Intelligent World 2030

Data-driven Food Production for More Bountiful, Inclusive, and "Green" Diets

By 2030, we will be producing multivariable maps of agricultural data, which will make precision farming possible. Collecting data will enable us to control factors affecting crop growth, such as temperature and humidity, so that we can build vertical farms unaffected by the uncertainties of climate and weather. 3D printing technologies are also introducing the possibility of artificial meat designed according to taste and dietary requirements. By 2030, we will be building more resilient and sustainable food systems and relying on firm data rather than the vagaries of the heavens.

Predictions

By 2030, there will be 200 billion connections worldwide. IPv6 adoption will reach 90%

By 2030, 1 YB of data will be generated annually worldwide, a 23-fold increase over 2020

Directions for Exploration

Using accurate data, not experience, to guide cultivation

Snapshot from the future: Precision farming based on visualized data graphs

With modern tools like sensors and mobile devices, farmers can remotely and accurately monitor soil moisture, ambient temperature, and crop conditions in real-time. This makes it possible to flexibly adjust agronomic measures, like sowing, irrigation, fertilizer, and seed adjustment, based on diverse data sets, to better align crops with the soil available. Take maize, for example. Data-powered adaptive sowing can increase crop yield by 300 to 600 kilograms per hectare of land.

Visualized data graphs for agriculture can help farmers make informed decisions regarding soil fertility, water, and nutrient delivery across key crop growth stages. These graphs can also help farmers better understand information such as local topographical characteristics, climate conditions, and crop diseases or pests so that they can better estimate crop yields, implement agricultural measures, and adjust budgets accordingly.

Visualized data graphs can also be used to monitor and manage agricultural production in real time, helping farmers make proactive, quick, and precise responses to changes in their environment. For example, in the event of extreme weathers, farmers can use this data to rapidly locate affected areas, develop solutions, and mitigate negative impacts on their yields.

Taking a "factory-like" approach to protect agricultural production from environmental conditions

Snapshot from the future: A new form of agriculture in intelligent vertical farms

In vertical farms, every step of the cultivation process, from sowing, to fertilizing, to harvesting, is closely monitored, with farmers precisely controlling light, temperature, water, and nutrient delivery based on the needs of each crop. By controlling every stage of crop growth and adjusting environmental parameters as needed, farmers are able to artificially create the ideal environment for their plants.

Vertical farms have three main advantages:

They don't need pesticides or soil, and reduce agricultural water waste.
They are not affected by climate, providing consistent and ideal conditions for fresh produce.
They provide smart agricultural models that are globally replicable.

Recent pilot programs for vertical farms have found that, if harvested every 16 days, a 7,000 square meters area can yield a staggering 900,000 kilograms of vegetables every year.

Low-carbon, 3D-printed solutions for meat

Snapshot from the future: Healthy and sustainable meat supply with 3D printing

Recent applications of 3D printing technologies have successfully improved the quality of artificial meat, making it better tasting and better looking to consumers. It has proven capable of turning both plant proteins and animal cells into artificial meat.

3D printing can use plant-based phytoproteins to build fibrous skeletons that closely mimic the texture of real meat. Alternatively, 3D printing can also be used to stack nutrient elements made of real animal cells to create the musculature and fat layers normally seen in animal tissue. Currently, 3D printing can be used to create many types of artificial meat, including pork, chicken, and beef, with the price of artificial beef quickly approaching the market price of real beef.