Advancements in Smart Agriculture Revolutionizing Crop Production

A university in the UK is gaining attention from the commercial food sector for its innovative agricultural techniques, which involve growing crops without soil in controlled environments. These methods, already successful in boosting rice production in China, are being considered for implementation in distribution centers. Prof Chungui Lu, who leads the research, highlights the benefits of soil-less crops, such as being pest-free, clean, fresh, and resilient to weather extremes. The university’s new course in smart agriculture aims to equip students with the skills needed to manage vertical farms, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and short supply chains. As climate change impacts traditional farming, experts in these advanced methods are expected to be in high demand. Prof Lu believes this approach represents the future of agriculture.