In a world where technology is king and innovation can mean the difference between survival or failure, no industry can afford to stand still. And agriculture is no exception to this rule. The way we approach food production is changing as we strive to establish more reliable means through which to feed a growing and ever-more urbanised global population. Crucial to enabling this change will be working out a way for technological advances to complement traditional farming techniques so the two can co-exist in harmony.

In the second instalment of our three-part series, we continue to break down key considerations and impacts facing the agriculture and food production industries over the next five to ten years. Previously we focused on the skills requirements evolving and being reimagined as the Agriculture 4.0 future progresses. We now move forward to look more closely at the possibilities that open up for plant science when greater precision in the growing environment becomes possible.

In that light, we are delighted to welcome to Clima one of the most instrumental members of the IGS team: our in-house Plant Scientist, Dr Csaba Hornyik. Originally hailing from Hungary, Csaba is now based at our Crop Research Centre near Dundee, Scotland, and is responsible for driving forward crop trials both for customers and our own R&D.

Drawing on his wealth of experience, we discuss how the ability to take precise control of the climate within an indoor growing environment can help enhance our understanding of plant science and the potential opportunities this generates for food production. We explore the benefits of automation in a vertical farm and look at how technology has opened up opportunities for collaboration.

Through Clima, our aim is to share a broad range of thought-provoking, relevant and innovative perspectives across our network and beyond. We hope that you find this latest edition interesting and would welcome your feedback.

Best wishes,

David Farquhar, CEO, IGS