Growing Resilient Food Systems

The pioneers that are sowing seeds of change

Can we feed the world without damaging the planet?

For decades, intensive farming practices have taken a heavy toll on the soil, water, and biodiversity necessary for fostering a healthy food system. According to FAO, one third of all food produced globally is wasted.

It’s time to rewrite the recipe.

Around the world, emerging technologies and innovations are helping create a more nature-positive food system. We’re spotlighting companies that are serving up solutions at every step of the value chain, from soil to surplus.

In India, GreenPod Labs are taking on food waste with sachets that keep produce fresh long after harvest. These food-safe packets reduce the need for energy-intensive refrigeration and increase the shelf life of produce by up to 60%.

In Canada, McCain's Farm of the Future are using eDNA to boost soil health. This emerging technology identifies microbes so researchers can determine which farming techniques lead to healthier soils. Harnessing these insights can reduce both emissions and fertiliser use.

In the UK, Winnow are helping to reduce food waste in hospitality, a sector that throws away the equivalent of one billion meals every day. AI image recognition identifies and weighs food, assessing how much is wasted and what it costs. With this technology, Winnow have reduced food waste by 50% in commercial kitchens.

In Belgium, Fyteko are using biotechnology to encourage plant resilience. Their solution sends signals to crops to help them better handle environmental stresses like heat and floods. Fyteko have boosted crop yields by 14% while using fewer chemicals.

In Kenya, Latia Agribusiness Solutions are addressing local energy and food challenges in one. While traditional solar panels often block the sun from reaching the earth, agrivoltaics integrates panels into farms in a way that allows crops to grow alongside them. This simple solution increases land productivity by up to 73%.

In the Andhra Pradesh region of India, Project Giri Pragati are solving the problem of deforestation with agroforestry, the oldest form of farming we know. They are demonstrating that we don't need to clear forests to grow food – they can exist harmoniously.

In the US, HowGood are harnessing the power of AI to make the food industry more nature-friendly. Their data platform measures the impact of different food products on the environment and assigns them a sustainability score. This allows food producers to make better decisions, while setting a new standard across the industry.

These seven pioneers are fixing our food system – not with a silver bullet, but with a menu of solutions specific to the needs and resources across the globe. Though the challenges are great, innovations rooted in science and nature are already helping us feed the future.