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According to the World Bank, nearly 8% of the world's population—numbering at 670 millions—are predicted to be still undernourished by the end of the decade. This means that by 2050, there will be an additional 2 billion mouths to feed, implying that food will remain a limited resource even with increased supply. Therefore, agriculture must simultaneously become more productive and sustainable to achieve the zero hunger goal of sustainable development. To combat such a scenario, productivity-enhancing technologies must explored and enhanced to ensure global food security.
HOW TECHNOLOGY ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Thankfully, current technology can enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability to ultimately increase yield. Firstly, it allows for maximization—increasing crop yields using the same amount of resources. This can involve smart farming techniques which utilize data and sensors to optimize resource allocation. Secondly, technology can mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture. One example is Liquid Natural Clay (LNC), which helps restore and enhance soil health, reducing water use and improving fertilizer effectiveness, ultimately minimizing environmental damage. Finally, technology helps reduce waste throughout the food production chain. Through sensors and the Internet of Things, actions such as real-time crop health monitoring are possible, allowing farmers to identify and address potential problems early on.
CASES IN POINT
A GREAT example of “maximization and minimization” is the usage of LNC by Desert Control, a company specializing in climate-smart agriculture solutions, to combat desertification, soil degradation, and water scarcity. In doing so, it restores and enhances soil ecosystems to minimize water usage and maximize the effectiveness of fertilizers and natural resources for agriculture, forests, and green spaces. By tackling sandy soil's water and fertility problems directly, LNC improves agricultural yields, plant health, and ecosystem resilience while retaining up to 50% more water and natural resources. Apart from LNC, another illustrative example of Minimization is how Vivent, a Swiss deep-tech SME, develops applications linked to naturally occurring plant bioelectrical signals. Vivent introduced plant electrophysiology sensors that monitor plants in real time and provide information on their response to environmental changes, protecting plants' health and minimizing the chance of crop failure.
As the global population grows, ensuring food security while minimizing environmental impact is a crucial challenge. By embracing technological advancements, the agricultural sector can rise to this challenge. Encouraging the widespread adoption of these technologies among farmers, particularly small-scale farmers in developing countries, is essential to ensure a future-proof agricultural sector that is both productive and sustainable. To do that, collaborative efforts from governments, research institutions, and the private sector are needed to pave the way for a future where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.
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