Better Origin, a UK-based insect mini-farm innovation, utilises artificial intelligence (AI) technology to transform local food waste into high-quality animal feed in the form of insect larvae. Its goal is to assist the food sector in meeting its net-zero objectives, to build a sustainable food chain, and to improve food supply and animal welfare.
“Events this year and previous have demonstrated how vulnerable our global food system truly is,” said Fotis Fotiadis, CEO and co-founder of Better Origin, a UK-based insect mini-farm.
“While we are still trying to comprehend how the pandemic has affected our global food supply chain, it is becoming increasingly obvious that we cannot rely entirely on imported food products,” Fotiadis said about Europe’s current food security outlook.
How insects contribute to our food security solution
The food industry now relies on soy, the majority of which originates from South America. “A disruption in the global soy supply chain can thus have a significant impact on animal output in the UK and EU,” Fotiadis noted.
The solution can be found in technologies that are being developed to enable for the production of food and feed products on a local scale. “Insects are a part of the answer,” Fotiadis emphasised.
Better Origin aims to address the issue of food security by manufacturing animal feed in a decentralised manner, close to farmers and communities.
“Another driver pushing change in the food chain is the government’s ambitious Net Zero targets, such as the British agricultural 2040 Net Zero target,” Fotiadis explained. While enthusiastically supporting the UK government’s efforts to assure the continued development of more sustainable and creative technology, Fotiadis emphasises, “But we must also focus on solutions that do not jeopardise food security.”
Over the next 30 years, our global population is anticipated to increase by 2 billion, reaching 9.7 billion in 2050.
“Food security is critical to feeding our population,” Fotiadis emphasises. “Food firms have a unique position in the supply chain, affecting both farmers and consumers,” Fotiadis emphasised.
In today’s environment, there is a possibility that we will continue to witness growing food costs and food shortages if nothing is done.
“To guarantee that climate action does not jeopardise food security, we must focus on solutions that increase yield and supply us with better food—all while preserving the world,” Fotiadis explained.
The insect mini-Better farm’s Origin X1 unit was designed with this in mind. The device reduces emissions caused by food waste while also providing sustainable feed. Better Origin intended to enable feed growth directly on the farm to shield farmers from the volatility of global food and feed supplies and to offer them an advantage in delivering high-quality output. It was designed to fit into a local and resilient food chain.
“Short-term solutions to food security and attaining Net Zero, such carbon offsets, are not the answer,” says Fotiadis, “since they do not focus on the inefficiencies of our supply chains — instead of fixing the problem, they cover it up.” “The sooner we begin working to reduce on-farm emissions and encourage local sufficiency, the better for our society,” Fotiadis emphasised.
Developing a more sustainable food chain and reaching net zero goals
“Investment in sustainable technology is critical to achieving Net Zero objectives,” Fotiadis explained. Working with and investing in start-ups and smaller businesses whose primary emphasis is resolving environmental concerns may help supermarkets, food producers, and farmers meet their Net Zero objectives and implement long-term reforms.
“Before purchasing carbon offsets, supermarkets and food industries should look directly into their supply chains,” Fotiadis said. “There is so much that can be done without leaving the farm, such as reducing food waste and substituting soy with a more sustainable feed.”
With 1.3 billion tonnes of food lost each year, Better Origin wants to use insects to convert food waste into feed. “This decreases the chicken industry’s reliance on foreign feed, such as soy, and assists retailers and food manufacturers in achieving Net Zero,” Fotiadis explained.
Better Origin’s approach can reduce up to 530 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by substituting soy and reducing food waste.
Alternative protein sources, such as algae and insect feed, are gaining popularity as the food industry focuses on how to improve animal welfare while eliminating land-intensive crops.
“Insects require less land, water, and energy than any other feedstock,” Fotiadis explained. “Their rich amino acid composition also makes them a superior source of protein,” says Fotiadis. Insects can also be farmed locally, reducing the environmental effect of transportation.
In terms of the advantages of employing insects, Fotiadis stated, “They also require minimum monitoring – the entire process can take place within a conventional shipping container, with AI managing feeding, temperature, and development.”
Using artificial intelligence to secure food
Food and agriculture are receiving a slew of new technologies, including vertical farming, precision agriculture, digitalization, and upcycling, as well as robots and artificial intelligence (AI).
“AI and automation can also make maintenance simpler and hands-off, which means decentralised (local) solutions like the Better Origin X1 can directly aid with localising the food supply and guaranteeing food security,” Fotiadis adds. “They also become more cost-effective as a result of AI-powered maintenance,” Fotiadis explained.
“The goal is that using technology will result in a food chain that is more solution-focused, sustainable, and secure. In a sense, technology like this enables us to be braver and adopt ideas that help us establish a more sustainable food chain.”