Technology & Agriculture: A New Age of Sustainability?

When
March 31, 2021 12:00 pm — 1:30 pm
Where
Webinar Only

An ELI Member Webinar

Industrial agriculture accounts for more than 24% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and animal waste, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs and byproducts are significant sources of water pollution. The agricultural industry, which has placed an increased emphasis on sustainability and efficiency, has largely done so by incorporating new technologies. New and emerging technologies including drones, green sensors, information-based precision agriculture software, and more, could provide the agricultural sector with invaluable real-time data to improve crop-yields and potentially reduce environmental impacts. These technologies may be revolutionary tools to mitigate environmental harms associated with the agricultural industry including improved water conservation, limiting erosion, reducing fertilizer levels in local bodies of water, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, among other potential benefits. However, realizing the environmental benefits of these technologies ultimately lies with how quickly and easily they can be incorporated in the industry.

What are the opportunities for and obstacles to incorporating these technologies to become mainstream in agricultural operations in the United States? What are the best practices for interested stakeholders to incorporate these new technologies into the agriculture industry? What are the advantages of utilizing emerging technologies in the agricultural industry compared to alternative sustainable practices such as organic farming, non-chemical pest control methods, and polyculture farming? Panelists will delve into these questions and explore the potential opportunities and challenges for incorporating emerging technologies to increase the sustainability of agricultural practices. Join ELI and leading panelists as they delve into the emerging green technology for the future of agriculture.

Panelists:
Matthew Nanney, Mobile Technology & UAS Manager, Technology Services, AECOM, Moderator
Manojit Basu, Ph.D., Managing Director, Science Policy, Sustainability, CropLife America
Karen Ellis Carr, Partner, Arent Fox LLP
Ankita Raturi, Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University

Materials:
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