Engineering: Bridging Gratitude and Innovation

Coming home after school, I shrug my backpack off and head for the kitchen. Prying open the pantry door, I am mesmerized by a variety of snacks, from neatly oriented cereal boxes to plastic containers filled with trail mix. In the refrigerator are forgotten fresh vegetables from the local farmers' market. While these foods are easily accessible at my fingertips, this reality is a dream for many. Recent findings report that "nearly 690 million people are hungry," meaning that these individuals do not have regular access to safe and nutritious food (Goal 2: Zero Hunger - United Nations Sustainable Development). In reaction to this crisis, engineers have used innovative solutions to address the global food crisis from two angles: increasing food production and targeting equal food distribution.

The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that a 60% increase in food production is necessary to sustain the predicted 9.3 billion global 2025 population (Graziano Da Silva). In the past, traditional agricultural methods to maximize food production have devastated natural resources; however, recent engineering techniques have found sustainable strategies to optimize food production. For example, The Yield, an Australian technology company, brings the power of artificial intelligence and sustainable agriculture together. The company's IoT sensor system considers the varying microclimates of farms by dividing the farm into grids and "tak[ing] measurements every 15 minutes in each specific area" (The Yield, 2020). Then, artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the gathered data, including factors such as soil conditions and leaf wetness. The data is sent to an app where farmers can view the farm's conditions and a 7-day forecast. These statistics allow farmers to prepare ahead of time, an essential factor in protecting crops from weather damage. Preparation is particularly important as climate change is driving more extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.

Furthermore, microclimate predictions for specific grid areas can help farmers determine which crops are best suited for those particular areas, enhancing the quality and yield of crops. Also, through its optimization processes, the app addresses leading agricultural problems, such as water waste and the overuse of chemical pesticides. The joint inputs of engineers, data scientists, and agricultural experts have proven effective as the company achieved "90% accurate predictions of microclimate weather" and managed more than "50,000 hectares" (The Yield AgTech Solutions: Farm Sensors & Technology). The impactful work of The Yield demonstrates how the collaboration of professionals accompanied by the advancements of AI can help fight the global food crisis without compromising the environment.

One of the leading causes of acute undernutrition, which many children from Africa and Southern Asia suffer from, is unequal food distribution. In 2015, The World Economic Forum reported that compared to Americans, who spend up to "6.4% of their household income on food", families in developing countries spend "over half of household income on food" (Gray, 2016). To address this disparity, engineers have turned to 3D food printing. First, "food ink" is created by mixing desired ingredients. Then, computer-aided design helps develop the required parts and transmit this data to an stereolithography file, which guides the nozzle printers in depositing the food mixture in specific design templates (Crawford, 2019). The customization features of 3D printing are effective in addressing malnutrition, as they accommodate various dietary needs. For example, in developing countries, 3D food printing could combine the region's most accessible staple crop with specific ingredients to help individuals reach adequate nutrient intake levels (Creswell, 2020). Even in the case of a natural disaster, where resources may be cut off, 3D printing can still feed individuals due to its portability. As a disruptive technological advancement, 3D food printing has proved capable of combating global hunger cost-effectively.

Now, when I sit at my dinner table, I am reminded to have a heart of gratitude for my circumstances. Through new and sustainable innovations, along with the tireless collaboration of engineers and professionals, the day when hunger is defeated becomes a growing possibility.

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