How Innovations can Combat Food Insecurity

Over the past 3 years, I have visited farmers in China, Italy, and Egypt. In every country, one thing stood out—they don’t guess. They farm with data. Precise. Timely. Actionable. In China, I met greenhouse tomato farmers using sensors to monitor humidity, temperature, and soil moisture. Every irrigation cycle is based on real-time data. No water is wasted. Yields are consistent. In Italy, olive growers use drones and satellite data to map tree health, identify disease early, and plan their harvest to perfection. In Egypt, large farms in the desert rely on smart irrigation systems connected to data dashboards that track rainfall, sunlight, and soil nutrients. These farmers don’t treat agriculture as a gamble. They treat it as a science. And I kept asking myself: Why not Africa? Africa is home to 60% of the world’s arable land. But many farmers still rely on tradition and guesswork. I believe this is the moment to change that. Data-driven agriculture could be the single most powerful shift in how African farmers produce food. Think about this: A smallholder maize farmer in Rwanda using a mobile app to know exactly when to plant based on weather forecasts. A dairy farmer in Kenya tracking milk output using digital tags on cows. A cocoa farmer in Ghana receiving real-time market prices and fertilizer advice via SMS. These are no longer dreams. These tools already exist. The question is—how do we scale them? It starts with building digital infrastructure. Governments must invest in rural internet, weather stations, and open agricultural data platforms. Policies must support innovation. Not block it. Private companies and startups have a huge role. They can build mobile apps, data dashboards, precision farming tools, and sensor technologies tailored to small farms. NGOs can step in to train farmers and ensure these tools are not just available—but understood. When farmers can access and interpret data, they can: Reduce input waste. Predict pests and diseases. Know the best time to plant and harvest. Make smarter financial decisions. Data is not just numbers. Data is power. I think of data as the new hoe. The new fertilizer. The new seed. It gives farmers confidence. It gives buyers transparency. It gives governments the insights needed to plan for food security. Data is how we will turn farming from survival to strategy. From unpredictable to profitable. And just like we extract oil and minerals, we must learn to extract insights from data. The future of African farming will not be built on land alone. It will be built on information. Information that is timely, accessible, and localized. This is not just innovation. This is transformation. And Africa is ready. #TheMugabofarmer #FeedAfrica #SmartFarming #DataDrivenAgriculture #DigitalFarming

**New Article Alert**: Our research team implemented and explored a home-delivered produce prescription program to tackle food insecurity among families with young children. Key Highlights: 1. Impact on Food Security and Financial Relief: The PRx intervention helped families by providing fresh produce deliveries, which alleviated financial stress and allowed them to stretch their food budgets. This support enabled families to prioritize fresh produce over staples and reduced concerns about food affordability, especially during economic hardships like COVID-19. The program supplemented existing food assistance (e.g., SNAP, WIC) and improved food literacy, helping participants make informed choices and better manage their resources. 2. Promotion of Healthy Eating Behaviors and Skills Development: The program increased families' fruit and vegetable consumption and encouraged them to experiment with new produce. Virtual cooking classes and nutrition education resources led to positive shifts in food preparation skills and healthier eating habits. Participants reported trying new foods, reducing processed food intake, and incorporating more diverse, healthy options into their diets. The home-delivery model effectively enhanced nutrition security through both improved access to produce and educational support. 3. Enhanced Family Engagement: The program fostered quality family time by encouraging cooking together, leading to shared experiences and healthier eating practices. Participants enjoyed involving their children in meal preparation, which strengthened family bonds and established healthier habits.  4. Development of new framework: Research team developed new innovative framework to assess and implement PRx initiatives based on the qualitative data This research underscores the importance of Produce Prescription (PRx) programs in supporting families and influencing future work in this space. Food is a powerful tool to transform health from the inside out, lets work together to ensure families have access, availability, and interest. Read more about our findings and their implications for nutrition and food security below. Lastly, I must say that I always appreciate teaming up with my colleagues and mentees. Congratulations everyone! Graciela Caraballo Anar Parmar Hemen Muleta, MD Noah Kim Laura Fischer Qadira M. Ali, MD, MPH, FAAP, DipABLM Brent Ling Kurt Hager Senbagam Virudachalam #FoodasMedicine #FoodSecurity #NutritionSecurity #ProducePrescription #PublicHealth #Families

