How do you feel about agricultural farming? At JV, we think it’s one of the most critical parts of our global food system, providing sustenance to billions of people every day. However, as we continue to grow and climate change threatens the yields we get from our agricultural crops, it is becoming increasingly clear that the future of farming will need to look very (VERY) different from today.
Here are some of the top trends and innovations in agriculture we think are right around the corner.
Precision Agriculture
According to Pew, precision agriculture has the potential to increase crop yields by 70% while reducing water usage by 50%. Precision agriculture uses technologies like GPS, sensors, and drones to gather data on crops and soil conditions, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions about fertilization, irrigation, and pest management. This reduces waste and increases efficiency, while also reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
Vertical Farming
Indoor gardening and indoor growing is definitely on the rise. With a global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, traditional farming methods simply won't be able to keep up with demand. That's where vertical farming comes in. By stacking plants vertically in a controlled environment, vertical farms can grow more food using less land, water, and energy. Vertical farming is also fantastic at utilizing otherwise unproductive space in almost any location you can think of. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global vertical farming market is expected to grow to $12.77 billion by 2026.
AgTech
Agricultural technology, or AgTech, is a rapidly growing field that includes everything from robotics to artificial intelligence to blockchain. These technologies are being used to improve everything from planting and harvesting to supply chain management and food safety. According to AgFunder News, AgTech investment reached a record high of $22.3 billion in 2020, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
These are just a few of the many trends and innovations we think that are shaping the future of farming. By embracing these technologies and practices, farmers can not only increase yields and efficiency, but also reduce their environmental impact and improve the sustainability of the food system. We also think these technologies are perfectly transferable to the individual and the home to allow you as an individual to make a difference. Innovative inventions like the Lomi Composter and the AEVA and EVE are bringing the same efficiencies to the home as they are to farmers across the planet as we look to feed our growing world.
Sources:
Yield of Dreams: How Precision Agriculture Will Help Feed the Planet
Grand View Research, "Vertical Farming Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Structure, By Component, By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2026"
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/vertical-farming-market
AgFunder News, "Agtech Investment Surges to Record $22.3bn in 2020 Despite Covid-19 Challenges"