Henry Gordon-Smith is a sustainability strategist focused on urban agriculture, water issues, and emerging technologies. Henry earned his BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, coursework in Food Security and Urban Agriculture from Ryerson University in Toronto, and an MSc in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.
This article by Henry Gordon-Smith, explores the transformative potential of agritech in modern agriculture. He shares his journey from blogging about urban agriculture to founding Agritecture Consulting, which has completed over 250 projects in 85 cities worldwide. The piece highlights how agritech innovations, such as vertical farming, greenhouses and agrivoltaics, are essential in addressing global food security and climate change. Gordon-Smith emphasizes the importance of patience and collaboration for agritech leaders, as well as the need to develop technologies that align with farmers' operational needs and drive sustainable, efficient farming practices.
Growing a Business in Agritecture Consulting
As a student in political science at UBC in Vancouver, I began blogging about various sustainability topics. One of the most captivating topics for the public was urban agriculture and the innovative ways to integrate food production into cities. I called this ‘agritecture,’ and over time, my blog attracted consulting requests from individuals seeking assistance with the economics and yields of their farms, as data in this area was scarce. This demand led to the inception of Agritecture Consulting.
“Technology is reshaping traditional agriculture practices in profound ways, although the adoption rate among farmers can be gradual. Those who embrace new technologies early reap substantial benefits in terms of efficiency, yield and cost savings”
Fast-forward to today, Agritecture Consulting has completed over 250 projects in more than 85 cities worldwide. Our work spans collaborations with farmers, growers, investors, entrepreneurs, architects, and municipalities. In my current role as CEO, I continue to guide our mission of pioneering sustainable agriculture solutions globally.
Agritech Innovations for the Future of Food
Agritech plays a crucial role in addressing global food security and climate change by tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each geographical location and market. For example, vertical farming is particularly effective in urban environments where fresh food is scarce, food travels long distances and renewable energy sources are available. In these settings, vertical farms can provide local, fresh produce year-round.
Similarly, greenhouses on rooftops in cities can utilize abundant sunlight to grow fresh produce, reducing the need for transportation and thereby lowering carbon emissions in some cases. In open fields, automation and robots can significantly enhance labor efficiency by handling tasks such as weeding and pest control, which are labor-intensive and crucial for maintaining crop health.
Overall, agritech provides diverse and adaptable solutions that can improve food security and combat climate change across various environments. The key challenge is making it work for farmers' operational needs and bottom lines
Overcoming Environmental Constraints for efficient Farming
A pivotal moment in my journey that significantly influenced my approach to agritech was my trips to the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East and North Africa regions. These areas face extreme challenges, such as limited cultivable land, intense heat and scarce water resources. Witnessing firsthand how agritech can provide solutions in such harsh conditions was eye-opening.
Agritech has demonstrated its potential in these regions by enabling sustainable food production despite environmental constraints. Farmers there are particularly enthusiastic and supportive of technologies that help them grow food under these challenging circumstances. This experience reinforced my belief in the transformative power of agritech to address global food security issues and adapt to diverse and demanding environments.
Agritech's Gene Editing Breakthrough
I envision the next big breakthrough in agritech to be technologies that significantly reduce operational expenses and provide better cultivation methods across various environments. One promising area is gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 methods. Imagine crops that can be fully grown in just five days, or that don’t require sunlight, LED lighting or even crops that can thrive in extreme temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C.
These advancements have the potential to revolutionize agriculture, but they require extensive collaboration among scientists, breeders, companies and numerous other stakeholders. Our company is actively involved in projects aiming to achieve such breakthroughs, although I can't reveal too much at the moment. Stay tuned for exciting developments in the near future.
The Impact of Technology on Modern Agriculture
Technology is reshaping traditional agriculture practices in profound ways, although the adoption rate among farmers can be gradual. Those who embrace new technologies early often reap substantial benefits in terms of efficiency, yield, and cost savings. For instance, a solar-powered automated irrigation pump can save countless hours of labor, reduce operational expenses and prove to be a highly valuable investment for any farm.
One emerging technology I am particularly passionate about is agrivoltaics. This innovative approach integrates renewable energy production with agricultural activities, allowing the same land to be used for both farming and solar energy generation. Agrivoltaics can provide a dual income stream for farmers—one from crop or livestock production and another from solar power. It also offers potential benefits like shading crops in hot climates, reducing water evaporation, and increasing land use efficiency.
Other exciting technologies include precision agriculture tools, such as drones and sensors, which provide real-time data to optimize crop management.
A Roadmap for Agritech Leaders
For senior decision-makers and CXOs in the agritech sector, my foremost advice is to stay patient and persistent—transformative change in agriculture takes time. Continuously explore and invest in emerging technologies, as staying ahead of the curve will enable your organization to capitalize on new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge. While farmers may be slow to adopt new technologies, those who do often see significant benefits. Develop solutions that are user-friendly and demonstrate clear value to encourage wider adoption. Partner with a diverse range of stakeholders, including scientists, breeders and tech companies, as collaboration is crucial for driving innovation and overcoming complex challenges in the agritech.
