According to the Global Report on Food Crises, a staggering 155 million individuals across 55 nations were grappling with food insecurity in 2023, marking a record-breaking figure since the report’s inception in 2018.
It is imperative that everyone contributes towards the cause of providing food to those who require it. Various solutions, including the implementation of software and technology, are being explored to yield favourable outcomes towards this issue.
The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture asserts that there are around 2.02 million farms in the US, each spanning an average area of 444 acres. These farms hold the capability to make a substantial impact towards the worldwide fight against hunger, however, this potential is yet to be fully harnessed.
Regrettably, several family-run farms are not thriving due to the current scenario. Nevertheless, with technological advancements, farmers can now effectively supervise and manage the state of their land, livestock, and practices.
Dimitra is at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative that has the potential to transform the agriculture sector with big data. Through the deployment of soil sensors connected to machine learning algorithms under the ambit of Internet of Things (IoT), they are extending mentorship and counsel to Indian farmers in formulating optimal farming strategies. This endeavour is anticipated to engender improved living conditions and enhanced crop production in financially disadvantaged populations.
Editing of the Human Genome
It was once believed that changing someone’s genetic composition was an unattainable feat. Nevertheless, we have been altering the genetics of organisms, such as plants, in a rudimentary manner for centuries. Through these manipulations, we can augment their nutritional quotient, impart immunity towards diseases and other adversities, and even heighten their yield potential, consequently leading to a surge in food supply.
Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are pioneered by biotechnology. Numerous small farms have experienced better production of healthier and financially viable crops by implementing the techniques and technology of genetic modification and engineered organisms (GE and GMO).
The Nutritious Maize for Ethiopia project has played a crucial role in enhancing food security and nutrition for families in Ethiopia, as more than 3.98 million individuals have reaped the benefits of adopting high-quality protein maize. These upgraded cultivars have been made accessible to end consumers and are poised to be advantageous to both consumers and farmers alike.
Extensive Informational Data
When the pandemic first emerged, the LIVEKINDY Collective embarked on an ambitious mission to transform global food systems, emphasising on augmenting the accessibility of plant-based meals, fortifying food supply chains, and cultivating plant seeds that necessitate minimal irrigation. To bolster its data proficiency, the Collective has collaborated with Genpact, a distinguished digital transformation agency offering professional services.
By implementing data-powered tactics, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) proficiencies, LIVEKINDLY has efficiently managed to undertake swift expansion. This has empowered enterprises with comprehensive discernment regarding consumer buying patterns and dietary inclinations while also securing financial support in enhancing their operations.
To aid LIVEKINDLY in delivering its objective of elevating farmers’ output, thereby reducing the cost of producing plant-based food, Genpact is utilising its prowess in data visualisation to scrutinise crop science data alongside meteorological, soil, and cultivation conditions to determine the preeminent techniques and venues for crop farming.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Alibaba Group have collaborated to establish Hunger Map LIVE, which employs data analytics to predict and monitor food insecurity concerns in over 90 nations. AI technology is utilised to amass and evaluate data pertaining to environmental, nutritional, geopolitical factors and other vital aspects to formulate a dynamic map that indicates regions of the world experiencing food insecurity.
Analysis of Worth
The World Food Programme has engineered an application called Dalili, which is instrumental in thwarting malnutrition and hunger issues prevalent amongst migrants. This software links users with retailers providing reasonably priced, healthy food, and furnishes information regarding product availability, store operating hours, as well as the location of nearby retail associates. Users can access storefront images, enabling them to acclimate themselves with the place better.
software linksWorldbay Technologies, a Nigerian-based enterprise, has granted low-income households access to the Grocedy platform to aid them in finding affordable groceries. This crowdsourcing platform amasses funds to furnish its customers with wholesale discounts on unadulterated, nutritious food.
Satellite-enabled Telematics
The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), a subdivision of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has collaborated with the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) and the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) (CAS) to leverage satellite technologies for combating global hunger issues.
The CropWatch Innovation Cooperation Programme strives to assist countries in ensuring food security by imparting knowledge on utilising satellite technology to fortify sustainable agricultural initiatives. The programme disseminates information pertaining to farming techniques, climate anomalies, meteorological trends, and other related subjects, besides issuing notifications on the status of monitored crops. The objective is to endow nations with the proficiency required to monitor crop yields in real-time, with greater precision.
The global crisis of food insecurity is a pressing concern, and it is imperative for each one of us to assume the responsibility and take measures to aid those afflicted by it. Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), satellites (Sat) and applications (Apps), are fundamental in shaping a future where every individual has access to vital healthcare and other indispensable resources necessary for a wholesome and prolonged life.
