1) The document discusses how technological innovations in areas like robotics, computer vision, GPS, and satellites could help address an impending global food crisis brought on by population growth and loss of arable land.
2) These technologies enable more precise agriculture through tools like automated tractors, crop monitoring from aerial images, and computer vision systems for sorting and reducing waste.
3) Israel is well positioned to contribute to agricultural technology development through its experience in converting military tech to civilian uses, and entrepreneurial culture. However, more investment is still needed to realize the potential.
Mubarak shut off internet access in Egypt for 5 days in January 2011 in an attempt to stop the spread of protests being organized on social media. This backfired and increased participation in the protests. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter had been used to coordinate the initial protests against Mubarak's authoritarian rule and issues like corruption. After 18 days of protests involving hundreds of thousands of people, Mubarak resigned, ending his 30 year presidency. The role of social media in empowering citizens and helping organize the uprising demonstrated its potential impact in developing nations.
The document discusses issues related to global population growth and food supply. It notes that currently, 1/3 of the world's population is undernourished or malnourished. It also provides statistics on the percentage of land used for crops, crop land per person, and crop area in different regions of the world. It then discusses factors like land usage, agriculture, and technology that can impact a region's ability to feed itself. Finally, it considers Thomas Malthus' predictions of population outstripping food supply and discusses approaches like industrial and organic farming to increase food production.
This report examines challenges smallholder farmers face in accessing finance to improve productivity and strengthen livelihoods. It discusses how smallholder farmers produce much of the world's food but face low incomes and food insecurity. Access to finance is identified as one of the biggest challenges, as smallholders receive only 3% of the formal bank financing demanded, limiting their ability to invest in better technologies and increase yields. The report aims to understand how businesses can strengthen smallholder incomes and ensure robust, inclusive supply chains.
The document proposes a year-long global initiative to end world hunger. It would use mass communication and technology to bring stakeholders from around the world together to discuss solutions. Representatives from governments, non-profits, corporations, and the general public would propose and debate strategies. Researchers would analyze the discussions to develop workable plans. The public could influence the talks and later donate to fund the implemented solutions. The goal is to find an accountable and transparent way to solve the political issues behind hunger within one year and help nourish people into becoming productive global citizens.
This document provides an introduction to the author's views on achieving sustainable food security in the 21st century. The author believes this will be a "century of hope" due to advances in science and technology, the spread of democratic institutions, and new opportunities to reach more people through information technologies. However, challenges remain such as population growth, environmental degradation, poverty, and issues of intellectual property. The author advocates for an "Evergreen Revolution" in agriculture that intensifies production sustainably through approaches like water and soil management to eliminate hunger.
Food Economics And Consumer Choice White PaperJohn Blue
The document discusses how agricultural technology is needed to meet the growing global demand for food by 2050. The key points are:
1) The UN projects the world population will reach over 9 billion by 2050, requiring a 100% increase in global food production using virtually the same amount of land as today.
2) New technologies will be critical, as the UN estimates that 70% of the additional food needed must come from efficiency-enhancing technologies, while only 20% will come from additional farmland and 10% from increased cropping intensity.
3) Failure to use science-based agricultural technologies would be disastrous, as food producers need them to ensure a sustainable supply of safe, nutritious
Overpopulation and hunger in developing countries is a serious problem. Currently, over 40% of the world's population accounts for only 5% of global income, with 1.7 billion people living in absolute poverty. By 2050, the world's population is projected to increase by 1/3 to over 9 billion people, increasing food demand by 50% despite scarce resources. To address this, governments must provide family planning services, satisfy social needs through education and employment, and encourage smaller families. While necessary, these actions may infringe on people's rights to live and have comfortable lives.
Mubarak shut off internet access in Egypt for 5 days in January 2011 in an attempt to stop the spread of protests being organized on social media. This backfired and increased participation in the protests. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter had been used to coordinate the initial protests against Mubarak's authoritarian rule and issues like corruption. After 18 days of protests involving hundreds of thousands of people, Mubarak resigned, ending his 30 year presidency. The role of social media in empowering citizens and helping organize the uprising demonstrated its potential impact in developing nations.
