So why farming? Isn't that super low tech?
Well, it turns out that it isn't as low tech as people think. Current farms are actually already equipped with plenty of sensors and automated systems today, at least in the developed part of the world. Tomatoes and other fruit or vegetables are already commonly picked through fully automated systems.
With the technology we have, we can do much better right now through technology developed by Internet of Things, automation and artificial intelligence companies.
Since food production is pretty central to everybody's needs, it is no surprise that there is significant interest in bringing more tech to farming.
But interestingly enough, it doesn't stop at fruits and veggies. We're making some very interesting progress in providing purified water as well as meat to the table through innovation and some cool twists and turns.
In fact some companies are pushing forward to total automation of farms, taking the human worker out of the equation altogether. This is all well and good in the West, but in developing countries, where employment is a need, it may not be such a good idea to automate farms. Or at least, there is a different kind of thought that needs to be put to it.
On the other hand, startups like Farm in a Box have developed a very cool way to both modernize and make accessible farming for communities in any area of the world, by literally putting all you need to feed a 150 person community in a converted shipping container and selling those to organizations, communities or individuals. All you need is access to about 2 acres of arable land and the Box covers all the other bases.
So, technology and smart thinking wins again for the little guy.
Problem with unclean water? Pretty important for your health to have some. Well, once again, you're covered by innovative research like the guys at the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. They figured out a way to purify water using only sunlight and about a square meter of a material they invented. The material costs $1.60 per square meter so it's super cheap, therefore even people in very poor countries could potentially generate 3-10 liters of water a day using that surface area.
Science can solve real problems and we see it here, especially since 10% of the world population doesn't have access to water safe to drink....
Finally, let's talk about meat. Many people think that the meat production industry is cruel and in some cases, kind of unsanitary despite the regulations. Well since meat comes from animals (and fish), there is little choice but to kill the animals to access the meat is there.. Or is there?
How about growing our own tasty meat using cell cultures and a keg? A lot of people would be even more displeased at the prospect of eating meat that was grown in a tub at home, but what if the meat is safe, tastes great, cheap, devoid of harmful chemicals and hormones etc..... Would you even try it?
I would. Why not? Heck if I can even control the very flavor of the meat at home, just like making your own wine, and on top of it all, I'm sparing animals some necessary labor or suffering? No problem. I'll taste you meat.
Well, growing your own meat is not a new thing but new advances in cell research have brought us closer to the realization of exactly what I just described above.
Heck, if in 2013, the first lab-grown meat burger was eaten after a year of growth, and at a cost of 300,000 Euros, I can imagine we can do better, faster, and cheaper in 2017.
Paul Mozdziak of North Carolina State University says that we may be able to see mass-produced meat (probably avian to start) in markets in 3-5 years based on the experiments he's running.
In 3-5 years, for sure, I'll be strapping on my shirt protector and ready to dig into some vat-grown chicken if given any opportunity, and I'll see for myself!
Bon appetit!
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