Optimizing Resources for a Growing Population: The Role of Energy and Water in Agriculture

Dive into the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge focus areas with this article series from SVG Ventures | THRIVE. We will explore the five critical themes shaping a sustainable future. This second article in the series explores two crucial pillars of the agriculture industry–water and energy.?

Our global food system faces a daunting challenge: feeding a growing population with dwindling resources. Agriculture is a major energy consumer, with most operations currently reliant on fossil fuels. This dependence adds to climate change concerns, creating a vicious cycle. Meanwhile, water scarcity looms large, as agriculture accounts for the most freshwater use worldwide. With climate change further worsening water availability, innovative solutions are needed to ensure long-term food security.

Water Scarcity and its Effects on Food Production

Agriculture consumes over 70% of the world's freshwater in most regions. This dependence becomes even more critical as we face the challenge of feeding a projected 10 billion people by 2050. Estimates suggest we'll need a 50% increase in agricultural production, with water withdrawals rising by 15%.?

Irrigation acts as a lifeline, enabling crop growth in arid regions and supplementing rainfall during dry spells. It is therefore critical to maintain a constant water supply to nurture and grow healthy crops.?

However, this reliance on a dwindling resource presents a major challenge. Water scarcity is a growing threat worldwide, exacerbated by rising temperatures due to climate change. This translates to more frequent and intense floods and droughts. Alarmingly, 2 billion people already lack access to clean water. Rising sea levels further threaten freshwater supplies in coastal areas by increasing groundwater salinization. As global temperatures continue to climb, the pressure on this precious resource intensifies. With water as the lifeblood of agriculture, innovative solutions are needed to feed our growing population.?

The Rising Energy Demands in Agriculture

The agri-food sector consumes a hefty 30% of global energy demands, primarily from fossil fuels. This reliance on fossil fuels is particularly concerning as global energy use in agriculture has steadily risen over the past two decades. However, this trend hasn't held true for developing countries, where limited access to energy hinders advancements like irrigation and temperature-controlled storage, which could significantly reduce food loss.?

While expanding energy access in the agri-food chain is crucial, following the traditional fossil fuel route would only worsen climate change. Therefore, embracing renewable energy sources is key to achieving widespread energy access while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovative Solutions and Technologies in Big Ag

Innovation is offering a glimmer of hope to battle against water scarcity. These are some of the solutions being implemented now:?

• Smart irrigation systems that leverage sensors and data analysis are optimizing water delivery, ensuring crops receive only what they need.?
• Enhanced water measurement techniques are providing farmers with a more precise understanding of their water usage, empowering them to make informed decisions.?
• Desalination, while energy-intensive, is emerging as a viable option in some regions, particularly coastal areas facing salinization.?
• Wastewater treatment is gaining traction as a way to repurpose this valuable resource for irrigation, promoting sustainability and reducing pressure on freshwater sources.

The energy sector is also witnessing a shift towards greener solutions:

• Bioenergy harnesses the power of organic materials, including agricultural waste products like crop residues and manure, to generate electricity, heat, or biofuels. This not only reduces our reliance on fossil fuels but can also create a closed-loop system within farms, where waste becomes a valuable resource.?
• Energy management software empowers farms to track their energy consumption and optimize usage, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

THRIVE’s corporate partners are leading the charge in water conservation and adopting greener energy alternatives:

• Alberta Innovates funds projects that lead to safe, secure drinking water; healthy aquatic ecosystems; and reliable water supplies for a sustainable economy. They also seek to support projects that leverage Alberta’s existing oil and gas infrastructure, expertise, and innovation activities to support a growing bioenergy supply chain.?
• 巴斯夫 Bioenergy launched its new brand Spartec for bioethanol production. They also have a goal to reduce emissions from their production processes and offer products that save water and improve its quality.?
• Corteva Agriscience continues to support water stewardship advances in global agricultural production. In 2023 they announced a collaboration with Bunge and Chevron to produce winter canola hybrids to meet growing demands for lower-carbon renewable fuels. They have also been recognized for their water conservation technologies by the West Kauai Soil & Water Conservation District.
• Dairy Australia works towards shaping a profitable and sustainable dairy industry by providing services that benefit and advance dairy farm business and the industry. They support dairy farmers with implementing effective measures to protect water as a valuable resource, consider all available water supplies and identify water saving initiatives. Additionally, Dairy Australia supports dairy farmers with using effective irrigation systems to increase farm productivity and profitability, drive water-use efficiencies and reduce input costs.
• Driscoll's use precision irrigation to reduce the amount of water they use on their crops.?
• ICL Group production facilities run water conservation projects that use brackish water and recycled wastewater in their production processes instead of freshwater. They are also actively involved in research and development of technologies for storing renewable energy?
• Valmont Industries, Inc. is a global leader in infrastructure and precision irrigation technologies, and works to increase water efficiency in agriculture.?

Meet the Startups Innovating in CleanTech

The ongoing need for new, more sustainable energy sources, and the ever-increasing water scarcity issues have prompted hundreds of startups to find new solutions to these challenges.?

The below startups were finalists in the 2023 Global Impact Challenge for their innovative work in improving water management and quality.?

• Nanobubble Agritech : Adds high amounts of oxygen to the water to dramatically improve crop yield and water use efficiency.
• Permalution : Leader in fog/cloud water collection technology.?
• HYDRATICO : Water desalination process based on supercavitation technology.
• Livestock Water Recycling : Cleans the world's wastewater by transforming biomass from livestock and food production into RNG, carbon offsets.
• Aquacycl : Wastewater treatment as a service that improves water quality, increases resilience, reduces costs, and mitigates 90% of GHG emissions.
• SWAN Systems : Precision irrigation technology for sustainable water management, higher yields, and optimal resource use.
• Autonomous Pivot : AI models to save water and fertilizers in irrigated crops.?

The challenge of optimizing resources for a growing population requires innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. The importance of sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology cannot be overstated as we face the twin crises of water scarcity and rising energy demands in agriculture. This year, for our 2024 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge, we are looking for the most groundbreaking startups working in Cleantech to improve water quality and create more sustainable energy sources. If you’re a startup working on water & energy or know someone who works in this sector, we invite you to apply here.

We can pave the way towards a more resilient and sustainable future by fostering innovation and supporting groundbreaking startups. Join the conversation with AgTech leaders at the 2024 THRIVE Global Impact Summit, with early-bird tickets still on sale here.?

Sources

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230314005444/en/Corteva-Agriscience-Bunge-and-Chevron-Announce-Collaboration-to-Produce-Winter-Canola-to-Meet-Growing-Demand-for-Lower-Carbon-Renewable-Fuels?

Authors:

Victoria Curotto - Global Accelerator Manager, SVG Ventures | THRIVE

Sofia Aguilera - Program Associate, SVG Ventures | THRIVE