
  The State of Digital Agriculture in the Commonwealth (2022)
  Analysis of Digital Agriculture and Fisheries Policies in the Commonwealth (2022)
  The State of Digital Fisheries in the Commonwealth (2023)
• The production of new knowledge products in support of advisory services and capacity building for member states.
• Collaborate with partners to identify and select some digital agriculture/fisheries innovations for promotion.
  For more on this, refer to the following publications:
  What is “digital” about fish? A Policy Guide for the Commonwealth
  Enabling digitalisation for food and agriculture in the Commonwealth
  "We can transform the Commonwealth into an agricultural powerhouse": Commonwealth Secretary-General at COP27
• Continue to provide Advisory Support to MSMEs in Business Development Services (BDS).
  For more on this, refer to the following publications:
  Better business, better lives - turmeric in Belize
  Agribusiness platform as a catalyst for connecting agri value chain stakeholders
  Digitising Pacific agriculture and fisheries
  From concept to product - building synergies in the fisheries sector for Lesotho
• Engage farmers and fisherfolks associations for advocacy in the use of the innovations.
• Continue engagements and partnership with other international development partners and private sector partners, especially for resource mobilisation.
  For more on this, refer to the following publications:
  Commonwealth Secretariat and AGRA join forces to drive digital transformation in African agriculture
  Commonwealth Secretariat and IICA strengthen efforts to boost food security in the Caribbean
  Partnerships, inclusivity and innovation to help increase food security