With finite resources, it is imperative that the most effective and efficient risk management strategies are prioritized. It is also essential that risk managers have the information and preparation necessary to know what to do when emergencies occur. The impacts of risk management strategies and interventions can better be assessed through risk and economic modelling. Risk contexts are complex, and models must reflect this to the degree possible and useful, by taking into account hazard characteristics, geography, environmental conditions, market connections and trade volumes, susceptible populations, uncertainty, among other parameters. Comparing probable effects of actions such as recalls, movement bans, vaccination campaigns, and communication in different contexts can support planning and capacity building. Risk tools for use in emergency response simulations such as SIR (susceptible, infected, recovered) based models incorporating visual components, for example integrating a GIS component and/or in real time/time series for use in emergency response simulations and in the development of robust incident command systems.

If we don’t know where a product came from, we can’t accurately identify risk pathways and enact effective risk mitigation and management strategies, increasing the costs of such measures and risk to both industry and the general public. The ubiquity of smartphones presents opportunities to establish robust track and trace systems that can be used by even the smallest players. New approaches to tagging, such as rolling out radio frequency identification (RFID), can make trade safer and improve supply chain management. In addition, improved approaches to data management for source attribution investigations that link surveillance data and pathogen characterization data to supply can help to identify the source of problems and minimize the impact of contaminated products on consumers and the costs to industries

In agriculture, if you don’t have good data you won’t be using land optimally. Knowing the farming conditions with accuracy and precision can cut costs of production, improve yields and reduce pollution and protect natural resources while supporting planning and extension, and increasing the feasibility of service delivery to smaller players, for example micro-insurance. At present a lot of highly relevant data is underutilized in the agricultural sector. Integrating mapping, environmental, soil type, agricultural use and other relevant data, and making it accessible in a user-friendly format can address these inefficiencies. This could also help strengthen climate change adaptation and resilience by identifying potential problems ahead of time and directing R&D. A tool like this will also pave the way for wider application of precision agriculture in the region, and new uses of technologies such as drones in agricultural planning and production.

Nutrient deficiency (lack of nutrient in soil) and toxicity (too much nutrient in soil) retard growth and development of crops and the symptom may be observed visually during the growing period. In order to fix the problem before the crop dies or it is too late, it is necessary to know, firstly whether the symptom is from deficiency or toxicity, and secondly from which nutrient (e.g. N, P, K or etc.?). The tools assist the extension workers/farmers to identify problems by inputting observed information into the system. Recommendation will then be provided on appropriate management to solve such problems to ensure that good yield is achieved.

Outbreak of pest and disease often occurs when growing crops in the tropical climate. Identification whether the observed symptoms are a result from pest or disease attack is complicated and a tool to assist extension workers/farmers to identify it right on time will be very useful. The tools may require observers to input data or information based on the characteristic of the symptom for the system to analyze and arrive at the cause of the problem. The tools then provide recommendation on appropriate option of action to fix the problem.

Contribution of Green House Gas (GHG) emission from agricultural sector has been well recognized. Research has shown that application of climate-friendly practices (e.g. application of biochar, improved nutrient use efficiency, system of rice intensification, etc.) could satisfactorily minimize GHG emission to the atmosphere while yields are sustained (or in some case, increased) and net income of the farmers is increased. Innovative science-based GHG emission calculation tools are needed to help demonstrate and convince policy makers and extension workers on the multi-benefits of upscaling climate-friendly agriculture practices to national scale.

Residues in product and the development of antimicrobial drug resistance among pathogens are global health concerns. In response, countries and industries are coming under increasing pressure to monitor and reduce the use of antimicrobials in production. Are there innovative approaches to monitoring drug production/import data, sales, and surveillance systems for estimating total usage by industry?

Many producers and SMEs supplying niche products struggle to identify potential buyers, meanwhile, distributors and retailers are constantly seeking new products to promote. An accessible and user-friendly business matching app for relaying product information and buyer requirements and connecting relevant parties could address these issues with many possible cost coverage options, making the app sustainable.