The document discusses issues related to global population growth and food supply. It notes that currently, 1/3 of the world's population is undernourished or malnourished. It also provides statistics on the percentage of land used for crops, crop land per person, and crop area in different regions of the world. It then discusses factors like land usage, agriculture, and technology that can impact a region's ability to feed itself. Finally, it considers Thomas Malthus' predictions of population outstripping food supply and discusses approaches like industrial and organic farming to increase food production.
This report examines challenges smallholder farmers face in accessing finance to improve productivity and strengthen livelihoods. It discusses how smallholder farmers produce much of the world's food but face low incomes and food insecurity. Access to finance is identified as one of the biggest challenges, as smallholders receive only 3% of the formal bank financing demanded, limiting their ability to invest in better technologies and increase yields. The report aims to understand how businesses can strengthen smallholder incomes and ensure robust, inclusive supply chains.
The document proposes a year-long global initiative to end world hunger. It would use mass communication and technology to bring stakeholders from around the world together to discuss solutions. Representatives from governments, non-profits, corporations, and the general public would propose and debate strategies. Researchers would analyze the discussions to develop workable plans. The public could influence the talks and later donate to fund the implemented solutions. The goal is to find an accountable and transparent way to solve the political issues behind hunger within one year and help nourish people into becoming productive global citizens.
This document provides an introduction to the author's views on achieving sustainable food security in the 21st century. The author believes this will be a "century of hope" due to advances in science and technology, the spread of democratic institutions, and new opportunities to reach more people through information technologies. However, challenges remain such as population growth, environmental degradation, poverty, and issues of intellectual property. The author advocates for an "Evergreen Revolution" in agriculture that intensifies production sustainably through approaches like water and soil management to eliminate hunger.
Food Economics And Consumer Choice White PaperJohn Blue
The document discusses how agricultural technology is needed to meet the growing global demand for food by 2050. The key points are:
1) The UN projects the world population will reach over 9 billion by 2050, requiring a 100% increase in global food production using virtually the same amount of land as today.
2) New technologies will be critical, as the UN estimates that 70% of the additional food needed must come from efficiency-enhancing technologies, while only 20% will come from additional farmland and 10% from increased cropping intensity.
3) Failure to use science-based agricultural technologies would be disastrous, as food producers need them to ensure a sustainable supply of safe, nutritious
Overpopulation and hunger in developing countries is a serious problem. Currently, over 40% of the world's population accounts for only 5% of global income, with 1.7 billion people living in absolute poverty. By 2050, the world's population is projected to increase by 1/3 to over 9 billion people, increasing food demand by 50% despite scarce resources. To address this, governments must provide family planning services, satisfy social needs through education and employment, and encourage smaller families. While necessary, these actions may infringe on people's rights to live and have comfortable lives.
The document discusses the challenges facing the agriculture industry and the potential for technology to address these challenges. The key challenges are rising population increasing food demand, stressed natural resources, climate change reducing productivity, and food waste. New technologies like precision agriculture, robotics, and vertical farming have the potential to produce food more efficiently and sustainably. Governments will need to play a role in facilitating innovation through targeted programs and public-private partnerships.
The document discusses challenges faced by third world countries, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and poor living conditions. It notes that most of the world's population growth occurs in third world nations, which include Latin America, Africa, parts of Asia, and some oceanic islands. Citizens of third world countries face difficulties like poverty, lack of access to resources, and injustice in the global economic system. Overall, the passage examines the issues plaguing developing nations and the hardships experienced by their populations.
HLM2 Nairobi Side Events - ShambaPlus Concept NoteKelvin Wahome
Shambaplus aims to enhance technology in agriculture and industry for food security and national growth. By 2050, food production will need to increase by 70% to feed a global population of over 9 billion people. Smallholder farms currently produce 70% of the world's food, so supporting smallholder farmers through access to information, resources, and markets will be key to achieving this increased production. Shambaplus proposes using ICT technologies like data analysis and forecasting to advise farmers on the best crops to grow based on weather predictions, market prices, and their farm conditions in order to realize food security and economic growth.
