How smart farming can boost food production and sustainability

Introducing CottonWISE - Using Earth Observation to connect crop water use and sustainability standards in cotton farming. eLEAF is proud to kick off CottonWISE, an ESA-funded feasibility study that brings Earth Observation technology to the world of sustainable cotton production. Today, around 25% of global cotton is grown under sustainability standards. Yet, despite increasing concerns about global water scarcity, agricultural water use is still underrepresented in certification schemes and regulatory frameworks. CottonWISE (Water Intelligence and Sustainability Evaluation) not only explores how satellite-based monitoring can provide insights into water use at both field and basin scale, but also aims to include water use as a quantifiable criterion for sustainability certification. CottonWISE is designed as a modular EO-based monitoring system built around three services: ▪️ CottonWISE Decision Support – guiding on-farm water management and sustainability improvements. ▪️ CottonWISE Benchmarking –comparing water productivity across regions and cotton production systems. ▪️ CottonWISE Verification – verifying sustainability claims for certification and regulatory frameworks. During our one-year study, we will listen to and learn from the perspectives, goals, and challenges faced by different stakeholder groups in the cotton value chain. We will meet with certification bodies, industry organisations, producers, farmer cooperatives, and brands. Interested? ➡️ Contact us to get involved! A special thanks to European Space Agency - ESA and NSO - Netherlands Space Office for their support in making this study possible and to our WaterSENSE partners for providing the stepping stones. Stay tuned for updates!

Introducing CottonWISE - Using Earth Observation to connect crop water use and sustainability standards in cotton farming. eLEAF is proud to kick off CottonWISE, an ESA-funded feasibility study that brings Earth Observation technology to the world of sustainable cotton production. Today, around 25% of global cotton is grown under sustainability standards. Yet, despite increasing concerns about global water scarcity, agricultural water use is still underrepresented in certification schemes and regulatory frameworks. CottonWISE (Water Intelligence and Sustainability Evaluation) not only explores how satellite-based monitoring can provide insights into water use at both field and basin scale, but also aims to include water use as a quantifiable criterion for sustainability certification. CottonWISE is designed as a modular EO-based monitoring system built around three services: ▪️ CottonWISE Decision Support – guiding on-farm water management and sustainability improvements. ▪️ CottonWISE Benchmarking –comparing water productivity across regions and cotton production systems. ▪️ CottonWISE Verification – verifying sustainability claims for certification and regulatory frameworks. During our one-year study, we will listen to and learn from the perspectives, goals, and challenges faced by different stakeholder groups in the cotton value chain. We will meet with certification bodies, industry organisations, producers, farmer cooperatives, and brands. Interested? ➡️ Contact us to get involved! A special thanks to European Space Agency - ESA and NSO - Netherlands Space Office (Netherlands Space Office) for their support in making this study possible and to our WaterSENSE partners for providing the stepping stones. Stay tuned for updates!

🌱 Carbon Farming Trends: Challenges & Opportunities for Agritech 🌍 As the world moves closer to its net-zero targets, agriculture is finding itself at the center of the climate conversation. Covering nearly 12% of global land and contributing almost 30% of GHG emissions, farming is both a challenge and a solution. This is where carbon farming steps in — a growing practice where farmers and foresters adopt eco-friendly techniques such as conservation tillage, biochar application, regenerative farming, and agroforestry to sequester carbon, improve soil health, and reduce emissions. 🚀 Opportunities for Agritech Carbon Removal Credits (CRC): With growing demand from F&B, ESG investors, and financial institutions, carbon credits are creating new income streams for farmers. Tech Integration: Advancements in satellite-based MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) are making soil carbon tracking more affordable and scalable. Policy Support: The EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Regulation (CRCF) is boosting transparency and investor confidence, setting a benchmark for global frameworks. Market Potential: By 2050, sustainable practices could help capture over 5 billion tons of CO₂ annually, creating massive opportunities for innovation and financing. ⚠️ Challenges to Address High upfront investment needs (estimated $260B annually by 2030 for global agri-food systems). Lack of standardized measurement protocols across geographies. Farmer adoption barriers due to cost, awareness, and uncertain returns. For the Agritech industry, this intersection of policy, market demand, and technology is shaping an era of innovation. Startups and established players alike can build solutions that empower farmers, ensure transparency, and scale climate-positive practices. 💡 The takeaway: Carbon farming is no longer a side initiative—it’s becoming a core driver of sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. 👉 What do you think? Can carbon farming be the bridge between climate goals and food security? #carbonfarming #sustainableagriculture #agritech #climateaction #carboncredits #netzero

🚜🌱 Smart Farming Meets Next-Gen Tech 🌱🚜 Farmers today face rising costs, tougher regulations, and higher demand for sustainable food. Enter spray camera systems powered by the Enable-IT 8805M Mobile PoE Switch – a game-changer for modern agriculture. ✨ Here’s why this matters: 💵 Cut herbicide costs by up to 95% 🌍 Protect soil, water & biodiversity 📸 Real-time weed detection with AI + cameras ⚡ Rugged, mobile-ready PoE networking for tractors 📊 Collect field data to improve future yields The future of farming is precise, connected, and sustainable – and it’s happening now. 🌾 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gYPRMhhk #SmartFarming #PrecisionAgriculture #PoE #Networking #Innovation #Sustainability #FarmingTech #EnableIT

A recent report on technological advancements underscores the significant impact of smart farming in tackling pressing issues related to food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change. By leveraging innovative agricultural practices and advanced technologies, smart farming emerges as a critical solution to enhance productivity, minimize resource wastage, and adapt to shifting climatic conditions. The insights provided in the report emphasize the necessity of integrating modern techniques into agricultural systems to ensure a resilient food supply chain while promoting ecological balance. Ultimately, smart farming represents a transformative approach essential for fostering a sustainable future in the face of global challenges.

