Engineering advances for input reduction and systems management to meet the challenges of global food and farming futures

Abstract

SUMMARYImprovements in farming systems and food supply will come from: increased production efficiencies per unit land area or per unit input of key components such as water or fertilizer; from less negative impact on local and global environments, allowing sustainable biodiversity goals to be integrated with production performance; and from enhanced approaches to bringing global supply and demand in balance, allowing internationally agreed goals for biosphere stability to be shaped, managed and delivered. Each stage will deliver significant improvements to current farming approaches. Modern engineering methods and technology advances have enhanced productivity in all major industries, and farming is yet to make much progress by developing and adopting these technologies. Sensors, control and integrated management systems will be major features, delivering enhanced farming productivity per unit input and per person employed, complemented by decreased environmental impacts and lower losses in the food chain. New insights into modelling and interpreting systems' performance will provide key contributions to optimization and control under complex challenges.