PowerPoint Presentation

MTIS

Technology and Food Security – New Opportunities...New Jobs

Dr. Arthur W. Martin

Economic latitude for the region – Access to capital and technology infrastructure build out to grow the agricultural sector while ensuring food security and safety

Food Security in the Caribbean is not about quantity but the access to quality food at an affordable cost

Ensuring people have healthy, nutritious food that is free from contamination and degradation

Ensuring all people across the region have access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs

Security

Safety

Opportunity &

The belief structure is having singular focused monopolistic GDP. That needs to change….the effect of COVID-19 is a warning sign for more innovation, resiliency and

Economic Growth

Sovereignty Empowering people to make their own choices about the food they eat, where it comes from and how it is produced

diversification In food supply

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Executive Summary

 Technology and Food Safety through “smart” advanced agricultural practices will transform the region

 Historical perspectives and culture - The vestiges of colonialism remains a distraction for embracing

agricultural needs….a new technological platform will lift those burdens and create changed attitudes. We

should begin grow your own campaigns.

 Innovative Government Policy… governments of the OEC and the region should invest in agriculture for more secure food and engender a new economy

 Infrastructure & Climate Change …investment in clean sustainable energy, water, biodiversity and

infrastructure

 Health & Wellness obesity and other chronic illnesses are problem to the health of Caribbean workers and a

stress on the economy

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Executive Summary Cont’d

 Technology and Food Safety through “smart” advanced agricultural practices will transform the region

 Education It will require workforce development and educational opportunities and shifting priorities in education to enhance STEM Education

 Agro-tourism it will boost revenue from the hospitality industry (hotels and cruise ship) A ship that carries

3,500 passengers consume 170,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables per cruise ship (CNN Travel)

 Expansion of Banking - Investment banking, commercial banking and personal banking opportunities will expand

 Managing Human Capital – After years of colonialism the regions have not figured out innovative ways of

how to manage their own human capital to become efficient and self –sufficient

 Economic Development ……New job creation, diversification of the economy and additive

GDP

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Facing the Reality of Food Security in the Region (A diagnostic Approach)

Food insecurity, the region can use emerging technologies to address the problem as well while creating a new economy

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Facing The Reality of Food Security in The Region (A Diagnostic Approach)

The OECS and other Caribbean region will continue to be major food importers unless they are able to 1) Embrace farming, change the culture of their young population and not be distracted by the scars of agricultural economic slavery

2) Education in nutrition and healthy lifestyles at all educational and institutional levels

3) Use the latest technology platform to advance agriculture

At the 31st CARICOM Inter-Sessional meeting, which concluded on February 20, 2020 in Barbados CARICOM Chairman and Barbados Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Mottley, said “We believe that the people of the region, in the

course of the next few years, can see a Caribbean that is committed to feeding themselves.”

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Facing The Reality of Food Security in The Region (A Diagnostic Approach)

Cultivating a Culture of Agriculture: Are Caribbean youth up to the challenge ? November 2, 2014 by Rachel Boyce

By the time we reach first grade in the Caribbean, teachers are asking what we want to be when we grow up. We frequently raise our hands and shout “doctor, lawyer or engineer,” but how many considered the agriculture sector? This might be a good time to think about it. As CARICOM nations look for ways to curb their $4.75 billion (U.S.) in yearly food imports, regional fishing and agriculture initiatives are on the rise. “Farming is not about a cutlass, holding a hoe with dripping sweat and brown dirty uniform. There is a significant change with the advent of emerging technology to create highly skilled jobs and better aesthetics for the Caribbean youth” by Dr. Arthur Martin

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Facing The Reality of Food Security in The Region (A Diagnostic Approach)

Sensationalized and dramatic incidence of food shortages and hunger seen especially in parts of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa is absent from the Caribbean

• The consequence is underestimation of the problem of food insecurity in the region and a complacent attitude.

• Serious doubt to the extent to which there is accurate knowledge and full understanding of food security in the region.

• Food security in the Caribbean is at best precarious. These realities include impact of

 Climate change and the ubiquitous natural hazards  The decline in local food production in the region  The growing dependence on imported food  The estrangement of Caribbean populations from their traditional foods and diets and adoption of North- American style food

• Food security in the Caribbean requires the revitalization of sustainable local food production systems

• The region must re-purpose and enact a serious plan to make agricultural technological development a priorit y

The Caribbean except for Haiti does not have a shortage of food but access to quality

and affordable food

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Data Don’t Lie!!

