Sustainable agricultural innovation

Author: Noé Eduardo Martínez Sahagún / Lead Auditor in Primary Production Management Systems

When we talk about overpopulation, we may think of situations close to us, such as expensive housing, traffic, resource scarcity, pollution, and global warming. Or we may think of countries where the manifestations of this global phenomenon are already visible. According to the UN, “The world’s population currently stands at 8.2 billion people and will grow over the next sixty years, reaching its peak at about 10.3 billion people,” who, as we know, try to eat regularly.

But have you ever wondered where the food comes from to feed the nearly 9 billion people who live on our planet daily? And no, the answer is not from supermarkets, but from agriculture, which must produce food to nourish us today and, in the future, with increasingly fewer resources and more challenges. Is it possible to produce a large quantity of food while being in harmony with the environment? What will food production look like in the future?

Meeting humanity’s food needs and protecting the environment is only possible by developing and implementing precision agriculture. Since the technical innovations that gave rise to the “green revolution” in the 1960s, methods have been developed to increase the amount of food produced by the land to meet global food demand. It is important to mention the context of that revolution, as the current problems did not exist, and the availability of numerous resources facilitated the efficiency of these practices. However, today, limited by many factors such as pests, water scarcity, infertile soil, climate change, and economic issues, etc., much more food must be produced with fewer resources.

Activities such as precision irrigation, soil and plant analysis, the use of drones or satellites, and practices like crop rotation, agroecology, the use of organic fertilizers, and responsible soil management are strategies that help conserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and reduce water and air pollution.

Sustainable agricultural innovation emerges as a strategic response to this problem, integrating technologies, practices, and knowledge that allow for responsibly increasing productivity. This new vision of agriculture promotes a balance between economic efficiency, social equity, and ecological sustainability, driving production systems that are resilient and adapted to current and future challenges.

Research, digitalization, and the rational use of resources have become fundamental pillars for transforming the agri-food sector toward a more just and sustainable model.

Another important aspect is the role of farmers, who must be trained and supported to innovate in these new ways of producing. Collaborations with educational institutions, companies, communities, and governments are fundamental to putting these activities into practice on the ground and ensuring they are accessible to everyone, regardless of the size of their production.

Sustainable agricultural innovation represents a key tool for facing current challenges in food production, climate change, and the conservation of natural resources. Through clean technologies, regenerative practices, and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific advances, it is possible to transform agricultural systems into more resilient, efficient, and environmentally friendly models. Fostering this innovation not only ensures the sustainability of the agricultural sector but also food security and the well-being of present and future generations.

References:

[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Agrifood Systems. Viewed online at: https://www.fao.org/food-systems/en on 11/04/2025.

[2] United Nations (UN). 17 Goals to Transform Our World. Viewed online at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ on 11/04/2025.