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Revolutionising the Food Chain with Technology

4.4 (11 reviews)

Explore how technology and digitalisation can change how the food system operates, reducing waste and environmental pressures.

2,414 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    5 weeks

  • Weekly study

    4 hours

  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
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This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Discover how innovative technologies could revolutionise the food sector

Food quality and safety is increasingly under threat as natural resources are stretched by climate change, hunger, and explosive population growth.

On this course, you’ll learn how the food sector can respond to these challenges by adopting innovative tech. You’ll discover how data-enabled technologies are becoming more accessible and affordable, driving a revolution in how the food business operates.

You’ll identify how these innovations can make the food chain and food systems more efficient and productive, allowing them to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 10 seconds By 2050, global food systems will need to feed and nourish more than 9 billion people in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. In order to achieve global food security for future generations, innovations in technology will play an important role. This free online course will showcase state of the art technologies across the entire food chain from farm to fork that have the potential to transform the food system and achieve productive, nutritious, sustainable, and transport food systems, which contribute to global food security.

Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds If you are working in the food sector and looking to innovate through technological advancements or aspiring to become an agent of change, this course will help you on your journey towards an innovative, inclusive, and trusted food system for the future.

What topics will you cover?

● The challenges in the food system: from feeding a growing population, the competition for resources, climate change, the complexity of the global food chain to the double burden of malnutrition

● How innovation and digitalisation of the food chain can play an important role in overcoming the challenges in the food system

● State of the art technologies across the entire food chain, from farm to fork, that have the potential to transform the food system; and achieve productive, nutritious, sustainable and transparent food systems that contribute to global food security and the sustainable development goals

● The management perspectives – economic, environmental, technical, political, welfare and market factors – stakeholders and/or entrepreneurs must consider before introducing and/or adopting technology in the food chain

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Assess the issues in transitioning to a digitalised food system – economic, environmental, technical, political, welfare and market factors
  • Identify the issues related to a sustainable and innovative food system which delivers the dietary needs of a rising population in a safe, sustainable and responsible way
  • Explore the different technologies which can transform the food sector
  • Develop an appreciation of the economic, environmental and health benefits which digital technology can offer the food system
  • Lead and power learners to become innovative and make the food sector the forefront of innovation

Who is the course for?

Everyone is welcome to join for general interest purposes.

This course would particularly appeal to professionals working in the agri-food sector, and entrepreneurs and enterprises looking to transform the food sector with technological advancements and new trends.

Who will you learn with?

Michaela Fox

Michaela is a Lecturer in Education working on the development of EITFOOD education programmes. Her background is in food science and research at the Institute for Global Food Security.

Thomas Engel

I am Manager Technology Innovation Strategy at the John Deere European Technology Innovation Center in Germany. My research focus is on precision agriculture and sustainable food production

Who developed the course?

EIT Food

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

Queen's University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities.

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial skills in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.

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Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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