A statistical Bird Eye View

Of Food insecurity

Technology in Agriculture can be a Game

Changer

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The Correlation between Food Security and Health Care

• The U.S. exported over US$2 billion in U.S. consumer-oriented foods to the Caribbean in 2018

• The region also imported over US$1.4 billion in processed food products in 2018,

• Top U.S. processed food products exported to the Caribbean included:  Food preparations  Fats and oils

 Non-alcoholic sugary beverages  Processed/prepared dairy products

 Snack foods  Beer & wine  Condiments & sauces  Pasta and processed cereals

https://www.healthycaribbean.org/world-obesity-day-2020/

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The Correlation between Food Security and Health Care

If we don’t act now to produce safe and secure food in the region, we could face a health crisis….an unhealthy work force has proven to be less productive

 Grow your own using advance technology

 Get Healthier

 Create new Jobs

•

Obesity a major drag on the

• health care system - increases the risk of non- communicable diseases , including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and certain cancers, needing more extensive and costly interventions. • New technology in Agriculture can resolve food security issues as well as economic provide economic growth

https://www.healthycaribbean.org/world-obesity-day-2020/

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Statistics of Agricultural Output in the OECS

Source: https://agricarib.org/products/vegetables

Antigua & Barbuda

Dominica

Grenada

St. Lucia

St. Kitts and Nevis

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Cabbages

799

Cabbages

68

Cabbages

131

Cabbages

203

Cabbages

203

Tomatoes

220

Tomatoes

477

Lettuce & Chicory

113

Tomatoes

397

Cucumbers

107

Lettuce & Chicory

113

Cucumbers

341

Tomatoes

320

Peppers & greens

61

Cucumbers

385

Cauliflowers & Broccoli

19

Eggplants

395

Tomatoes

320

Carrots & turnips

156

Peppers & greens

86

Eggplants

897

Vegetables & microgreens

107

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

367

Cauliflowers & Broccoli

19

Carrots & turnips

303

Peppers & greens

1409

Sub total

919

Vegetables & microgreens

160

Cucumbers and gherkins

148

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

367

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Carrots & turnips

800

Sub total

1,987

Carrots and turnips

76

Items

Tons

Cucumbers and gherkins

148

Vegetables & microgreens

2300

Vegetables & microgreens

2473

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

263

Carrots and turnips

76

Sub total

3719

Sub total

6,888

Chilies and peppers, green

613

Vegetables & microgreens

2473

Carrots and turnips

569

Sub total

3719

Vegetables & microgreens

4172

Sub total

5617

• Several countries in the OECS will suffer from food insecurity and will have to act now • There is a heavy reliance on import of fresh vegetables and greens or heavy import of process food

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Statistics of Agricultural Output from Larger CARICOM Countries

https://agricarib.org/products/vegetables

Barbados

Bahamas

Haiti

Jamaica

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Items

Tons

Cabbages

294

Cabbages

1342

Cabbages

34,584

Cabbages

13,000

Lettuce & Chicory

493

Lettuce & Chicory

111

Lettuce & Chicory

11, 368

Lettuce & Chicory

550

Tomatoes

945

Tomatoes

6151

Cauliflowers and broccoli

2,212

Spinach

1200

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

154

Tomatoes

2600

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

2087

Spinach

15,840

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

600

Cucumbers and gherkins

1188

Tomatoes

29,178

Onions, shallots, green

604

Pumpkins, squash and gourds

52,972

Eggplants and gourds

850

Chilies and peppers, greens

423

Okra

461

Garlics

600

Cucumbers and gherkins

17, 423

Carrots and turnips

90

Vegetables and microgreens

17719

Vegetables and microgreens

123,000

Okra

331

Chilies and peppers, greens

15,204

Sub total

28475

Vegetables and microgreens

4851

Sub total

144,400

Eggplants

481

Sub total

8769

Onions, shallots, green

16,296

Vegetables and microgreens

4851

Sub total

137,034

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Statistics of Total Agricultural Production and Production per Capita in the Caribbean

Tons of Vegetables Produced Annually

Production per Capita (lbs)

Other Countries

160000

Haiti

25.26

OECS Countries

Jamaica

140000

92.55

Bahamas

144.82

120000

Barbados

61.03

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

101.26

100000

St. Lucia

43.33

80000

Grenada

66.10

Dominica

191.37

60000

Antigua & Barbuda Caribbean Countries

40.58

OECS Countries

40000

St. Kitts-Nevis

34.79

20000

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00

Pounds of Vegetables annually Per Capita

0

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

St. Kitts- Nevis

Antigua & Barbuda

Total Ton of Vegetables Produced Annually

Dominica Grenada St. Lucia

Barbados Bahamas Jamaica

Haiti

Series1 919

1987

6888

3719

3978

5617

8769

28475 137034 144000

Countries in The Caribbean

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Statistics of Total Agricultural Production and Production per Capita in the in the Caribbean

Shares of agricultural value added in GDP (2016)

GDP per capita and share of agriculture in GDP (2016)

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Statistics of Agricultural of Export vs. Import in the OECS and Larger Caribbean

