Imaging Solutions : Driving Agri-Food Tech Towards Sustainability
Today ’ s global food production system faces significant challenges that must be addressed to sustain our planet ’ s growing population . It is estimated that food production needs to increase by up to 70 % to meet the rising demand . Sustainable farming practices are also more critical than ever , as agriculture contributes to approximately 24 % of global greenhouse gas emissions and plays a significant role in water usage and habitat loss .
These environmental implications conflict with the European Union ’ s sustainability goals for a climateneutral continent by 2050 . Climate change exacerbates the challenges in the agri-food sector , increasing crops ’ vulnerability to pests , diseases , and extreme weather events . Additionally , around onethird of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted , necessitating innovative approaches to balance increased food production sustainably .
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Photonics at the Heart of the Solution
Photonics and imaging technology are vital in overcoming these challenges by transforming the agrifood tech sector . Photonics-based instruments emit light that interacts with materials according to their composition and structure . The light may be absorbed , reflected , transmitted , or cause fluorescence . Advanced sensors capture these interactions , yielding detailed information about the target ’ s chemical , physical , and biological characteristics .
The primary benefits of photonic solutions include their noncontact , quick , and primarily non-destructive testing nature . This non-invasive approach facilitates real-time monitoring and inspection of agricultural products , enabling the detection of diseases , nutritional content , moisture levels , and other critical parameters without compromising sample integrity .
By leveraging light-matter interactions , photonic technologies support precise , efficient , and sustainable management practices in the agri-food sector , promoting higher yields , reduced waste , and enhanced food safety .
Key Non-Destructive Techniques in Agri-Food Tech
1 . Colorimetry & Visible Imaging :
Colorimetry and visible imaging provide non-destructive means of assessing food quality and characteristics by measuring the intensity of light reflected from an object in the visible spectrum ( 400-700 nm ). Advances in sensor technology have allowed a shift from human evaluation to precise measurements in the CIELAB color space , offering consistent results . RGB sensors that measure colors in a 2-D area have made colorimetry more straightforward and cost-effective . In applications like fruit and vegetable sorting ,