Today's Word Search: In the future, farms are likely to be indoors, not outdoors!

Old McDonald had a farm, but the question is – is it efficient, sustainable and one that can work in the future, where there will be millions more people to feed?

Click start to play today’s agriculture themed Word Search.

In 2018, the World Government Summit published a report called ‘Agriculture 4.0: The Future of Farming Technology’, wherein they stated that since demand for food is rising due to an increase in the world’s population, by 2050, we will need to produce 70 per cent more food. Meanwhile, 800 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, and if things continue as they are, eight per cent of the world’s population – 650 million people – will still be undernourished by 2030.

This imbalance in the food creation and distribution system has to be addressed by governments, investors and the technology industry. To change the course of current agricultural practices, many of which are wasteful and haven’t undergone any innovation in centuries, farms across the world will have to be run very differently.

No longer can the world afford to apply water, pesticides and fertilisers across entire fields. The World Government Summit report sees a need for the use of sophisticated technologies, such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, global positioning systems (GPS) and aerial images to implement ‘precision agriculture’ – a more efficient, profitable, and environmentally friendly solution.

According to a July 2020 Forbes report, in order to adapt, the agriculture industry needs to use less water and chemicals, make crops less vulnerable to climate change, and produce more reliable yields. It’s a tall order, and easier said than done. But indoor farming could provide the answer – it’s an industry that is projected to reach $40.25 billion (Dh147.8 billion) by 2022.

Instead of pesticides, indoor farming uses LEDs (light emitting diodes), which are synced with the crops’ growth. It also uses less water and less land, thereby producing fewer emissions. Sensor systems ensure every plant is taken care of. In fact, the produce is grown with such precision that it is ready to eat and does not even require rinsing – further reducing water usage.

Farms have to undergo transformational innovations to produce food at the level required of them in the future. What do you think of the future of agriculture?

Play today’s Word Search and share your thoughts at games@gulfnews.com.