This document discusses the rapid growth of slums in developing world megacities. It notes that 95% of population growth will occur in urban areas in developing countries, causing cities to double in size within a generation. This rapid urbanization has outpaced infrastructure development and job growth, leading to a "mass production of slums." Today, over 1 billion people live in slums worldwide, characterized by overcrowding, lack of basic services, and insecure land tenure. Attempts by groups like the World Bank to improve slums through loans and infrastructure programs have faced challenges in reaching the poorest residents and preventing slum expansion. Slums also face dangers from unstable land and natural disasters due to poor construction on hazardous sites like hill
The Slide Share categories a annoyingly stupid. This a an overview of the global future situation with implications for Latin America for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
This document discusses several converging trends that will transform the world, including rapid technological development, population growth and aging, climate change, and increased transparency. It argues that these trends could lead to conflicts over natural resources but also new solutions. The mobile internet of things will connect not just people but objects, potentially creating global networks of citizens and information. New tools may empower "prosumers" to direct development in a way that promotes diversity and creative networks. Overall, a new world is emerging through connectivity and new interfaces need to encourage participation from all.
ABN AMRO AgriTech, Battle for agricultural robots begins, oct 2020 (en)ABN AMRO
Dutch AgriTech market can triple in ten years
Global population growth, labour shortages, scarcity of agricultural land and the need for sustainable food production will give a tremendous impulse to agricultural robotisation. ABN AMRO estimates current worldwide revenue in the ‘AgriTech market’ at more than EUR 6 billion. The Dutch market holds a share of 11.5% in that market, mainly thanks to milking and feeding robots. If the existing bottlenecks are addressed, the Dutch AgriTech market has the potential to triple in ten years from EUR 715 million to EUR 2.5 billion in 2030; that is an average growth of 13% per year.
Shine, clare media academy sustainability presentation shine (21 july 2015)Salzburg Global Seminar
The document discusses several topics related to global population trends, urbanization, infrastructure, and sustainability challenges. It notes that the world population will reach 8 billion by 2024, with over two-thirds living in urban areas by 2050. This rapid urbanization will require massive infrastructure investments and pose challenges around issues like water access and scarcity. It also examines trends around increased internet and device connectivity, and how "smart cities" can help address issues of governance, education, and sustainable energy.
The document discusses problems with weak agricultural sectors in developing countries, including lack of support for small farmers from governments and large swaths of land being sold to multinational corporations. It proposes a solution of providing farmers access to the internet through a specially designed product to connect them, allow knowledge sharing, and enable international trade, strengthening their position. It suggests having Western countries forgive debts in return for investment in agriculture, benefiting all through stronger African economies and increased global food security.
Transformación digital y tecnologías disruptivas en la agriculturaBO TRUE ACTIVITIES SL
The document summarizes a summer course on digital transformation and disruptive technologies applied to economic activity. Specifically, it discusses two course topics: (1) Blockchain and other disruptive technologies applied to digital transformation, and (2) Blockchain and big data technologies applied to agriculture. The course is taught by Juan Diego Borrero at the University of Huelva on July 25, 2019.
The document discusses environmental stewardship and sustainable development. It notes that while some regions have large ecological footprints, others face food insecurity and climate risks. Achieving inclusive green growth requires recognizing interconnected global challenges and valuing all forms of knowledge. The upcoming Rio+20 conference aims to build consensus around transitioning to a green economy that promotes sustainability, poverty eradication, and equitable responsibility among nations.
The document discusses how digital technologies are transforming the global food industry from agriculture to retail. Precision agriculture using sensors, drones, and data analytics promises to increase yields while reducing environmental impacts. Digital tracking of goods through the supply chain improves food safety and transparency. Emerging technologies will further change food shopping, with smart packaging and potentially grocery delivery by drone. Overall, the Internet of Food has potential to help meet rising demand but also raises questions about future diets and sustainability.
