May 16, 2025 | 10:04 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Wednesday- 09:53, 29/11/2023

The next big technologies in food and agriculture for 2023

(VAN) From solar-powered farm equipment to the world’s first vaccine designed for bees, these technologies are bringing much-needed change to our food systems.
Transforming carbon dioxide into fertilizer is now possible: the operational facility is in Switzerland

Transforming carbon dioxide into fertilizer is now possible: the operational facility is in Switzerland

The food system is at a pivotal moment: The agriculture sector has a massive carbon footprint, and the extreme weather caused by climate change is making farming more difficult. But the problems are also driving technological innovation in the industry, from solar-powered, robotic farm equipment to the world’s first vaccine designed for bees.

Aigen

For taking robotic farming off the gridAigen‘s robotic weeding machine is designed to make it possible for farmers to avoid using expensive, unsustainable herbicides. As the robot rolls down a row of crops, it uses AI to recognize and uproot weeds and analyze crop data. Unlike other robotic farming equipment, it doesn’t require fuel or recharging. A solar panel on the top provides most of the power, doubling as a sail that can capture wind energy. The wheels also have regenerative motors that capture more energy. 

Dalan Animal Health

For creating the first honeybee vaccineBees face multiple stresses, from climate change to pesticides. Last winter, beekeepers in the U.S. lost around half of their hives. Dalan Animal Health is focused on one challenge—a highly contagious disease called foulbrood that threatens bees worldwide. The company developed the first-ever vaccine for bees, which is given to a queen bee to pass on to her offspring. After nabbing a conditional license from the FDA in late 2022, Dalan started piloting the vaccine with thousands of hives.

Windfall Bio

For transforming carbon pollution into fertilizerFarming is a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas (cow burps, we’re looking at you). But Windfall Bio has found a novel way to make use of the pollution. By boosting natural methane-eating microbes in the soil, it’s possible to capture methane from the air and put it to work as organic fertilizer for crops. That helps solve a second climate challenge: Synthetic fertilizer is typically made from fossil fuels and has a large carbon footprint itself. 

HD

(FC)

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

(VAN) Fourth most important food crop in peril as Latin America and Caribbean suffer from slow-onset climate disaster.

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

(VAN) Shifting market dynamics and the noise around new legislation has propelled Trouw Nutrition’s research around early life nutrition in poultry. Today, it continues to be a key area of research.

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

(VAN) India is concerned about its food security and the livelihoods of its farmers if more US food imports are allowed.

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

(VAN) FAO's Director-General emphasises the need to work together to transform agrifood systems.

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

(VAN) Europe is facing its worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth since the start of the century.

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

(VAN) The central authorities, in early April, released a 10-year plan for rural vitalization.

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

(VAN) Viterra marked a significant milestone in its carbon measurement program in Argentina, called Ígaris, reaching 1 million soybean hectares measured.

Read more