Global Scans · Food & Agriculture · Weekly Summary

• [New] Key Insight: In the coming years, the greatest leaps in sustainable nut production will be achieved through the synergistic deployment of AI, aeroponics, and satellite technology across all farming scales. Farmonaut
• [New] Aeroponics water usage compared to traditional farming is so efficient that it's earning strong consideration for seedling production, high-value nut crops, and even urban vertical farms in water-stressed cities in 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] As the global population continues to climb and climate variability presents unprecedented challenges, the advantages of the AI-powered farming system will become central to ensuring food security, protecting the environment, and driving efficiency within every sector reliant on water resources. Farmonaut
• [New] In 2026, smart AI-powered systems are designed to be scalable and modular, making them perfect for urban gardens, home greenhouses, and rooftop agriculture. Farmonaut
• [New] As urban populations explode and urban agriculture becomes essential for food security, AI services for smart home watering systems are set to play a leading role in household sustainability by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] The Food and Drug Administration says it's going to go after the manufacturers of chest binders, alleging they are illegally marketing them to children as a treatment for gender dysphoria. Reason.com
• [New] Digital Agriculture Mission: India's flagship government initiative is integrating drones, IoT, and big data into mainstream farming at scale by 2025-2030. Farmonaut
• [New] Humanity faces the dual challenge of ensuring food security for a projected population of 10 billion by 2050, requiring a 70% increase in food production, while addressing the needs of over 735 million people currently experiencing hunger. PortfoPal
• [New] Remote data monitoring and precision resource management systems will be critical for future-proofing global food and resource supply chains. Farmonaut
• [New] In 2026, agentic AI will become a cornerstone of industrial innovation, transforming operations in both Life Sciences and Food & Beverage manufacturing. The Manufacturer
• [New] Building a skilled workforce and developing talent that will advance Ontario's agri-food sector and support veterinary medicine and rural communities. Ontario.ca
• [New] The fresh food sector will reach a valuation of US$ 300 billion in 2025 and is expected to double by 2033, supported by a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. Mexico Business
• [New] A ban on demersal trawling in the Pilbara will impact regional jobs, local food supply and long-standing investment in Australia's fishing industry. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Consumers in Asia are increasingly favouring snack consumption over meals in the past year, which spells opportunities for food companies to innovate and diversify. FoodNavigator-Asia.com
• [New] Once the repowering project is complete, the Boldecker Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to power up to 43,000 German households. Energies Media
• Russia may aim to use the threat of strikes to discourage international vessels from transporting Ukrainian grain due to high insurance costs and ultimately to accuse Ukraine of causing global food insecurity. Critical Threats
• The United Nations' World Food Programme warned it will be forced to slash food rations by up to 70% for communities facing starvation starting in January due to critical funding shortages. Al Jazeera
• While agriculture needs to meet short-term labour shortages, economic continuity requires a long-term horizon that promotes Canadian agriculture sector competitiveness through skilled labour opportunities in professions spanning biotechnology, food science, engineering, and data analytics. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
• $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses that will enhance their competitiveness and growth. Ontario.ca
• Under Sustainable CAP, the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative supports the resiliency of the agri-food sector by providing funding opportunities to key agri-food sector businesses that are addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness. Ontario.ca
• In 2026, upstream fragility becomes a downstream strategic problem, impacting dairy, meat, produce and specialty ingredient supply chains. Just Food

Last updated: 23 December 2025