Glad to have an op-ed on IFC - International Finance Corporation’s work on Agtechs published in South Africa’s The Star newspaper today.   In it, I explore how partnerships between AgTech firms and financial institutions can transform African agriculture which is dominated by smallholder farmers.   In Morocco, we’re working with SOWIT | AgriTech and AgriFinance and Alamana Microfinance Maroc to equip wheat farmers with better data and access to credit. The result? Higher yields, better prices, and nearly doubled incomes. In Nigeria, we are working with Babban Gona and Sterling Bank to scale Babban Gona's reach. Similar projects are underway in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Ethiopia. All have promising early results.   These partnerships show what’s possible when we connect digital innovation with financial inclusion across the agriculture value chain.   This is about more than farming and technology. It’s about unlocking economic opportunity and creating jobs not just in farming communities but across countries and borders, while building resilience to shocks and supporting macroeconomic stability.   Africa holds a quarter of the world’s arable land yet produces just 10% of global output. We can change that.   By increasing access to credit to farmers, aligning lending with planting cycles, and giving farmers the tools to succeed, we’re helping shape a more secure, more productive future for Africa and all who live here.   #agtech #jobs #foodsecurity #IFC #Africa   https://lnkd.in/eynM-Emk  

Have you heard, “I just got back from traveling Europe and the food was so fresh”? I have heard this repeatedly and experienced it myself.  While those of us who live in the U.S. have a great selection of produce to choose from whether we go to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market, Costco Wholesale, or your local supermarket, what many people do not know is that on average the produce you purchase is picked 14 days earlier.  That means during the 14 days in transit to you it has been losing nutrients and freshness. The food you eat in little European towns is often coming from a local farm so it may have been picked just a day or so before.  This reminds me of my Uncle Mark on the North Shore of Oahu bringing us fish for dinner that he had caught just hours earlier!  Nothing like sushi provided by Ohana! I recently read Mustafa Suleyman's book, The Coming Wave and one of the items he highlights is vertical farming.  I then came across the video in the comments that shows hyperlocal farming, but imagine what you see in this video but 100 stories tall! Or as you see in the video about Swegreen Farm in Sweden, imagine walking into your local supermarket and picking fresh produce grown right there, inside the store. No long supply chains, no delays, just ultra-fresh, hyper-local produce at your fingertips. That is what Swegreen's in-store vertical farm in Sweden is doing. Witnessing this blend of agriculture and retail is nothing short of revolutionary. While I spend a lot of my day focused on AI, there are so many technologies that are changing our lives and, in this case, for the better.  The more humans can eat fresher food filled with more nutrients, the more they can mitigate downstream health issues. The closer we can food to populations the more opportunity we have to fight food insecurity. In the case of vertical farms, we can also reduce soil and water usage significantly.  The last statistics I saw indicated that vertical farms use ZERO soil and only 10% of the water the same-sized traditional farm would use. Swegreen's system can yield up to 60 kg of fresh greens weekly, right within the supermarket. This approach reduces transportation emissions and ensures the produce is harvested at peak freshness, enhancing nutritional value and taste.  Vertical farming utilizes space optimally, making it feasible even in urban retail environments. Integrating farming into retail spaces is not just a novelty, it is a glimpse into the future of sustainable living. As urban areas expand and the demand for fresh produce grows, such innovations could become commonplace, redefining our relationship with food sources. What are the newest technologies that have you excited?

🌱 Revolutionizing Agriculture: From Waste to Innovation 🌱 Imagine applying a small electrical current to organic waste and transforming it into a precision fertilizer that targets exactly what your soil and crops need. This isn't science fiction—it's the future we're building today. I'm excited to share our latest research published in Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering: "Electrochemical organic waste conversion: a route toward food security and a circular economy" - available open access (https://lnkd.in/gDPghrDt) The Challenge: * The Haber-Bosch process consumes 1-2% of global energy * By 2050, nitrogen demand will increase 50% with growing population * Currently, 80% of applied nitrogen leaches into the environment, costing $200 billion annually * 2.59 billion tons of waste are generated annually, with 60% being organic Our Solution: Through electrochemical conversion, we can transform municipal wastewater biosolids to provide at least 9% of nitrogen and 32% of phosphorus needs in the United States. We're envisioning distributed production facilities that turn local waste streams into customized fertilizers. The Chemical Engineering Transformation: This paradigm shift demands chemical engineers who combine traditional process expertise with: ✓ Agricultural chemistry and soil science knowledge ✓ Data analytics for remote facility management ✓ Waste treatment and resource recovery technologies ✓ Direct stakeholder engagement with farmers We're not just changing how we make fertilizers—we're reimagining the entire agricultural value chain. From centralized production to distributed, efficient systems that turn waste into valuable resources. The role of chemical engineers as leaders in this transformation is critical. We have the unique skill set to bridge electrochemical science and practical agricultural solutions. 📖 Read the full open access article to discover how we can feed the world while creating value from waste streams. # CASFER # NSF #CircularEconomy #ChemicalEngineering #FoodSecurity #Innovation #WasteToValue #Agriculture #Research What excites you most about this waste-to-fertilizer transformation? 👇

This shipping container grows 2.5 acres worth of food 🌱 (And they're heading to Haiti, Bolivia & Ethiopia) FarmBox Foods is transforming how we grow food in urban environments and harsh climates. 🌱 The Challenge: ↳ Climate change is threatening food security as traditional farming uses excessive water ↳ Around 20% of food system emissions come from transport 💫 The Innovation: ↳ Repurposed shipping containers into climate-controlled farms ↳ Use 95% less water than traditional methods, growing food year-round in any climate 🎯 The Applications: 1) Hydroponic farms for herbs and leafy greens 2) Gourmet mushroom cultivation 3) Animal fodder production for farms & zoos 4) Seedling growth for reforestation 🌿 Current Impact: ↳ Deploying 450 containers worldwide, to generate 100 million food servings in the next 6 years ↳Partnered with Core Electric to grow seedlings that will reforest Colarado’s wildfire zones 🎞️ Kudos to Farmbox Foods x Interesting Engineering for the video Where else would you want to see these deployed? 📥 Follow me for weekly insights on NatureTech and Nature Finance

INFINITIZING PLANT-BASED PROTEINS Plant-based #proteins – sourced from a variety of #plantbased foods such as legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and certain vegetables – have gained popularity due to their #health benefits, environmental #sustainability and #ethical considerations when compared with #animal-based proteins. An estimate of plant-based-protein #market #size pegged it at USD 13.3 billion in 2023 and at USD 19.2 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2023 to 2028 (MarketsandMarkets™ Research, 2024). Practically all or most plant-based proteins in the market today, however, are sourced from plant crops grown in #openfields -- and, thus, remain subject to the #disruptive #impact of #climatechange and perpetuate the #harmful aspects of conventional #openfield agriculture with respect to extensive use of #fertilizers, #pesticides and #irrigation water. Veganz Group AG, however, is set to transform and elevate the plant-based-protein industry by growing its pea crops indoors using the patented #OrbiFarm technology for indoor cultivation of staple foods -- developed and tested with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME and will be brought to an industrial-scale production plant ready for series production by Körber Technologies. OribiFarm-cultivated #pea plants “have double the fruit yield compared to conventional cultivation, but can also be harvested six times a year. The entire biomass, i.e. fruit, plant and root, can be used for further processing into protein raw materials for the industry, which drastically increases the yield and efficiency once again. This results in an #economic #efficiency that allows cultivation in indoor farming with the advantages of controlled environmental conditions.” Jan Bredack, Founder & CEO of Veganz Group, says that OrbiFarm enables “an #economically #viable solution for #foodsecurity . . . [that] can be used anywhere in the world, particularly in regions where agriculture is not possible today due to climatic conditions, and will ensure secure cultivation and a stable, predictable supply of plant proteins.” Effectively, OrbiFarm transforms plant-based proteins into an #Infinite #Agriculture innovation (#IA) -- characterized by being #regenerative, #selfperpetuating, #circular, #closedloop and controlled-environment -- with outsized #beneficial environmental and economic #impact including, among others, significantly #reduced #land and #water requirements, no pesticides, and 24/7-365 operation independent of geography, weather, season and climate. IA – whose principal #innovations encompass #VerticalFarming, #labgrown #meat, lab grown #seafoods, #mushroom #mycelium-based foods, #microalgae-based foods, #insectbased #feed #protein, and more – advances the long-overdue and much needed great #rebalancing of the Earth’s #foodsystems. The best is yet to come. Marc Stift Association for Vertical Farming, VertiFarm, Messe Dortmund GmbH FAO, USDA, University of Arizona

