By Andi Anderson
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring attended a West Michigan Food Processors Association meeting to discuss the intersection of technology, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart farming practices.
Industry 4.0 is the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and it refers to the convergence of digital and physical technologies in the manufacturing sector. It includes six emerging technology sectors: connected factory, data analytics, modeling, augmented and virtual reality, additive manufacturing, advanced robotics, and cybersecurity.
Director Boring spoke about the importance of innovation and sustainability in the food and agriculture sector. He said that combining technology with climate-smart farming practices can help the sector to succeed in the future while ensuring continued viability.
The West Michigan Food Processing Association (WMFPA) has been supporting the West Michigan food processing sector and the regional supply chain since 2017. The WMFPA focuses on six strategic pillars: economic development, education, incubator/innovation, supply chain logistics, healthier processed foods, and sustainable practices.
Over the past three years, the WMFPA has intensified its support in the areas of economic development, education, and incubator/innovation. This has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in potential economic development investment in the West Michigan region and the completion of a stage-2 incubator facility to support the sector through Industry 4.0 product innovations and food experiments/STEM training with students throughout the region.
The intersection of technology, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart farming practices has the potential to revolutionize Michigan agriculture. Industry 4.0 technologies can help farmers to produce more food with fewer resources, while regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming practices can help to protect the environment and build resilience to climate change.
The WMFPA is playing a leading role in supporting the adoption of these new technologies and practices. The organization's incubator facility is providing a space for companies to develop and test new products and services, and its educational programs are helping to train the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The future of Michigan agriculture looks bright. By embracing new technologies and practices, farmers and food processors can continue to produce high-quality food while protecting the environment and building a more sustainable future.
Photo Credit: pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture