Integrated agricultural intelligence--a proposed framework

Integrated agricultural intelligence (agri-intelligence) is a specific field of intelligence dedicated to an enhanced understanding and proactive recognition of the threats and risks to national security associated with a broadly defined agriculture. It recognises the clear linkages between different fields including public health, safety and security; food safety and security, environmental security and economic security. Integrated agricultural intelligence is needed because of the rapid rate of change in society today, including but not limited to science and technology, the interconnectedness of the mandates of different sectors and the fact that agriculture is vulnerable from many perspectives. Integrated agricultural intelligence combines inputs from a diverse and broad spectrum of disciplines and organisations and promotes not only an exchange of information but an analysis of this information. This analysis provides a mechanism to proactively anticipate threats, an enhanced and heightened understanding of these threats, more informed policy development and superior operational outcomes.