Kristina Sermuksnyte-Alesiuniene’s Post

The newly released 2024 European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 delivers a sobering message: #soildegradation across the EU is accelerating, threatening #foodsecurity, #biodiversity, and climate targets. 📈𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝟐𝟓% 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 are already degraded, with serious implications for agricultural output. 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 strips away 1.3 million tonnes annually, costing Europe 50€ billion per year by 2050. The decline of 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧-𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 undermines key climate mitigation strategies. 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 risks intensify under unsustainable farming practices and poor land management. For AgTech and FoodTech, these trends present significant challenges—but also opportunities for innovative solutions. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆? 🧪 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Innovations like soil sensors, AI, and remote monitoring can reduce inputs, minimize erosion, and optimize land use. 🌾 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: Solutions that integrate cover cropping, reduced tillage, and biodiversity restore soil health while improving yields. 🍄 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐬: Bio-based soil enhancers, such as fungi and bacteria, can reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. 🌍 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Carbon farming and soil carbon credits offer dual benefits for agriculture and climate goals. What players are changing the status quo of soil health? Tag the European VCs and startups that are making a difference. 👇 🔗 Download the full report for more insights in the link below ⬇️ Agreena AgriCapture xFarm Technologies Protealis Seqana AgroSustain SA Agrobiomics Agricarbon stenon Plantix #SoilHealth #AgTech #FoodTech #ClimateAction #RegenerativeAgriculture #FutureOfFood #WorldSoilDay #SustainableAgriculture

Climate change extreme cold hit the wine industry in the B.C. Okanagan Valley last winter. It essentially killed most of the red grapes in the valley. How do we make the winery and other agricultural producers more resilient to extreme climate? Innovation adoption is key in this industry to drive climate smart agriculture and create value adding industries that help foster new technology investments and sustainable jobs. I will be attending International Forum on Biotechnology and Bioeconomy in Bologna Italy Oct 3-4th and participate in a panel discussion with Italian and European colleagues on the importance value chains from Agriculture to Industries.

🌍 On this #EarthDay, we're thrilled to dive into the insights from "Harvesting Change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood systems transformation"! This groundbreaking report by FAO and CIRAD unveils key strategies for a sustainable agrifood future, particularly vital given the social and economic significance of the agricultural sector in most developing countries. 🚀 Embracing technological solutions: In the face of unprecedented challenges, technology emerges as a powerful catalyst for accelerating agrifood system transformation. From policy innovations to data-driven technologies, the report shows a spectrum of the 32 most promising solutions, meticulously categorized based on impact, timeline, and place of application. These innovations are even more crucial in emerging markets characterized by significant constraints. 🔍 Foresight methodologies to address the knowledge gap: By employing foresight methodologies, it navigates the complexities of emerging agrifood technologies offering insights into 5 future scenarios emphasizing timely adoption and integration of these innovations into real-world settings. This forward-looking approach informs long-term policy-making and guides investments in science, technology, and innovation (STI) towards resilience, ensuring a proactive stance in shaping our agrifood future. 🤝 Fostering collaborative action for impact: Recognizing the multifaceted nature of agrifood challenges, it emphasizes inclusive collaboration among stakeholders. Beyond technology, this call to action encompasses policy, social, and financial innovations, fostering transformative change. 🌱 In synthesizing these efforts, FAO and CIRAD outline a compelling vision of a future where technology, innovation, and policy converge synergistically to tackle the multidimensional challenges of agrifood systems. This convergence not only steers them towards sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity but also fosters a proactive and data-driven approach to shaping our agrifood future. ⬇️ Let's unite in paving the way for a sustainable agrifood future! Dive into the full report below and join us in driving impactful progress. 🌿 #EarthDay #Sustainability #Impact #AgriTech #FAO #CIRAD

I am honoured to co-author this chapter about 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 in the book “Digital Sustainability: Leveraging Digital Technology to Combat Climate Change" with Marilena Gemtou, PhD and Evangelos Anastasiou This chapter discusses how smart farming technologies are being used to optimise and transform agricultural practices and food systems to make them more sustainable and resilient to the climate change and food security crisis. It further elaborates on how the adoption of these technologies comes with various barriers and drivers which hinder or aid farmers in their transition to digital agriculture. It discusses some of AEIDL (European Association for Innovation in Local Development)'s work on BEATLES project EU analysing the European policy framework to support and monitor digitisation in agriculture and the food systems as well as the international visions of future food systems based on digital technology as espoused by international agencies such as the United Nations, FAO. OECD - OCDE and The World Bank 

