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Potential Role of Technology Innovation in Transformation of Sustainable Food Systems: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Nawab Khan

    (College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu Campus, Chengdu 611100, China)

  • Ram L. Ray

    (College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA)

  • Hazem S. Kassem

    (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sajjad Hussain

    (College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu Campus, Chengdu 611100, China)

  • Shemei Zhang

    (College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu Campus, Chengdu 611100, China)

  • Muhammad Khayyam

    (School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Muhammad Ihtisham

    (College of Horticulture and Forestry, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
    College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (School of Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa)

Abstract

Advanced technologies and innovation are essential for promoting sustainable food systems (SFSs) because these technologies can be used to answer some of the critical questions needed to transform SFSs and help us better understand global food security and nutrition. The main objective of this study is to address the question of whether technological innovations have an impact on the transformation of SFSs. There are certain innovations including agricultural land utilization, food processing, production systems, improvement in diets according to people’s needs, and management of waste products. This study provides an overview of new technologies and innovations being used with potential to transform SFSs. Applications of emerging technologies in digital agriculture, including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and machine learning, drones, use of new physical systems (e.g., advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles, advanced materials), and gene technology (e.g., biofortified crops, genome-wide selection, genome editing), are discussed in this study. Additionally, we suggest eight action initiatives, which are transforming mindsets, enabling social licensing, changing policies and regulations, designing market incentives, safeguarding against undesirable effects, ensuring stable finance, building trust, and developing transition pathways that can hasten the transition to more SFSs. We conclude that appropriate incentives, regulations, and social permits play a critical role in enhancing the adoption of modern technologies to promote SFSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Nawab Khan & Ram L. Ray & Hazem S. Kassem & Sajjad Hussain & Shemei Zhang & Muhammad Khayyam & Muhammad Ihtisham & Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "Potential Role of Technology Innovation in Transformation of Sustainable Food Systems: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:10:p:984-:d:652550
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    References listed on IDEAS

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