As the global population heads towards 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for protein – a vital nutrient in human diets – is placing immense strain on food systems already reeling from climate change. Droughts, floods and erratic weather are reducing crop yields, while livestock suffer from heat-induced fertility and productivity declines. Traditional farming methods are struggling to keep pace, prompting a technological revolution in agriculture.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), once the realm of gamers, are now being harnessed by farmers to increase efficiency, sustainability and resilience. One breakthrough is the ‘digital twin farm’ – a precise virtual model of a real farm created from drone data, sensors and weather inputs. Farmers can simulate entire growing seasons, test irrigation strategies and optimise fertiliser use without disturbing a single plant. At the University of Cambridge, engineers have developed such a twin for an underground hydroponic farm, monitoring dozens of variables in real time.
In livestock management, AR is proving indispensable. Tools like the SmartGlove allow farmers to view real-time health data overlaid on individual animals using smart glasses, enabling early detection of disease and reducing herd-wide risks. Similarly, crops are benefiting from AR-enhanced diagnostics, such as systems that identify viral infections faster and more accurately than lab tests.
Remote farming is also gaining traction. Using VR interfaces, farmers can now control drones and harvesters from afar, a boon in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. Studies have shown that VR-guided robotic harvesting can achieve up to 90% success rates. Low-cost systems developed in Colombia are helping smaller farms adopt this technology.
The innovation doesn’t stop in the field. In Korea, researchers have built VR simulators to model greenhouse airflow and climate, optimising energy use and plant health. Meanwhile, Oxford scientists are using VR to explore proteins at the molecular level, potentially designing more sustainable and flavourful alternatives.
These technologies are not only transforming how we grow food but also how we design the systems that produce it. From vertical farms to lab-grown meat facilities, VR offers a way to fine-tune efficiency before construction begins – saving money and reducing environmental impact.
As global food demands rise, immersive technologies offer a glimpse into a future where farming is smarter, more sustainable and increasingly hands-free.