1) Poverty is a global challenge affecting nearly all countries. The main causes are increasing population and dwindling natural resources, which will likely lead to wars driven by economic motives as competition for resources intensifies.
2) International organizations like the World Bank and IMF have failed to alleviate poverty and improve lives, instead impoverishing nations through unpayable debts. Their capitalist approaches have not worked to eliminate poverty.
3) Statistics show that over 45% of the world lives on less than $2 per day, and poverty is increasing even in developed countries due to factors like rising food and fuel prices. Globalization has not overcome poverty and has benefited few while leaving over 1 billion people with nothing.
Overpopulation is a significant problem in developing countries, where 925 million people do not get enough food and 98% of the world's undernourished live. The world population is projected to increase by 1/3 to over 9 billion by 2050, increasing food demand by 50% despite scarce resources. To address this, governments must provide family planning services, satisfy social needs through education and employment for women, and encourage smaller families through infrastructure changes. While limiting population growth may infringe on rights, overpopulation also prevents people from living comfortable lives.
Considered both the future of society, the future of the people, the way of the future of education in a multi-stakeholder, the activities of the order to continue to create "Future Education Consortium" is, in fiscal 2015, such as consumers and companies · NPO / NGO · Students through the co-creation projects by various participants "21 Century Future Enterprise Project", we derive the "social and companies of the future scenario of 2030".
http://miraikk.jp/cat-03/2882
More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes, with 780 million people lacking access to clean drinking water despite mobile phone access being more widespread. While technology has connected many, over 1.3 billion people still lack electricity even 50 years later, and this number is projected to remain unchanged through 2030 without intervention. The document calls on readers to use technology and innovation to help solve issues of access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity through invention, reinvention, and global approaches in order to empower people and curb human misery, as envisioned by John F. Kennedy.
Urban agriculture takes place in two main locations: intra-urban areas within city limits and peri-urban areas surrounding cities. As more people move to cities, urban agriculture helps address issues of food security, resource management, and quality of life. It occurs wherever small spaces can be utilized from rooftops and window boxes to vacant lots and along transportation routes. Both the urban poor and wealthy participate, though it is predominantly done by women. A variety of food and non-food crops are grown as well as livestock in some cities. While challenges include lack of land tenure, contaminated soil, and technical knowledge, urban agriculture is increasing as cities recognize its benefits.
Delore Zimmerman of Praxis Strategy Group, Grand Forks, ND provides guidance for rural community leaders about development trends and the steps communities must take to increase their investment attractiveness. He is part of a webinar series (Realizing Our Broadband Future) hosted by the Blandin Foundation
The document discusses the challenges facing the agriculture industry and the potential for technology to address these challenges. The key challenges are rising population increasing food demand, stressed natural resources, climate change reducing productivity, and food waste. New technologies like precision agriculture, robotics, and vertical farming have the potential to produce food more efficiently and sustainably. Governments will need to play a role in facilitating innovation through targeted programs and public-private partnerships.
The document discusses challenges faced by third world countries, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and poor living conditions. It notes that most of the world's population growth occurs in third world nations, which include Latin America, Africa, parts of Asia, and some oceanic islands. Citizens of third world countries face difficulties like poverty, lack of access to resources, and injustice in the global economic system. Overall, the passage examines the issues plaguing developing nations and the hardships experienced by their populations.
HLM2 Nairobi Side Events - ShambaPlus Concept NoteKelvin Wahome
Shambaplus aims to enhance technology in agriculture and industry for food security and national growth. By 2050, food production will need to increase by 70% to feed a global population of over 9 billion people. Smallholder farms currently produce 70% of the world's food, so supporting smallholder farmers through access to information, resources, and markets will be key to achieving this increased production. Shambaplus proposes using ICT technologies like data analysis and forecasting to advise farmers on the best crops to grow based on weather predictions, market prices, and their farm conditions in order to realize food security and economic growth.
