BSV - Day 1 - The Importance of Agriculture Technology in Addressing Climate Change
TL;DR:?
-Agtech's crucial role in addressing climate change
-Challenges in spreading agtech to smallholder farmers in Brazil
-Increasing food production by 70% with reduced greenhouse gases
-Balancing nature-based and tech solutions while integrating into local communities
领英推荐
–
Agriculture technology (agtech) has a crucial role to play in addressing climate change, which is one of the most significant challenges facing the planet. In this panel, the importance of ag tech in addressing climate change is discussed. The conversation covered various topics related to agtech and its role in the agricultural sector, including challenges, opportunities, and solutions.
The group notes that 80% of farmers in Brazil are smallholders, and 15% have never been to school, making it challenging to spread agricultural technology that could help combat climate change. However, South America provides a unique 52-week cycle for technology deployment, which is an advantage in bringing new technologies to the market. The estimated cost of investments needed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 was also discussed, along with the projected market value of climate tech.
The group discussed the need to increase food production by 70% while reducing greenhouse gases and the potential for agriculture technology to help solve this problem. Indoor agriculture and vertical farming were highlighted as a solution to land and water scarcity, which is becoming increasingly important as the food chain becomes more fragile and less reliable. This technology enables them to discover and deliver the best recipes for plant growth with consistency.
The conversation then moved to the issue of food waste, which uses more water than any country in the world and ag tech has an essential role to play in addressing this problem. They give examples of companies that use technologies licensed from universities to extend the shelf life of food and bring fiber back into human diets, for example.
The conversation highlighted the need for a more democratic food system and the importance of opening up professions that provide higher income and more certainty. Finally, the conversation addressed the balance between nature-based solutions and tech solutions, highlighting the importance of integrating into local communities when using technology to solve sustainability problems. Ag tech has the potential to be a significant part of the solution to climate change, but it must be developed and implemented with care and sensitivity to the needs of local communities and ecosystems.