In an interview with Lead Technologist, Tom Jenkins, Innovate UK layout their predictions for the future of food. In the Interview Jenkins explains how precision farming and the application of diagnostic and sensor technology will keep food production affordable. This will be achieved through the implementation of various technologies and innovative farming strategies, allowing farmers access to data which will provide them with the information necessary to operate more efficiently. One of the examples mentioned in the video interview was that of vertical farming. This is a new strategy developed which Innovate UK predict can increase crop production by 500%. Combining this with other technologies such as hydroponics will remove the need for soil intensive crop production, and will enable the use of brownfield sites in cities, tackling another major issue for crop production, space. The advantage of this kind of technology is that it allows crop production continue through out the year, removing the issue of seasonal production faced by many conventional farmers. It further allows an increase in the quality, yield and the shelf life of the produce, making it easier to transport it to hard to reach locations, making it a viable solution for food insecurity. Jenkins goes on to discuss the rise in demand for protein across the globe. The example of China was used, as their meat consumption has increased drastically with the emergence of the middle class and only seeks to follow this trend. Meanwhile in Europe, the demand for vegetable based protein is rising. The organisation outline a few potential strategies that could be used to meet these demands. One possible solution mentioned was the use of insect protein. The company suggest that they could use this in a ground form to produce items such as protein bars for human consumption, as well as introducing it into animal feed to provide them with a natural source of protein. Another technology discussed in the video was gene editing. This technology has the potential to be wide reaching and have a big global impact. Gene editing could remove the elements of certain foods which are linked with intolerance and allergies. These new technologies and strategies discussed by Innovate UK have the potential to tackle a lot of the social, environmental and economic problems that we are facing today, and could be an influencing factor on the future development of the food system.
