Challenges for Global Food Security

Ensuring global food security remains a significant challenge, with more than 800 million people currently
suffering from hunger. Rice and sugar are two essential crops that face challenges in maintaining their
production and supply chains For rice, challenges include water scarcity, climate change, pests, and diseases.
and soil degradation. Additionally, rice is a staple food for nearly half of the world's population, making its
Production and distribution are critical. Sugar production faces similar challenges with climate change and water.
Scarcity affects yields, while labour shortages and price volatility impact the sugar supply chain. Addressing
These challenges will require research and innovation in sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient crops, and
improved supply chain management.

Direct Seed Cultivation (DSC): Rice

Rice is a primary food source, but it consumes a significant amount of freshwater, accounting for 24–30% of
global freshwater consumption. Traditional rice cultivation methods require labour-intensive nursing and
transplanting of seedlings, and they emit significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. However, a
A new direct-seeded rice cultivation method attaches seeds to a biodegradable film, which is laid on the field and
covered with soil to ensure seed-soil contact. This technique eliminates the need for nursing and transplanting.
and reduces weed control. By reducing water waste and increasing the success rate of germination and seedling
establishment, this method has the potential to transform rice cultivation, enabling farmers to grow rice in a more
sustainable and eco-friendly way while increasing yields. Supporting the research and development of this
Technology can create a more sustainable future for rice cultivation and promote food security worldwide.

Cell Suspension Culture (CSC): Sugar

Sugar production is a significant contributor to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. However, a new
innovative technology CSC could revolutionise sugar production. This technology involves growing sugar in a
nutrient-rich liquid medium, eliminating the need for traditional agriculture methods. It has the potential to reduce
the environmental impact of sugar production by reducing land use, greenhouse gas emissions, and
deforestation. Additionally, CSC has a higher yield potential than traditional agriculture methods and can be
grown in a controlled environment, ensuring high-quality sugar production year-round. By promoting this
With technology, we can support small-scale farmers and communities by providing a reliable and cost-effective way
to produce high-quality sugar, ensuring food security and fostering economic development.

Challenges for Water Desalination and Sanitization

Access to clean water is vital for human health and well-being, yet 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to
safe drinking water. Desalination, the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater, is an
increasingly popular solution. However, desalination is energy-intensive and requires significant investment in
infrastructure. Additionally, while desalination can provide clean water, it does not address sanitation challenges.
Sanitization remains a significant issue, particularly in developing countries where poor hygiene and sanitation
lead to the spread of diseases. Addressing these challenges will require innovative solutions that balance energy.
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and public health considerations.

Membrane Distillation

Traditional desalination methods can be energy-intensive and costly. Membrane distillation is a new type of
water treatment that uses temperature gradients to separate water from salt and other impurities. The process
involves passing hot water over a hydrophobic membrane that allows only water vapour to pass through, leaving
behind salt and other impurities. The resulting pure water can then be condensed and collected. Membrane
Distillation is energy-efficient and has lower operating costs than traditional desalination methods. However, the
Technology is still in the early stages of development, and scaling up the process for commercial use presents
challenges. Further research and development of membrane distillation technology could lead to a more
sustainable and affordable way to address water scarcity and promote global water security.

Solar Desalination

Solar desalination is a promising solution to address the global challenge of providing clean water in areas where
Freshwater is scarce. This innovative process uses solar energy to evaporate seawater, leaving the salt behind.
and collecting the resulting condensation as pure water. Not only is solar desalination energy-efficient and cost-effective,
effective, it also has the potential to be used in remote areas where traditional desalination methods are not available.
practical. However, the technology requires a large surface area for the solar collectors, and its efficiency can be
impacted by environmental factors such as weather and location. Despite these challenges, solar desalination
holds great potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for promoting water security worldwide.