"Lettuce alone won't feed the world. You can eat 40 lettuces a day, but still miss many essential vitamins. We need to explore more nutritious alternatives," says Paul Gauthier, Professor of Controlled Environmental Agriculture at the University of Queensland, in a panel at the Asian Pacific Innovation summit. "I live In 2050, not now. That is where my research is based. There is so much more potential, but we only focus on mass crops," Paul continues. "Crops like rice, vanilla, chocolate, ginger, and coffee—all the flavors we like are going to disappear from this planet if we continue on our current path. Urbanization brings pests and diseases, which pose a major threat to these crops. We are working on solutions. As academics, it's our responsibility to prepare solutions to secure these crops for the future, ensuring they're ready when the industry is ready to adopt them."
"While there's immense potential in the farm's crops, they are currently mostly used for mass production. We need to rethink how we want to grow and use them for a more sustainable future," he says.
"In 5 to 10 years, the food production will change rapidly," according to Sky Kurtz, Founder & CEO of Pure Harvest. "Cities are beginning to incorporate agricultural systems into their development, enhancing sustainability and resilience. Our collaboration with NEOM in Saudi Arabia demonstrates the benefits of reusing treated wastewater. The water consumption nowadays is 2/3 for cooling and 1/3 for irrigation, highlighting the efficiency of integrated systems. Integrated approaches are increasingly crucial for addressing global food and water challenges."
Addressing malnutrition and diabetes
Eleanor Choong, Founder & COO, Sunway XFarms also notices the changes: "Malaysia is known for its palm oil industry and food grown outside this country. During transport, much of the nutrient value is lost. Workshops are helping raise awareness about the benefits of sourcing from local farms. In Malaysia, addressing malnutrition and diabetes is critical, as many people consume less than half of the WHO-recommended vitamins. Encouraging greater vegetable intake in urban areas is a priority. We organize workshops, helping raise awareness about the benefits of sourcing from local farms. This effort aims to educate communities about modern agriculture and inspire them to embrace farming beyond palm oil. By creating excitement around diverse agricultural practices, we can bring food production closer to urban centers and foster sustainable growth. Education is also vital; showing them that farming is accessible and can even be fun helps build a connection with fresh, local produce. By making farming and nutritious food more attractive, we can encourage healthier eating habits."
Paul Gauthier agrees education is a powerful influence on behavior. He explains, "We automatically choose the green parts of vegetables and throw away the yellow ones. This has become a habit ingrained in us. You start with educating kids, as future consumers can drive positive change, so there we have to start."
"You cannot change behavior"
"You cannot change behavior," Sky argues. "People know what's healthy, but often don't act. Sugar addiction is a major barrier. Government seminars or manufacturing guidelines have shown no impact. It is the brands who hold the key to driving change. The path to change lies in creating emotional connections—reaching the stomach through the heart." He demonstrated this with examples of a cereal brand that made inroads in China and an iced tea company in the U.S. that resonated deeply, building a $100 million market. He is convinced that brands, when authentic and impactful, can lead the charge in raising awareness and reshaping behaviors.
Food security
Trying to change food security at a local level is not enough, Paul adds at the end. "We need to change how we view security. Food security needs to become a national security. That shift will make a huge difference for this industry."
For more information:
Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit
www.agrifoodinnovation.com