TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM FROM THE INDUSTRY
How innovation is transforming agriculture and food production.
JONATHAN KELLER, MANAGING DIRECTOR CANOPY EDGE
T he food industry plays a significant role in contrib - uting to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Accord - ing to the study "Future Warming from Global Food Consump- tion," the agriculture sector is respon- sible for nearly half of methane (CH4) emissions, two-thirds of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and 3% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from hu- man activities worldwide. Agriculture is the largest source of food-related emissions, contributing around 27% of the total. This comes from crop production, livestock production, and deforestation for agricultural expan- sion. It is not the only source of GHG emissions in the food production pro- cess. Industrial processes like food processing and packaging contribute to emissions, particularly from energy consumption and the use of chemi- cals. The transportation of food prod - ucts, both locally and globally, gener- ates significant emissions, especially from fuel combustion. Finally, when food is wasted, it ends up in landfills, where it decomposes and releases methane. Fortunately, companies are begin- ning to reshape the food industry by focusing on more sustainable prac- tices. Part of this is due to consum -
ters. This leads to increased efficien - cy, improved quality, sustainable prac - tices, and leveraging data analytics for informed decision-making. • Sensors and Internet of Things (loT): Sensors collect data on soil moisture, temperature, nutrient lev- els, and crop health. This informa - tion helps farmers optimize irriga- tion schedules, fertilizer application, and pest control, reducing resource wastage and environmental impact. IoT-enabled weather stations provide real-time data on weather conditions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting, and irrigation. In addition, sensors and RFID tags track the movement of food products throughout the supply chain, from farm to table. This improves vis - ibility, reduces delays, and minimizes spoilage . ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCES Alternative protein sources are a promising solution in dealing with the growing global demand for protein, while at the same time minimizing the environmental impact of traditional meat production. These alternatives provide a more sustainable and ethical
er demand. A growing number of to - day’s consumers value sustainability and are actively seeking out organic, plant-based products and more en- vironmentally friendly disposal and packaging options. In response, com - panies are increasingly utilizing tech- nologies that can play a critical role in not only making the food industry more sustainable, but also more effi - cient and innovative. Precision agriculture is a farming man- agement strategy that uses technolo- gy to optimize crop production and resource use. It involves observing, measuring, and responding to varia- tions within a field to make informed decisions about planting, fertilizing, irrigating, and applying pesticides. Some of these technologies include: • Drones and Satellite Imagery: These technologies enable farmers to monitor crop health, soil moisture lev- els, and nutrient needs with precision, leading to optimized resource use and reduced environmental impact. The technology also helps with a rapid assessment of damage to crops and infrastructure caused by natural disas- PRECISION AGRICULTURE
SUSTAINABILITY OUTLOOK 2025 42
Powered by FlippingBook