This document discusses the rapid growth of slums in developing world megacities. It notes that 95% of population growth will occur in urban areas in developing countries, causing cities to double in size within a generation. This rapid urbanization has outpaced infrastructure development and job growth, leading to a "mass production of slums." Today, over 1 billion people live in slums worldwide, characterized by overcrowding, lack of basic services, and insecure land tenure. Attempts by groups like the World Bank to improve slums through loans and infrastructure programs have faced challenges in reaching the poorest residents and preventing slum expansion. Slums also face dangers from unstable land and natural disasters due to poor construction on hazardous sites like hill
The Slide Share categories a annoyingly stupid. This a an overview of the global future situation with implications for Latin America for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
This document discusses several converging trends that will transform the world, including rapid technological development, population growth and aging, climate change, and increased transparency. It argues that these trends could lead to conflicts over natural resources but also new solutions. The mobile internet of things will connect not just people but objects, potentially creating global networks of citizens and information. New tools may empower "prosumers" to direct development in a way that promotes diversity and creative networks. Overall, a new world is emerging through connectivity and new interfaces need to encourage participation from all.
ABN AMRO AgriTech, Battle for agricultural robots begins, oct 2020 (en)ABN AMRO
Dutch AgriTech market can triple in ten years
Global population growth, labour shortages, scarcity of agricultural land and the need for sustainable food production will give a tremendous impulse to agricultural robotisation. ABN AMRO estimates current worldwide revenue in the ‘AgriTech market’ at more than EUR 6 billion. The Dutch market holds a share of 11.5% in that market, mainly thanks to milking and feeding robots. If the existing bottlenecks are addressed, the Dutch AgriTech market has the potential to triple in ten years from EUR 715 million to EUR 2.5 billion in 2030; that is an average growth of 13% per year.
Shine, clare media academy sustainability presentation shine (21 july 2015)Salzburg Global Seminar
The document discusses several topics related to global population trends, urbanization, infrastructure, and sustainability challenges. It notes that the world population will reach 8 billion by 2024, with over two-thirds living in urban areas by 2050. This rapid urbanization will require massive infrastructure investments and pose challenges around issues like water access and scarcity. It also examines trends around increased internet and device connectivity, and how "smart cities" can help address issues of governance, education, and sustainable energy.
The document discusses problems with weak agricultural sectors in developing countries, including lack of support for small farmers from governments and large swaths of land being sold to multinational corporations. It proposes a solution of providing farmers access to the internet through a specially designed product to connect them, allow knowledge sharing, and enable international trade, strengthening their position. It suggests having Western countries forgive debts in return for investment in agriculture, benefiting all through stronger African economies and increased global food security.
Transformación digital y tecnologías disruptivas en la agriculturaBO TRUE ACTIVITIES SL
The document summarizes a summer course on digital transformation and disruptive technologies applied to economic activity. Specifically, it discusses two course topics: (1) Blockchain and other disruptive technologies applied to digital transformation, and (2) Blockchain and big data technologies applied to agriculture. The course is taught by Juan Diego Borrero at the University of Huelva on July 25, 2019.
The document discusses environmental stewardship and sustainable development. It notes that while some regions have large ecological footprints, others face food insecurity and climate risks. Achieving inclusive green growth requires recognizing interconnected global challenges and valuing all forms of knowledge. The upcoming Rio+20 conference aims to build consensus around transitioning to a green economy that promotes sustainability, poverty eradication, and equitable responsibility among nations.
The document discusses how digital technologies are transforming the global food industry from agriculture to retail. Precision agriculture using sensors, drones, and data analytics promises to increase yields while reducing environmental impacts. Digital tracking of goods through the supply chain improves food safety and transparency. Emerging technologies will further change food shopping, with smart packaging and potentially grocery delivery by drone. Overall, the Internet of Food has potential to help meet rising demand but also raises questions about future diets and sustainability.
1) Poverty is a global challenge affecting nearly all countries. The main causes are increasing population and dwindling natural resources, which will likely lead to wars driven by economic motives as competition for resources intensifies.
2) International organizations like the World Bank and IMF have failed to alleviate poverty and improve lives, instead impoverishing nations through unpayable debts. Their capitalist approaches have not worked to eliminate poverty.
3) Statistics show that over 45% of the world lives on less than $2 per day, and poverty is increasing even in developed countries due to factors like rising food and fuel prices. Globalization has not overcome poverty and has benefited few while leaving over 1 billion people with nothing.
Overpopulation is a significant problem in developing countries, where 925 million people do not get enough food and 98% of the world's undernourished live. The world population is projected to increase by 1/3 to over 9 billion by 2050, increasing food demand by 50% despite scarce resources. To address this, governments must provide family planning services, satisfy social needs through education and employment for women, and encourage smaller families through infrastructure changes. While limiting population growth may infringe on rights, overpopulation also prevents people from living comfortable lives.
Considered both the future of society, the future of the people, the way of the future of education in a multi-stakeholder, the activities of the order to continue to create "Future Education Consortium" is, in fiscal 2015, such as consumers and companies · NPO / NGO · Students through the co-creation projects by various participants "21 Century Future Enterprise Project", we derive the "social and companies of the future scenario of 2030".
http://miraikk.jp/cat-03/2882
More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes, with 780 million people lacking access to clean drinking water despite mobile phone access being more widespread. While technology has connected many, over 1.3 billion people still lack electricity even 50 years later, and this number is projected to remain unchanged through 2030 without intervention. The document calls on readers to use technology and innovation to help solve issues of access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity through invention, reinvention, and global approaches in order to empower people and curb human misery, as envisioned by John F. Kennedy.
Urban agriculture takes place in two main locations: intra-urban areas within city limits and peri-urban areas surrounding cities. As more people move to cities, urban agriculture helps address issues of food security, resource management, and quality of life. It occurs wherever small spaces can be utilized from rooftops and window boxes to vacant lots and along transportation routes. Both the urban poor and wealthy participate, though it is predominantly done by women. A variety of food and non-food crops are grown as well as livestock in some cities. While challenges include lack of land tenure, contaminated soil, and technical knowledge, urban agriculture is increasing as cities recognize its benefits.
Delore Zimmerman of Praxis Strategy Group, Grand Forks, ND provides guidance for rural community leaders about development trends and the steps communities must take to increase their investment attractiveness. He is part of a webinar series (Realizing Our Broadband Future) hosted by the Blandin Foundation
1. 4/12/2015 Haaretz.Com
http://www.haaretz.com/misc/articleprintpage/.premium1.650436?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C 1/2
How Israeli technology could solve the next food crisis
From robotic tractors to satellite photographs, technology is changing the world of agriculture. With greater investment, Israel
can lead the field.
By Ron Maron and Victor Alchanati Apr. 4, 2015 | 4:05 AM | 2
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Many researchers and professionals around the world warn of worldwide starvation by 2050. Less and less cultivated land will have to supply
more food for the population, which is expected to grow two or threefold by then. Farm lands are being sold as real estate for the expansion of
cities. The average age of farmers in the United States in 2007 was 57, with the younger generation abandoning agriculture for more modern and
lucrative professions. If solutions are not found for producing an adequate amount of food, wars will be waged over water and edibles.
Everyone looks to the world of technology, with the understanding that only a true technological revolution can enable human society to deal
with this great challenge. In fact, the last great revolution in agriculture took place in the 1940s and ’50s – the revolution in agricultural
machinery. After this came genetic engineering, which encountered fierce public resistance and has therefore failed to realize its potential.
The time has now come for the technological revolution to trickle down to agriculture. The beginnings of this move have been seen over the past
decade, and it is steadily gaining momentum. The various technological developments that have taken place may now be fused together for the
benefit of other, heretofore unexpected uses in agriculture.
The advent of the smartphone, GPS, satellite photographs, robotics and other sophisticated technologies, combined with a reduction in their
prices and the simplicity of operation of these technologies – as well as the ability to use them in additional areas – open up new possibilities for
the agricultural world. As J. Robert Oppenheimer once said, “The history of science is rich in the example of the fruitfulness of bringing two sets
of techniques, two sets of ideas, developed in separate contexts for the pursuit of new truth, into touch with one another.”
