Feeding the Future: Technology & Food Security

  What is Renewable Energy? Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind.    Renewable Energy Integration Renewable energy integration has the potential to significantly improve food security in Jamaica. By harnessing the power of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, Jamaica can reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels and invest in sustainable agricultural practices. This, in turn, can lead to increased food production, improved food access, and enhanced economic opportunities for local farmers. Jamaica & Renewable Energy Jamaica has significant potential for renewable energy development. The country is blessed with abundant sunlight, making it an ideal location for solar power generation. It also has strong wind resources, particularly in coastal areas, and significant hydroelectric power potential. The government of Jamaica has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to gen

  What are Hydroponics and Aquaponics? Aquaponics and hydroponics are both soilless, a substrate that is part of an artificial system of cultivation in which plants are grown without soil. Aquaponics involves the use of fish waste as nutrients for the plants. Hydroponics uses nutrient solutions mixed directly with water to grow the plants (Aquaponics,2023). Aquaponics and Hydroponics offer several advantages in agriculture, which will improve food security in Jamaica. Some key benefits include: Hydroponics Needs No Soil : Hydroponics needs no soil. Land degradation is a problem facing agriculture in Jamaica. As soil degrades, it becomes more difficult to farm in it. Land degradation happens due to climate change, natural erosion and pollution, which is a problem in Jamaica. Land degradation results in soil with fewer nutrients and becomes less suited to grow healthy crops. Hydroponic crops don’t contribute to soil degradation, so they can help slow land degradation. They don’t rely o

  What is Smart Farming? Smart farming, also known as precision agriculture, is a modern farming concept that uses technology to increase the quantity and quality of agricultural products while optimizing the use of resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides. It involves the integration of various technologies such as sensors, GPS, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to monitor and manage different aspects of farming operations. Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Farming for Food Security in Jamaica The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology with smart farming practices has the potential to significantly enhance food security in Jamaica. By leveraging IoT devices, sensors, and data analytics, farmers can monitor and manage their agricultural operations more efficiently, leading to increased productivity, reduced waste, and improved crop yields. Benefits of IoT in Agriculture: Figure 1 above shows some of the benefits of IoT in agriculture

  What is Food Security? 🍅🍉🍇🍊🍋🍌🍍 Based on the 1996 World Food Summit, food security is when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Food Security in Jamaica Food security is a major challenge in Jamaica. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 14.5% of the population is undernourished, and 18.5% of children under the age of five are stunted. The country is also highly dependent on food imports, with an estimated 80% of food being imported. This makes our country vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.   According to the Jamaica Gleaner (2022), Four in every 10 Jamaicans have reduced their food consumption, and some 98 percent of Jamaicans who participated in the survey said there has been an increase in food prices. As a result, nine in every 10 Jamaicans surveyed have changed their shoppin