Pick Up

1074. Potential of Novel Agrifood Technologies

Related Research Program
Information

 

1074. Potential of Novel Agrifood Technologies

 

Food systems face a variety of challenges around the world. Failure to address these challenges, such as greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and inequality, could undermine our ability to feed the world's growing population.

According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), technological innovation in agrifood systems has been advancing rapidly in recent years. 'Novel agrifood technologies' encompass a wide range of innovations and methods that can contribute to improving the efficiency and productivity of traditional agriculture. Some of these new agrifood technologies are innovations that enable agricultural production in previously unthinkable environments, such as urban environments and deserts.

  • Agrifood Waste Mitigation: pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, insect bioconversion
  • Alternative Proteins: plant-based proteins, fermentation, cell culture
  • Animal Technologies: feed additives, health monitoring, vaccines, genomics, recirculating aquaculture systems
  • Crop Inputs: biofertilizers, biopesticides, biostimulants, technologies enabling site-specific nutrient management
  • Food Supply Chain Technologies: online famer market places, blockchain for traceability, smart packaging
  • Crop Improvement: Gene editing techniques, eg. CRISPR, GEiGS, TALEN
  • Additional Technologies: AI, data analysis, robotics, sensors, IoT systems, remote sensing

The UNDP stressed the need to develop a policy environment that promotes optimal deployment of these technologies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, noting that these innovations are crucial for advancing food security, improving livelihoods, eradicating poverty, and solving climate change.


Reference
UNDP (2024) Addressing Climate Change, Poverty, & Hunger with Agrifoodtech
https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/singapore/publications/addressing-climate-change-poverty-hunger-agrifoodtech


Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program
 

Related Pages