Food security, climate change, global health: Agriculture is where the world’s most serious challenges collide. As the global population grows, farms must produce 60 percent more food by 2050, but extreme weather events are wreaking havoc on crop yields worldwide. Meanwhile, existing commercial chemicals that boost yield have proved disastrous for surrounding ecosystems. Farmers are under pressure to replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives and regenerate soil health, or risk depleting the land for good.
With agrifood systems accounting for one-third of total global greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprints are also under the microscope. Farm owners today must meticulously document and control their emissions to align with trading schemes, regulations, taxes and subsidies.
More than ever, farms are working with laboratories, developer teams and boardrooms to tackle these interwoven issues in the field. Here, from the cutting-edge of crop genetics, to soil probiotics, growing protein out of thin air and AI-powered farm management, we explore how the latest breakthroughs in agricultural technology (AgriTech) are transforming our global food system.
