Fighting hunger and malnutrition is the second of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This goal is intended to guide governments and civil society in creating strategies to combat global hunger. This goal comes second only to the first, which is the eradication of poverty in all its forms everywhere.
How is global hunger?
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United Nations data point out that hunger already affects about 9.8% of the population, equivalent to 828 million people, in 2021. The percentage increased from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
In the same sense, in addition to the chronic situation of hunger and food insecurity on the planet, the world population will increase, according to United Nations Population Fund estimates (UNFPA). Today, there are already more than 8 billion inhabitants on Earth, but in 2080 this number should reach 10.4 billion people.
Thus, in order to reduce the pressure on natural resources and contribute with ideas on how to combat hunger, food production takes on new contours and requires the use of technology and innovation. All this to make more food without harming the environment and meeting everyone's needs.
In this sense, innovative strategies developed in recent years can be useful for this scenario. Discover some of them now:
1. urban agriculture
Urban and metropolitan areas can be used as great planting and harvesting spaces, from so-called vertical farms, rooftops, houses and small spaces of land.
In the same sense, trees can also be a source of food, in addition to contributing to maintaining the climate and temperature of the urban environment to avoid the famous heat islands.
2. precision agriculture
The use of technology in agribusiness is already a reality and contributes to greater precision in planting and harvesting food.
Precision agriculture makes use of drones, sensors, digital and geospatial mapping, and more. technological equipment that indicate the amount of water, fertilizers and other chemical products used for the plantation.
3. Food coated with plants
This food production technique aims to increase the average lifespan of perishable products, such as fruits and vegetables.
Thus, these foods are coated with edible plant coverings, which act as a way to get water in and get oxygen out of the food. This organic layer is invisible, healthy and does not change the taste of the food.
In conjunction with these three techniques, the use of insect protein and climate-resistant crops are also alternatives to relying less on natural resources, such as land for pastures.
4. aquaponics
This is a food production system that combines fish farming (aquaculture) with growing plants in water (hydroponics) in an integrated, recirculated system.
Aquaponics can produce high quality food with a much smaller environmental footprint than traditional methods. traditional food production methods, making it a promising option for the sustainable production of foods.
5. Lab-grown food
Lab-grown meat, also known as cultured meat, is produced from animal cells without the need to raise and slaughter animals. This breakthrough has the potential to radically transform the meat industry, reducing its environmental impact and improving animal welfare.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food production
AI is being used to predict yields, detect plant and animal diseases, and optimize food supply chain logistics.
With the use of AI, producers can make more informed and accurate decisions, improving efficiency and productivity.
7. Apps to reduce food waste
Food waste is a significant problem contributing to the food crisis. Apps are being developed to help consumers and businesses reduce waste, whether it's connecting consumers with surplus food from restaurants and supermarkets, or helping farmers find markets for their products surplus.
