Under the pressure of climate and social changes, agriculture is called to play a fundamental role in the world food challenge of the next few decades. A severe reduction of arable land and water scarcity combined with a growing food demand, changes in the dietary preferences in many countries and, more recently, a growing threat to food security and logistics from supply chains interruptions and global trade fragmentation, all require the implementation of processes, techniques, and innovations able to increase productivity and make a better use of scarce resources.Against this backdrop, a growing number of investors and asset managers have started looking at agriculture as an interesting investment theme to exploit the long-term strategic opportunities emerging from technological innovation and social changes. The industry is undergoing a process of transformation driven, on the one hand, by the emergence of new data and technologies that promise enhancing process efficiency and improve yields and, on the other hand, by an increased attention on the GHG emissions of agricultural processes and the impact of farmland on climate change, water and land scarcity. All these factors call for a radical rethinking of many agriculture business models.
This book provides a detailed overview and analysis of those new technologies with the greatest potential to disrupt agriculture products and processes by improving productivity and the management of food loss and waste, making a more efficient and sustainable use of resources and enhancing food security. Then, it discusses the implications for investors and asset managers, starting with an assessment of the status quo of agriculture investing and providing a thorough description of the agriculture asset class with an emphasis on its distinctive characteristics and the innovations in the technological processes used in agriculture and farming with the greatest potential to obtain long-term sustainable returns.
Author(s): Stefano Gatti, Carlo Chiarella, Vitaliano Fiorillo
Series: Contributions to Finance and Accounting
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 120
City: Cham
Foreword
Foreword
Introduction
References
Contents
Chapter 1: Megatrends Affecting Agribusiness: From Challenges to Opportunities
1.1 Introduction
1.2 An Overview of Megatrends
1.2.1 Identifying Key Megatrends
1.2.2 What Will Affect Business in the Next Five to Ten Years?
1.2.3 Megatrends in the PESTLE Analysis
1.2.4 The Driving Forces
1.3 Megatrends and Challenges in the Agribusiness Industry
1.3.1 Delving into Megatrends and Challenges in Agribusiness
1.3.2 Agribusiness Megatrends
Growing Demand and Changing Dietary Preferences
Climate Change and Natural Resources Scarcity
Technological Innovation and Hyperconnectivity
Integration of Global Trade
1.3.3 Agribusiness Industry Challenges
Improvement of Agriculture Productivity and Food Loss and Waste Reduction
Efficient Use of Resources and Enhancement of Ecosystem Services
Improvement of Public Nutrition and Health
Better Distribution of Value Along the Supply Chain
1.4 Innovation Trajectories in the Agribusiness Sector
1.4.1 Spotting Agribusiness Technological Innovations
1.4.2 Renewable Energy in Agriculture
Bioenergy Production
Intelligent Agrivoltaics
Solar Desalination for Irrigation
1.4.3 Chemistry and Biotechnology
New Breeding Techniques for Plants
New Breeding Techniques for Livestock
New Breeding Techniques for Fish
1.4.4 Novel Farming Systems
Vertical Farming
Insect Farming
Algae Farming
1.4.5 Innovative Aquaculture
1.4.6 Agritech
1.4.7 Alternative Proteins
Cultivated Meat
Fermentation-Derived Proteins
Plant-Based Meat
1.4.8 Food Safety and Traceability
Food Preservation Technologies
Smart Packaging: Active, Intelligent, and Connected
Smart Traceability
1.4.9 E-commerce
Food Delivery Ecosystems
1.5 Conclusion
References
Megatrends Analysis: Literary Sources
Agribusiness Megatrends and Challenges Analysis Literary Sources
Technological Innovations Analysis Literary Sources
Other References
Chapter 2: Innovation Trends in the Agribusiness Supply Chain
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Agribusiness Innovation Landscape: Who Is Innovating and Why?
2.2.1 Dissecting Technological Innovations in the Agribusiness Industry
2.2.2 Distribution of Technological Innovations Along the Supply Chain
2.2.3 Matching Innovations and Industry Challenges
2.3 Technical and Business Development of Agribusiness Innovations and Implications for Investors
2.3.1 Assessing the Potential of Technological Innovations
2.3.2 The Status of Technological Innovations in the Industry
2.3.3 Looking Forward: Perspectives Ten Years from Now
2.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Agriculture as an Asset Class in the Alternative Investments Space
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Agriculture Investing
3.2.1 Agriculture as an Asset Class
3.2.2 A Taxonomy of Agriculture Investors
3.2.3 A Map of Fundraising and Investment in the Agriculture Asset Class
3.3 Can Agriculture Become an Asset Class in the Infrastructure Space?
3.3.1 The Status Quo at the Intersection Between Agriculture and Infrastructure Asset Classes
Asset Managers
Investors
Transactions and Target Companies
3.4 Conclusion
References
Conclusions