The immense progress made in computerized vision and image processing is of critical significance to the success of the new technological
revolution, called “precision agriculture.” It is so called because it enables precision in the spatial performance of agricultural tasks, enhancing
crops and, at the same time, economizing the resources needed to produce them.
Precision agriculture involves flexible thinking, which may be manifested in simpler forms of solutions – such as that adopted by Nigerian
farmers in increasing the fertility of their parched fields. They use CocaCola caps for the precise measurement and placement of the proper
amount of fertilizer, adjacent to the plant. This solution was developed by researchers from the global partnership CGIAR, which strives to
eradicate hunger and poverty in distressed regions of the world.
At the other extreme, we see also the smart technologies of computerized vision and image processing enabling the production of maps of an
individual field by means of satellites, airplanes and UAVs, thus providing a complete picture of the land, including topographical variance,
differences in the type of soil, as well as other local conditions such as feed materials and water. Photographs such as these enable the farmer to
discern whether a particular field or plot lacks water or nitrogen, or to identify outbreaks of pests or disease in the field.
The ability to utilize local meteorological forecasts and update the farmer with a microforecast relevant for his own private fields, as well as the
ability to adapt the field’s cultivation to this forecast, pushed Monsanto – a giant multinational dealing in agricultural sustainability – to acquire
The Climate Corporation for $1 billion in 2013.
Getting the most out of man and machine
These capabilities fit in well with the area of robotics, the development of which now enables machines to see, diagnose and respond to needs in
the field. As a result, autonomous or semiautonomous tractors have been developed, which can be operated by the farmer. They perform their
tasks while adhering to predetermined routes, or follow the crop rows by camera, adjusting the implements so as to avoid damage to crops, etc.
The application map is fed to the technological systems of the tractor, which operates automatically or semiautomatically in the fields – knowing
where, when and what amount to irrigate, fertilize and spray pesticide in various dosages.
Blue River Technology of California has developed a robotic tractor that traverses lettuce fields, identifying defective lettuce heads, spraying
them with a substance that causes them to wither, thus enabling the healthy lettuce to grow. California, where 90% of the lettuce consumed in
American households is grown, is suffering from a shortage of skilled manpower, which, until now, has performed this work manually.
As with the lettuce, humanrobotic systems can be developed for more complicated tasks, such as automatic orange picking, pruning of fruit
trees, and more. Robotic systems with computerized vision guidance may perform difficult, repetitive tasks faster and with greater precision,
where the farmer is fed information from the robotic system and is integrated in decisionmaking processes. As a result, both elements – man
and machine – may be utilized to their maximum effectiveness.
One of the main directions in which innovative technologies in agriculture are now being implemented is the reduction of loss, which currently
diminishes world harvests by up to 30%. Computerized vision technologies discover weeds, diseases and pests as early as possible, in order to
prevent serious damage to crops in fields and groves – from the sorting of seeds, to identification and treatment of pests in cultivated areas, and
to the harvesting and treatment of produce in packing houses, cold storage of fresh produce and processed foods.
In packing houses after harvesting, cameras inspect all produce and divide it into groups according to the required storage conditions and
quality. This extends storage time and keeps the produce from spoiling. Vision systems are integrated into various stages of treatment of fresh
produce and processed foods, such as sorting the good peas from the pod or the best carrot cubes or peanuts at a rate of hundreds of pieces per
second. Fish in ponds may be sorted by means of camera as well.
An opportunity to join the revolution
In Israel, several companies have developed innovative systems for the sorting of agricultural produce, such as the Crystal Vision datesorting
system developed at Kibbutz Samar in the Arava Valley, or the Eshet Eilon sorting systems made on Kibbutz Eilon.
However, all of this is nothing compared to the great potential of technological development in agriculture, and the current acute shortage of
such technologies. Israel now has the opportunity to join the revolution, which is currently being led by the major U.S. corporations. The most
acute shortage of development of technologies lies in Europe, especially the Netherlands and Italy, with their vast farmlands.
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