Innovations in Agrifood involves using cutting-edge technologies to address challenges and inefficiencies in agricultural practices, food, production, distribution, and consumption.

Clean technologies is to create products that are more efficient and cost-effective, to reduce the negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment and to improve the use of natural and renewable resource. 

The AgriFoodTech industry is facing increasing pressure to produce food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. This includes reducing the use of chemicals and pesticides, improving water quality and energy usage, optimazing packaging, and reducing waste.

With the increasing demand for food safety and transparency, Agrifood tech startups need to find ways to ensure the safety and quality of their products throughout the supply chain.

And with a growing global population, there is an increasing demand for food. However, food production is not keeping up with this demand, and many people are facing food insecurity. There may be some relief from the problem with food alternatives and superfoods.

Food loss incorporates any edible food that goes uneaten at any stage, food that’s uneaten in homes and stores, this includes crops left in the field, food that spoils in transportation, and all other food that doesn’t make it to a store. Some amount of food is lost at nearly every stage of food production.

Food waste refers to food appropriate for human consumption being discarded, whether or not after it is kept beyond its expiry date or left to spoil. Often this is because food has spoiled but it can be for other reasons such as oversupply due to markets, or individual consumer shopping/eating habits.

The Agrifood tech industry has complex supply chains that involve multiple stakeholders and often cover long distances, making it challenging to maintain quality, safety, and sustainability throughout the supply chain.

Entering new markets and establishing a customer base can be a significant challenge for Agrifood tech startups. This may require adapting to local regulations and cultural norms, as well as establishing partnerships with local distributors and retailers.

Adopting new technologies can be a significant challenge for traditional food producers. Agrifood tech startups need to find ways to educate farmers and producers on the benefits of technology and provide affordable solutions.

Healthy soils are critically important to thriving crops and forests, quality pastures, diverse landscapes and wildlife. Entrepreneurs who develop solutions to protect and improve the vitality and productivity of soil quality can apply for the hackathon.

The main challenge in this sector is having access to financial services and funds that includes payments, credits, and insurance products, among others.

Entrepreneurs applying under this heading must be developing digital solutions that provide relevant information or advice to one or more actors in agriculture value chains. Anything related to agricultural best practices, agricultural software, pest and disease information, weather forecasts, and market prices could fall under this category.

Lack of tech usage in this sector such as robots, GPS technology, and smartphone apps to improve food production processes and agriculture best practices.

One of the major challenges facing the agriculture and agrifood sector in Lebanon is the limited availability and accessibility of data. This includes data related to crop yields, weather patterns, market demand, and supply chain information. The lack of reliable and timely data hinders the ability of farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers to make informed decisions.

Another challenge is the fragmentation of data collection and management systems. Different organizations and stakeholders within the agriculture and agrifood sector collect and manage data independently, leading to inconsistencies and duplication of efforts. This results in a fragmented data landscape that makes it difficult to integrate data from different sources and create a comprehensive picture of the sector.

The use of technology in the agriculture and agrifood sector in Lebanon is still limited, which contributes to the challenges related to data. For example, there is a lack of precision agriculture tools that can provide real-time data on crop health, water use, and soil conditions. Similarly, there is limited use of digital platforms for marketing, distribution, and supply chain management, which could generate valuable data on market demand and consumer behavior.

Even when data is available, there is a limited capacity for data analysis and interpretation within the agriculture and agrifood sector in Lebanon. This includes a shortage of skilled data analysts, statisticians, and data scientists who can turn raw data into actionable insights. Without this capacity, the potential benefits of data for the sector cannot be fully realized.

Climate change poses significant challenges including rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise, leading to widespread ecological disruption and threats to human well-being.

Pest and diseases in agriculture present ongoing challenges by threatening crop yields, food security, and economic stability, requiring constant vigilance, innovative pest management strategies, and resilient crop varieties.

Renewable energy storage and adoption face hurdles such as intermittency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, necessitating advancements in energy storage technologies, grid infrastructure, and supportive policies to achieve widespread adoption and integration into the energy system.

Air and water pollution in the agriculture and clean sectors contribute to environmental degradation, public health risks, and ecosystem harm, demanding comprehensive regulatory frameworks, sustainable farming practices, and pollution control measures to mitigate adverse impacts and safeguard environmental quality.