Exciting News for Small Business Innovation in Agriculture! 🌱 The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced a major investment of $26.8 million to support small business-led research and commercialization through its SBIR and STTR programs. This funding will empower 42 small businesses, including MOVA Technologies to tackle critical challenges in agriculture and sustainability, addressing needs in areas like food science, climate resilience, and bio-based products. As one of the recipients, MOVA Technologies is proud to be part of this initiative, leveraging these resources to drive our mission of advancing sustainable direct air capture solutions for multiple pollutants in the agriculture sector. Together, we’re not just innovating – we’re shaping a more sustainable future for agriculture and beyond. For more on this announcement, read the full press release or see the list of funded companies. #Innovation #Agriculture #Sustainability #ClimateTech #SmallBusiness

Food Agility CRC broker, design and deliver innovation programs for the Australian agrifood industry, ensuring maximum impact for investment. They specialise in using data and digital technology to increase profits and improve sustainability. The Food Agility team, board and network of 80+ project partners span the agrifood, technology, research and government sectors. Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) support industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. It’s a proven model for linking researchers with industry to focus on research and development towards use and commercialisation. Further information about the Food Agility CRC, research programs, partners and much more https://lnkd.in/dGmfE4z9 #agriculture #naturalresourcemanagement #agricultureandfarming #farmingforthefuture - Department of Industry, Science and Resources - AusIndustry #digitalfarms #agtechnology #foodtechnology #robotics #AI #carbonneutralfarming #renewables #sustainability #datasharing #agrianalytics #traceability #circulareconomy #environment #university #digitaltechnology #agrifood

I'm looking forward to the Breakthrough Energy Summit and the opportunity to discuss critical climate solutions for achieving net-zero by 2050. One of these is digital agriculture, a solution which can support farmers’ adoption of climate-smart practices. In the article, "The Digital Agriculture Revolution Will Take More Than Innovation,” Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju, Sonya Hoo, Chris Mitchell, Shalini Unnikrishnan, Sushma Vasudevan, Younes Zrikem and I explore the challenges of scaling digital agriculture in developing countries: https://lnkd.in/eWdPX9hX Here are some key insights from the article: • Digital agriculture is a journey, requiring different stages of maturity. • Innovation needs growth-stage capital and strong business models. • Strengthening agricultural markets enhances digital solutions' impact. Increased collaboration among governments, private sector, and social organizations is key to advancing digital agriculture and driving impact. Looking forward to exchanging ideas and advancing these climate solutions at the summit. #BESummit24 #BCGatBESummit

🔙 Last week, the #WorldFoodForum 2024 brought key discussions to light—including how to make cutting-edge technology available to all farmers. At the Science and Innovation Forum 💡, global experts highlighted the importance of inclusive #innovation to address the challenges of food security, #ClimateChange, and sustainable farming. One of the key takeaways was the need to democratise access to agricultural technologies, such as #AI, digital platforms, and biotechnology, ensuring that small-scale and rural farmers are not left behind. 🌟 This aligns perfectly with the goals of #EASY4DIGIT, where we work towards equipping farmers with digital tools to boost efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance resilience. How can we ensure that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier, for farmers around the world❓ Discover further forum's insights here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRFJy6Mn Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Ankara Üniversitesi Çukurova Üniversitesi OnProjects Associazione Agricoltura è Vita COAG Jaén #WFF2024 #AgInnovation #DigitalSkills #SmartFarming #PrecisionAgriculture

“The time is right to address all the changes and challenges climate change presents to us and the opportunity technology that is produced in the UK has to offer.” - Dr Enass Abo-Hamed MBE, co-founder and CEO of H2GO💡 Check out this week’s sustainability stories in the latest edition of Field News of the Week. This week’s stories include: Open Access Government reports on the revolutionary role of zinc in agriculture, revealing how it enhances nitrogen fixation in legumes. The study led by Assistant Professor Jieshun Lin from Aarhus University identifies zinc as a secondary signal critical for optimizing nitrogen fixation, a process essential for plant growth and soil fertility. Fruitnet covers the significant growth in regenerative agriculture globally, with a report from Regenagri highlighting the positive impact certified farms have achieved. The Regenagri programme now supports over 230,000 farms and 855 supply chain operators worldwide, showcasing impressive environmental and economic benefits. Farmers Guide reveals an alarming drop in soil pH, with over 50% of arable soils below the recommended pH 6.7. NRM laboratories' analysis of 50,000 soil samples shows nearly 25% with extremely low pH levels, reflecting infrequent liming practices and a sharp decline in soil pH in 2022/23. UKTN details how nearly 200 climate tech leaders have called on the next government to prioritize climate change. In a joint letter, they urge political leaders to put climate at the heart of their agenda, emphasizing the environmental and economic imperatives of addressing climate change effectively. Have a great weekend! #FieldNewsOfTheWeek #soilhealth #agtech #agdata #technology #regenerativeagriculture

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