Agriculture’s data-driven age is dawning as farmers use tools to digitise and optimise operations. Digital mapping – the process of creating a database on average yield and crop size for productivity analysis – alongside artificial intelligence (AI)-powered crop-monitoring robots and agri-minded loyalty programmes aims to make it easier for farmers to embrace technology.

While digital platforms help livestock farmers manage their herds’ health (and reduce paperwork), discussions surrounding the ecological downsides of animal husbandry are shaking up the meat industry. Cellular agriculture – the process of cultivating meat in bioreactors – is (slowly) becoming a viable alternative. For more, see Meat’s Optimistic Future and Planet-First Ingredients.

Droughts, rising temperatures and limited space are forcing companies to turn to experimental agriculture solutions. By harnessing elements like air and water, and by using alternative power sources, such as electricity and solar panels, agritech businesses are saving resources and increasing the quantity and quality of produce reaching consumers worldwide.

While geopolitical tensions and climate change disrupt global supply chains, agritech initiatives aim to make local food systems more resilient. Concurrently, 60% of global consumers prefer to buy domestically produced food (YouGov, 2022). Smart companies are working with farming communities to build financially healthy farms, which enable locals to reduce their reliance on imports.