Mitigation + Adaptation Synergies in Climate-Smart Agriculture Climate change is no longer a distant challenge—it is reshaping agriculture today. Farmers are grappling with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased pest pressures. At the same time, agriculture itself contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. This is where Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) comes in, offering a holistic pathway forward. CSA is built on a triple goal: Increase productivity – ensuring farmers can grow more with fewer resources. Adapt to climate change – making crops, soils, and farming systems resilient. Reduce or sequester emissions – lowering agriculture’s climate footprint. The real power of CSA lies in identifying practices that deliver on more than one front, creating synergies between mitigation and adaptation. Take soil health practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic amendments. These not only improve water retention and resilience against drought (adaptation) but also enhance carbon sequestration and reduce fuel use (mitigation). Agroforestry systems integrate trees into farms. They provide shade and microclimate stability (adaptation), while simultaneously capturing carbon and diversifying farmer income (mitigation). Efficient water and nutrient management through drip irrigation or precision fertilization helps crops withstand weather extremes, while lowering nitrous oxide emissions from excess fertilizer use. By designing interventions that align productivity, adaptation, and mitigation, CSA ensures farmers are not forced to choose between survival and sustainability. Instead, they become partners in climate action. As businesses, policymakers, and researchers, our focus should be on scaling such co-benefit practices—backed by investment, training, and digital tools—to ensure agriculture becomes both resilient and climate-positive. The future of farming will belong to those who master this balance: producing more, adapting smarter, and emitting less. #ashwathygreen

🌱 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 – 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 🌍 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅 @ https://lnkd.in/gEY2vheF 🌱 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Vertical farming is revolutionizing global agriculture by enabling crop production in vertically stacked layers, often integrated into urban environments. With rising food demand, shrinking arable land, and increasing climate concerns, this innovative farming method offers a sustainable and technology-driven solution. 🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 🌍 Urbanization & Food Security – Rising urban populations demand fresh, locally produced food. 💧 Water Scarcity Solutions – Vertical farms use up to 90% less water compared to conventional farming. 🚜 Technological Advancements – Integration of IoT, AI, robotics, and hydroponic/aeroponic systems boosts yields. 🍅 Year-Round Production – Controlled environments eliminate seasonal dependency. 🌱 Organic & Pesticide-Free Produce – Meeting consumer demand for healthier food. ⚡ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 Higher productivity per square meter. Reduced transportation costs (farm-to-fork efficiency). Energy-efficient LED lighting enhances growth cycles. Sustainable practices lower environmental footprint. ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 High initial setup costs. Energy consumption for lighting and climate control. Limited crop variety compared to traditional farming. 🚀 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 The Vertical Farming Market is set for significant expansion, driven by government support, smart agriculture investments, and growing demand for sustainable food solutions. With continuous innovation, vertical farming will play a critical role in ensuring food security for future generations. #VerticalFarming 🌱#SmartAgriculture 🚜#UrbanFarming 🏙️#SustainableFarming 🌍#Hydroponics 💧#FoodSecurity 🍅

Mitti Labs is collaborating with The Nature Conservancy to promote climate-friendly rice farming practices across India. The initiative focuses on implementing sustainable agricultural techniques that aim to reduce methane emissions, a significant contributor to climate change. Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence, Mitti Labs verifies and quantifies the reductions in methane emissions associated with these practices. This partnership not only highlights the importance of innovative technology in agriculture but also emphasizes the commitment to environmental sustainability within the rice farming sector. By leveraging AI, Mitti Labs aims to enhance the effectiveness of climate-friendly practices, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of mitigating climate change impacts in the region.

Vertical farming in 2025 achieves up to **10 times higher crop yields per square meter** than traditional farming while using **70–95% less water**. It enables **year-round production in urban environments**, significantly reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions by localizing the food supply. This method also **minimizes pesticide use**, supports organic farming, and boosts urban food security by creating new economic opportunities in tech-driven agriculture[1]. By integrating advanced technologies like hydroponics, LED lighting, and automation, vertical farming maximizes space and resource efficiency. Urban farms shorten supply chains, delivering fresher produce with less environmental impact. This shift not only addresses challenges like land scarcity and climate change but also reshapes how cities sustain their populations. As vertical farming transforms food systems, how will your city leverage these innovations to ensure resilient and sustainable food security? #VerticalFarming #UrbanAgriculture #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #AgTech Source: https://lnkd.in/gJuuiZVp

In an op-ed published today by Solutions from the Land, I outlined a land steward perspective on how transformational, systemic change in production systems, enabled by precision agriculture, can meet worldwide mega-challenges. New approaches, innovations and technologies are key strategies for transforming farming systems to not only improve global food and nutrition security, but concurrently filter and store water, improve soil health, enhance biodiversity and mitigate climate change Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Johndeerestore https://lnkd.in/e-72TTne