Farming the Future: Contemporary Innovations Enhancing Sustainability in the Agri‐Sector

Abstract

Threats from climate change, environmental degradation, and exhausted Green Revolution technologies have caused widespread concern for the future of global crop production and food security. Today, the agri‐sector is transitioning on a global scale, away from traditional farming practices and towards adopting the novel technologies needed to sustainably intensify food production. With the global population projected to reach nine billion by 2050, with 68% of us living in urban environments, it is essential to find ways of producing food crops sustainably both in cities as well as out in the field. Modern innovation presents an opportunity to remedy these issues through the implementation of novel technologies and practices, including vertical farming, light supplementation via light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), artificial intelligence (AI), advances within plant breeding genetics, and the application of biostimulants made from organic extracts. Throughout this review, we will provide insights into the future of farming by discussing a range of contemporary agricultural techniques and technologies, alongside the cultural, economic, and environmental contexts that necessitate their increased application.

Vertical agriculture’s potential implications for food system resilience: outcomes of focus groups in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia

“…Much of the literature considers the potential for vertical agriculture to occur within industrial areas, rooftops, parking lot, bunkers, abandoned buildings or other underutilized spaces in urban and peri-urban regions (Armanda et al 2019, Specht et al 2019. Leveraging underutilized (and urban) spaces to produce food is crucial for countries heavily reliant on food imports (Hardy et. 2021).…”

Technological Trends and Engineering Issues on Vertical Farms: A Review

“…Unlike traditional methods, vertical farming involves monitoring and controlling all aspects, including artificial lighting, to maximize space efficiency [14,175]. These farms, which can be found underground, on rooftops, or in abandoned spaces of urban areas, employ distinct technologies for specific microenvironments, with a focus on leafy vegetable production [176]. The regions leading the adoption of vertical farming are East and Southeast Asia and North America, including China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the USA, and Canada [33].…”

“…SANANBIO, a prominent leader in Chinese vertical farming, has successfully cultivated over 300 varieties of leafy greens, fruits, medicinal herbs, and edible flowers within their facilities [182]. AgriGarden, established in 2002 as a modern agricultural supply-chain service provider in Beijing, offers comprehensive support, from project consultancy to operations, for urban agriculture and vertical farms [176]. JingDong Group partnered with Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings in 2018 to create a vertical farm in TongZhou, Beijing, that conserves water and has achieved zero emissions.…”

“…Sky Greens in Singapore, the world's pioneering low-carbon, hydraulic-driven vertical farm, began commercial operations in 2012 [176]. The innovative A-Go-Gro technology employs rotating A-shaped towers with up to 26 growing levels, occupying just six square meters of space [184].…”