Proud to share my latest piece for Startup City Magazine: “𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵” In it, I argue we’ve entered a tipping point—urban agriculture is now essential infrastructure for cities facing climate shocks, food insecurity, and rising populations. 🔍 Too often the push has been on flashy automation and LEDs—rather than asking the right question: What are we trying to achieve? Is it food access? Education? Profit? Remediation? Each purpose demands different tech mixes, designs, and policies. 🏙️ Depending on the city, Low-to-mid-tech solutions—like greenhouses—often outperform in energy efficiency and ROI compared to high-energy vertical farms. But context matters: climate, energy costs, regulations, and rooftop capacity must align. 📣 The policy piece can’t be ignored. Cities such as Paris, Singapore, and Toronto are demonstrating success by pairing zoning reforms, green roof mandates, and procurement incentives to let diverse UA models thrive together. 🛡️ My core message: 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘆. If we embed food production into the urban fabric – guided by purpose, robust design, and strategic policy – we can build food systems that last. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gYsPfedY Follow Agritecture for more guidance for urban agriculture and climate smart agriculture!

Sometimes, the simplest ideas spark the biggest impact. Food waste is a trillion-dollar global issue—nearly one-third of all food produced is lost before it even reaches consumers. But what if we could slow spoilage without refrigeration, chemicals, or costly technology? Enter GreenPod Labs™, an India-based AgriTech startup that’s redefining how we keep produce fresh. Their innovation? A small, plant-based sachet that slows the ripening of fruits and vegetables by triggering their natural defense mechanisms. No complex machinery. No expensive preservatives. Just a smarter, nature-powered way to reduce waste, cut costs, and extend shelf life. According to GreenPod Labs founder, Deepak Rajmohan: "The compounds are made from plant-based edible products like extracts from corn and potato. Many Indian spices from our age-old traditions are also being used. Similarly, we extract compounds from plants, leaves, etc. In total, about 10-15 ingredients are used for the product." GreenPod’s simple yet powerful solution caught the attention of one of the world’s largest retailers, leading to a partnership with Walmart to test their technology on mangoes from Peru headed to the U.S. This milestone isn’t just a validation of GreenPod’s technology—it’s proof that creative, high-impact solutions can scale beyond borders. Here's what their success means for all of us: ☑️ Less food waste – Slower ripening prevents spoilage before food reaches shelves. ☑️ More sustainable supply chains – A natural way to extend shelf life without added energy consumption. ☑️ Global market expansion – GreenPod’s partnership with Walmart gives them a gateway to international distribution and massive scale. You'll likely be enjoying the fruits of their labor eventually. GreenPod Labs is showing us that real innovation isn’t about complexity—it’s about solving problems that matter. Here's what we can learn from them: 🔹 Small, scalable ideas can have global reach. One breakthrough in food science is now influencing supply chains worldwide. 🔹 The best innovations remove friction. GreenPod’s approach is simple, cost-effective, and easy to implement. 🔹 Impact fuels opportunity. By solving a major issue, GreenPod didn’t just build a great product—they unlocked doors to global growth. Innovation doesn’t always start with billion-dollar R&D budgets. Sometimes, it starts with a fresh perspective and a relentless commitment to solving real problems. What small, overlooked problems in your industry could spark game-changing ideas? Drop your thoughts below—let’s rethink what’s possible.

Innovations in Phosphorus Management: Enhancing Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture Phosphorus (P) is essential for plant metabolic processes and global food security, yet its finite reserves and inefficient use (PUE often <20%) present critical agronomic and environmental challenges. Cutting-edge research is advancing strategies to enhance P availability, reduce losses, and promote sustainable farming practices. Key advancements include: Specialty P-Fertilizers: Development of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers, including polymer-coated and reactive P-enhancing formulations, to improve soil P availability and uptake efficiency. Phosphorus-Solubilizing Microbes (PSMs): Leveraging microbial consortia, including bacteria and fungi, to solubilize soil-bound P and increase bioavailable P without adding excess phosphorus to soils. Precision Fertilizer Application: Transitioning from traditional broadcasting methods to targeted approaches, such as localized banding and fertigation, to maximize plant P acquisition and reduce runoff losses. P-Efficient Crop Varieties: Advancements in molecular breeding, including the identification of QTLs like Pup1 and the overexpression of Pi-transporter genes in rice, wheat, and soybean, to enhance P uptake and improve crop productivity under low-P conditions. These innovations hold immense potential for improving PUE, reducing environmental impacts, and ensuring sustainable and responsible plant nutrition globally.