Amy Wu

Opinion | How farm tech can cultivate a new generation of innovators in Hong Kong to spark economic growth

The bottom line is that there is an opportunity for a new generation in their 20s and 30s to produce food locally by tapping into the agtech sector

It will take the combined efforts of the government, private business, growers and educational institutions to make that happen

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Shoppers buying locally grown vegetables at Mapopo Community Farm in Ma Shi Po village in Fanling on February 9, 2020. Photo: Dickson Lee

Amy Wu

Published: 9:45am, 20 Jun 2021Updated: 9:45am, 20 Jun 2021

Hong Kong has a lot going for it when it comes to farming and farm tech. The landscape of modern skyscrapers and a fast-paced urban metropolis belie the reality that its geography, weather, infrastructure and a consumer base that loves to eat are all advantageous when it comes to tapping into the fast-growing agtech sector.

Agtech, the marriage of agriculture and technology, includes any innovation that helps farmers grow smarter. It offers a bevy of solutions to the consequences of climate change, whether it be severe labour shortages and water and land management issues, or soil depletion and pest management.

It also includes seeds, indoor farming, hydroponics and aquaponics. The innovation that comes with it often involves drones, sensors, robotics, blockchain, artificial intelligence, mobile apps and data analytics.

Internationally, the sector is growing rapidly in terms of investment and adoption. Farmers are facing increased pressure to feed a global population that is forecast to reach 10 billion by 2050. In the Asia-Pacific region, the sector is already taking off in the form of industry conferences, investment and accelerator programmes in markets in Singapore and Australia.

All these components offer a tremendous opportunity to develop a new knowledge-based workforce in Hong Kong. The time is ripe for educators and policymakers to cultivate a new generation with the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to either launch their own business or work for companies that are part of the food system. Agtech can potentially be a spark in further fuelling the local and regional economy.

While farming is rarely, if ever, considered sexy – finance, trade and tourism have historically been the flagship sectors in Hong Kong – everyone eats. Many of us, myself included, love to eat. Hong Kong is a prime location for food and top-tier restaurants in the Asia-Pacific. During my time living and working in the city, almost every family or social gathering and business meeting involved food, with the emphasis on quality and freshness.

Opinion | How farm tech can cultivate a new generation of innovators in Hong Kong to spark economic growth

The bottom line is that there is an opportunity for a new generation in their 20s and 30s to produce food locally by tapping into the agtech sector It will take the combined efforts of the government, private business, growers and educational institutions to make that happen

The bottom line is that there is an opportunity for a new generation in their 20s and 30s to produce food locally by tapping into the agtech sector

It will take the combined efforts of the government, private business, growers and educational institutions to make that happen