Dependence on the United States of America (all agricultural products based on 2016 data)

Plot of Export vs Import for OECS Contries and Other Large Caribbean Islands

Large Island Caribbean States

Small Island Caribbean States

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Share of Total Agriculture (Imports/Exports [%])

Share Exports

Share Imports

http://www.fao.org/3/ca4726en/ca4726en.pdf?eloutlink=imf2fao Food and Agriculture Organizations of The United States Study on the State of Agriculture in the Caribbean

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The Future of Agriculture

Smart Farming:

Digital, Autonomous, Mechanized and Vertical

The smart agriculture market is estimated to grow from USD 13.8 billion in 2020 to USD 22.0 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.8%

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The Future of Agriculture- “Smart Farming”

• Business Case

Smart Farming: The Future of Agriculture An emerging concept that refers to managing farms using technologies like IoT, robotics, drones and AI to increase the quantity and quality of products while optimizing the human labor required by production.

 Why invest in vegetable production?

 The region continues to be self-sufficient in gourds and ground provisions but lacking in greens

Algae Feedstocks

Hydroponics

Arid Land Agriculture

Produce efficiently Using new techniques

 Growing demand for organic vegetables which can create premium prices and a niche for the Caribbean trade if standards and protocols are generated and agreed upon

Seawater Farming

Food Processing & Packaging

Bioplastics

Genetic Modification

Use New Technologies to bring food production to consumers increasing efficiencies

 Potential to introduce modern farming techniques to increase yields and quality

Vertical/Urban Farming

Cultural Meats

3D Printing

 The increased use of technology and innovation can result in higher yields for the small and medium size farmers

Drone Technology Internet of all Things

Nanotechnology Food-sharing and Crowd farming Artificial Intelligence

Cross inter-region and global collaboration – Industry Technologies and Application

Autonomous Vehicle

Data Analytics

 Vertical Farms and Green house technology can cater to shortfalls in seasonal supply

Precision Agriculture

Available Today

Readiness to “Grow” Market

Timeline

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Vertical Farming Global Market

• The market is real • The Technology is proven • The cost is not prohibitive

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Smart Farming To Create highly skilled Jobs

Expertise

Job Function

Outcome

Job Creation

• Automation in facilities • (vertical farm, storage etc. • Data acquisition an analysis

Resource water management, soil and weather monitoring, traceability and food safety, market analysis, logistics and quality management Cutting edge equipment can deliver greater productivity and autonomy Food safety technologies can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

Desk Top Support, Soft Ware Engineering, Hardware Engineering

Information Technologies

• Mobile Applications • Intelligent sensors

• Automation • Flexible devices • Robotics for homogenous task • Monitoring of pathogens • Risk Management • Testing & safety qualification • Quality improvement • Functional ingredients • Operations • Efficient resource and energy • management

Equipment Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Software Engineer Food Scientist, Agronomist, Horticulturist, Microbiologist, Plant Biologist, Gene Biologist Chemical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Technicians, Operators, Maintenance Engineer, Food Scientist Packaging Engineer, Food Scientist, Graphic Design, Marketing, Chemical Engineer

Equipment

Food Safety

Process improvement for quality and performance

Processing

• Use of active materials for packaging • Sensors and indicators • Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

Packaging for improving shelf life, appearance and enhance food safety

Packaging

• One 10,000 Square feet indoor vertical farm will produce 30-50 New jobs

• Another 40 auxiliary jobs in consulting, marketing, banking and tourism

• Need workforce development and training and prioritization of funding for education at all levels

The Value Proposition for Smart Farming

• One of the highest-yielding farms grows over 350 times more food per square yard than a conventional farm.

• A single two-square meter unit can grow 8,000 plants in a year

• 95% less water than soil-based farms , take up 99.5% less space

• Use zero chemical pesticides

• Need 90% less transportation and use 75% less fertilizer

• All year-round growth, not affected by weather

• Reduce carbon footprint (sustainable agriculture)

• Can plan for future food demands (higher yield) & High Level of food security

Data Available from Agrilyst

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Learn from Friendly Countries such as South Korea who has proven Job Growth From “Smart Farming”

South Korea

A total of 4 smart farms in South Korea with estimated 4,300 jobs over the next few years (by 2022) in the burgeoning smart farming industry.

https://www.futurefarming.com/Smart-farmers/Articles/2018/5/ South-Korea-creates-4300-jobs-in-smart-farm-industry- 283765E/

Aruba

The Government of Aruba has approved a vertical farming project using Canadian company Affinor Growers’ vertical farming technology.

•

LED lamps to illuminate the farm.

• Air conditioning system to circulate and cool the air.

•

Osmotic system to purify water.

•

Fertigation unit, nutrient-rich solution for plants.

•

Pumps to deliver fertilizers to plants.

• Total Energy per m2 of growing area = 65.26

kWh/month

We can duplicate this in OECS Countries – One 10,000 smart farm on 2-3 acres of land can produce 50-100

jobs

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Advance Food Processing

from Local Crops

Or imported raw material

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Advance Food Science & Processing and Job Growth

Nanoscale Reaction Engineers

Nanoscale Reaction Engineers

Job Growth Prospects • Technicians and Engineers • Food Scientist

Nanobiotechnology

Molecular Synthesis

Time and temperature Indicators

Processing

Nanoparticles

Integrity Indicators

• Chemist • Biologist • Software Engineer • Marketing • Sales • Graphic Arts

Nano-emulsions

Food Science & Technology

Freshness Indicators

Nanocomposites

Smart

Packaging

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Active

Packaging

(nutrients)

Free flowing nano- structured materials

Packaging Functions

Sensors and nano-sensors

Production

Research

Marketing

Sales

Scientist & Engineers

Marketing Communication

Engineers, Technicians, operators

Sales

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New Food Processing Technology in agriculture…new opportunities

Utilizing new modern processing technology to ensure food safety & security and create new adjacency markets from raw material food supply

Heat Drying

Freeze Drying

Extraction

Automated Juicing

Powder Milling

Invigorating the manufacturing sector

o Shelf-life, Appearance, Convenience and speed from advanced food processing

Food Processing Technology in Agriculture…New Opportunities

Utilizing new modern processing technology to ensure food safety & security

Shelf-life, Appearance, Convenience and speed from advanced food processing

Environment friendly

Biodegradable

Transparency

Antimicrobial activity

Mechanical Strength

Aroma barrier

Vapor Barrier

Chemical resistance

Food Packaging Materials

Gas Barrier

Heat & UV Resistant

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5G to Bring Highly Skilled Jobs

and Productivity to Agriculture

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The Opportunity is There to Use 5G and IOT to Create New Jobs

Modern technologies which enables the digital transformation of agriculture include: • Integration of automation technology, drones, spectral imagery, and sensors to increase crop yield reduce

• Monitoring a range of parameters for enhanced farm management maximized productivity.

• Agricultural robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will increase efficiency, reduced labor and operational expenditures.

• Increased use of livestock biometrics ensures maintenance of livestock health and will have a direct impact on the increase in yield of dairy products.

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The Opportunity is There to Use 5G and IOT to Create New Jobs

Opportunities to renew business models in value chains by connecting producers and consumers in innovative ways.

Digital communication o Revolutionize agriculture by helping farmers work more precisely, efficiently and sustainably. o Data-driven insights can improve decision-making and practices and help increase environmental performance while making the job more attractive to younger generations. o Potential to offer consumers greater transparency as to how their food is produced (safety).

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The Opportunity is There to Use 5G and IOT to Create New Jobs

• Utilizing 5G , farmers can monitor field conditions and be notified when crops need watering, pesticides, or fertilizer.

• 5G can be used to track livestock, piloting agricultural drones and directing self-driving tractors.

Real Time Monitoring

Virtual & Augmented Reality

5G Technology And the Agricultural Sector

Drone Technology

AI Powered Robots

Virtual Consultation & Predictive Maintenance

Data Analytics & Cloud Repository

SMART AGRICULLTURE MONITORING SOLUTIONS TO OPTIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY

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Precision Livestock

Poultry is going Digital

• Sensor designed to measure ammonia and carbon dioxide , a common problem in many hen houses • Unique lighting system using sensors and LED bulbs to create a consistent lighting environment that stimulates better growth efficiencies in birds and also reduces costs. • Blockchain in production safety ensuring traceability of the poultry

• Only 10% of eggs purchased by hotels are sourced locally and zero regionally.

• The two largest expenditures by hotels in the fresh food agricultural sector are fresh fish at $9.4 per day per room and fresh meat at $8.0 per day per room.

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Final Thoughts and Perspectives

• The challenge is to make the agricultural sector and its up and downstream activities competitive through innovation and investment by “smart farming” technologies • Acceptance of highly processed imported food in favor of organic locally grown food has created a health crisis in the region • The perception of farming as a low skilled labor coupled with the psychological scars of economic slavery and the vestiges of colonialism makes traditional agriculture unattractive to this generation

Robot

Robot

Vertical farm

Digital

Vertical farm

• The COVID-19 crisis has further intensified other challenges agriculture faces in five areas: efficiency, resilience, digitization, agility, and sustainability. • The crisis has accentuated the necessity to rapidly adopt smart agriculture • Re-purposing current GDP and allocating financial resources to smart agriculture must be a priority for governments in the region

Drones

Solar Energy

One of the oldest industries must embrace new technological platforms to provide a more secure and safe food supply and usher in new economic opportunity.

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