Agrifood systems play a crucial role in reducing hunger and poverty and providing a nutritious diet for all. However, in their current state, agrifood systems often do not function well and are the single largest driver of environmental degradation and transgression of planetary boundaries. Therefore, they are both a major cause of climate change and at the same time highly vulnerable to its impacts. Digital tools provide the potential for transforming agrifood systems. From farm to fork digital technology has the potential to accelerate sustainable intensification of diversified production and healthy diets with a low carbon footprint. This briefing, the first one of two, presents an overview for development cooperation practitioners on how to start a digital transformation in agrifood projects, especially with regard to climate resilience and GHG emission reductions.