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EQUIPMENT
Trends such as vertical farming and the use of data are gaining significance to enable food systems to cope with increasing challenges.
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Adopting modern methods will be important to ensure an efficient food supply chain.
Novel methods revitalising agriculture
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HE GLOBAL PANDEMIC has highlighted the need for proactive measures to strengthen food systems. Andre Laperriere, the executive director of Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) highlights the fragility of the supply chain and the need to implement vertical farming to create selfdependant cities. "In the current climate, adopting modern methods in agriculture will be key to ensuring an efficient food supply chain. With the challenges we are faced with, the need to develop more resilient food economies which make cities, regions and communities more sustainable and selfsufficient is crucial. Adopting to vertical farming methods would be one of the best answers to creating sustainable and resilient local food systems, especially if used in cities or areas where land access is limited. This will also help lift the strain on other allied supply chains and benefit the environment though minimal carbon footprints. It is perhaps one of the most efficient and innovative methods, as it allows for more crops to be grown with soil-less farming
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techniques. These systems can be carried out in shipping containers, buildings and even tunnels, makes it easier to distribute food and develop greater self-sufficiency Cities and towns can really benefit from this innovation for creating a local supply chain, leaving large farms to tackle critical intensive agricultural processes. Finally, to scale up the process to feed cities the size of London or Berlin, we would need to ensure data transparency and knowledge sharing of best practices. Vertical farming techniques already rely on an extensive array of data (to better calibrate inputs within the vertical farming among other things), and we must ensure this information is accessible for innovators
“Adopting to vertical farming methods would be one of the best answers to creating sustainable and resilient local food systems,� Andre Laperriere, executive director, GODAN.
across the world to replicate, collaborate and finetune this innovation in an open source platform. Unless we ensure open data in this field, we would deny the world a better chance at solving one of the most deep rooted problems - hunger and sustainability," said Laperriere. GODAN - Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition, a UN and UK & US government supported initiative to propagate open data polices in agriculture and nutrition across the world. Technology and data The pandemic has shown us the significance of technology to stay connected. Technological advancements play a major role in keeping a steady supply of food crop in the market, as well as in improving the livelihoods for farmers. A data programme spearheaded by UN's Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA) and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) aims to transform Africa's agriculture.. The Africa Centre for Statisitcs is exploring innovative methods such as an earth observation satellite to provide information on agriculture. h
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