The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) today released The Future of Food Production, a whitepaper detailing the drivers impacting how food is produced in North America. Guided by the AEM Futures Council and a Vision Team, comprised of AEM member company thought leaders, The Future of Food Production explores 13 trends that are changing agriculture today, impacting farmers, and reshaping how food will be produced in the coming decade.
“We brought our agriculture-based members together to take a hard look at the future and identify the trends that are changing the industry and the demands being made on today’s farmers,” said AEM President Megan Tanel. “AEM is committed to taking an active role in examining and shaping the future of agriculture so we can offer equipment solutions and insights to help farmers succeed.”
From producing more with less environmental impact to advanced food traceability to help maintain consumer trust to artificial intelligence enabling insights-driven farming, the 13 trends outlined in the whitepaper define a new way of doing business that will help growers produce more with less.
The 13 trends outlined in The Future of Food Production include:
- Produce more with less environmental impact
- Optimization of water use
- Increase global demand for protein
- Shorter food supply chain
- Geographic shifts in production
- Advanced food traceability helps maintain consumer trust
- Farmers adjust in response to emission regulation
- Efforts to decarbonize create adjacent economies
- Connectivity gap narrows
- Artificial intelligence enables insights-driven farming
- Resources pour into cybersecurity
- Farm ownership models change
- New business models emerge
“Farmers are working hard to do the right things, not just for the next season, but for the next generation,” said Robert Crain, AEM Chair and Sr. Vice President, Customer Experience at AGCO Corporation. “This whitepaper outlines how the agriculture industry could be reshaped over the next decade and shares a vision for opportunities to overcome challenges.”
America’s farmers have always met the challenges of their time. However, a global population projected to increase 2.2 billion by 2050, requiring a 70% increase in food production, without additional land or natural resources to do so, raises the bar to even greater heights.
“Equipment technology is pivotal to many of these trends coming to fruition,” said Ray O’Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. “With predicted global population growth, shifting natural resources and increasing supply chain challenges, the evolution and adoption of technology will be key to meeting the production demands.”
Meeting tomorrow’s challenges will require a new way of thinking and in some instances, a new way of doing business. AEM members are here to work with growers to help them meet the demand to feed an increasing population, the whitepaper can be viewed and downloaded from AEM’s Future of Food Production page.
Consumers who have a growing desire to know more about where their food comes from are also invited to view and download the whitepaper to help them foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the elements involved in not only the food supply chain, but also the vital role of farmers.
“Thought leaders with a desire to shape the world of tomorrow are vitally important to the ability of our members to feed our world,” said Tanel. “Thanks to the efforts of our member company thought leaders, we have built consensus on where the future of ag is, as well as outlined the role of the equipment manufacturing industry in impacting that future.”
“Food production and the complexion of farmland ownership in America is changing,” said Tanel. “But the one constant is the American farmer who has the ingenuity and tenacity needed to ensure a reliable food supply at home and abroad.”
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