According to the United Nations, the world will need 50 per cent more food by 2050 while climate change will decrease global yields by 25 per cent in the same time frame — meaning agricultural technology must advance to help meet demand. Controlled environment agriculture (such as vertical farming) technology and innovation continue to improve at a rapid pace and could provide solutions to food production. This method uses less water and land than regular agriculture, uses no pesticides or fungicides and recycles CO2 within the facility. It can also be used in places where space is limited, such as cities, and when and where the weather is challenging for farming, such as in northern Canada.
 
What are the opportunities of controlled environment agriculture and how would BC benefit from this approach? Are there any international examples that have been successful? Which are some of the challenges to reach the full potential of technologies such as vertical farming? A CEO of a company in vertical farming will discuss with two academic experts in food security and social justice, as well as an expert in agritech innovation.
 
Genome BC held two policy foresight workshops on this topic, one internal and one at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa. The results of these workshops will be synthesized and shared with the audience.