Renowned ag thinker and futurist Robert Saik will present a free public lecture on the future of food during Brandon University Homecoming 2023.

“A core group of farmers will be called on to grow the vast majority of the world’s staple food supply, and while mighty in their ability they need support from the general public,” says agriculturalist Robert Saik, a renowned thinker and futurist with deep roots in Westman.

Saik points out that demographic trends foresee a world population nearing 10 billion people by 2050, implying that agriculture must increase production by 60–70 per cent while also becoming infinitely sustainable.

Saik’s talk, which builds on his Amazon best-selling book Food 5.0: How We Feed The Future, will briefly explore the growth of agriculture through eras of muscle and machine through increasingly scientific approaches, then look forward to the disruptive technological convergence that’s already beginning to happen, as tech like drones and 3D printing and artificial intelligence transform the world’s food production.

“There are profound changes coming in the next two years — not the next five. How will tech change our ability to feed the future? This is essential knowledge for communities here in Westman, whether you’re directly involved in ag production, whether you work somewhere that does business with ag and really, for anyone who eats,” Saik said. “This is an optimistic talk. Let’s get pragmatic about the policies!”

Saik is an in-demand and compelling keynote speaker who appears regularly across Canada and internationally, including at many university campuses, but he got his speaking start right here in Brandon through Toastmasters.

“I’m pretty excited to come back to Brandon,” he said, noting that he once played hockey in Boissevain and continues strong business ties in the region, including having started one of the first carbon-trading companies in Manitoba in 2007, and continuing with precision ag and a new artificial intelligence company, visorPRO.ai, that helps customers trouble-shoot and repair their equipment — including a recent deal with MazerGroup.

For more information: https://news.brandonu.ca/2023/08/31/brandon-university-will-host-renowned-ag-thinker-robert-saik-at-free-public-lecture/