Smart farming & FoodTech revolutionizes the future of food

Digital agriculture aims to optimize farming yield by using large volumes of information (big data) and technology (GPS services, sensors and robotics).

By using precise planting, fertilization and irrigation methods, farmers can increase their yields by producing more food on the same acreage of land. Modern tractors also gather large amounts of data that can be analyzed and then processed in order to improve yields.

Scientific studies clearly show how crops, plants and farm animals are influenced by environmental factors. These studies aim at finding solutions when producing crops and plants, and breed farm animals with better feed efficiency, disease-resistance, climate-change tolerance and with a higher nutritional quality for human consumption.

The process often starts by the analysis and characterization of the genetics of a crop, plant or animal, and its specific strengths and weaknesses. The crop, plant or animal is then bred to either preserve its genetic diversity or to improve its genetic quality.

Controlled-environment agriculture (in short: CEA resp. SMART-CEA) is an approach where crops are grown indoor with an optimized use of water and space compared to conventional agriculture, while simultaneously controlling for factors such as light, temperature, humidity, CO₂ and nutrient concentration.

Vertical farming is a good example, with a welcomed side effect. It enables food production in cities – or at least closer to cities.

Learn more about vertical farming

Animal health, especially in farms, focuses on solutions that prevent diseases, treat sick animals and control the outbreak of diseases. As for human welfare, alternative proteins at hand, such as plant-based proteins, insects and cellular agriculture are climate-friendly sources of protein, while functional food ingredients aim at enhancing the nutritional profile, taste and conservation of food.

When it comes to personalized nutrition, individual data is collected and tailored nutritional recommendations based on a person’s genetic and environmental factors provided.

An estimated 30% of the food produced for human consumption globally is lost or wasted somewhere along the food supply chain, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The main reasons behind these massive food losses are inefficient food production and supply systems. Meanwhile, huge amounts of foodstuffs are also wasted as food still fit for human consumption, but unaesthetic for the consumer is thrown away.

Food is also spoiled unnecessarily and therefore wasted due to poor stock management. Waste tracking and analytics solutions help to detect at which step and moment in the food supply chain the actual food loss and/or waste happens.