FarmTech Society (FTS) is the international non-profit industry association that unites and supports the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry, seeking to strengthen the sector through the development and implementation of resilient and future proof methods and technologies for indoor growing.
FTS is driving forward the CEA industry through three pillar activities—Standards, Education & Policy — where critical barriers and opportunities lie for the industry’s upscaling and mainstreaming.
Industry Platform Purpose – Engaging industry stakeholders, from startup to SME and multinational companies, universities and vocational training institutions, regulators and planners, policy-makers, retailers, as well as grower and consumer organisations. This platform needs to be accessible and visible, providing interactive events as well as internal committees and working groups, and to partner with other industry associations and stakeholders that are of interest.
Need for Quality Information and Harmonized Typology under the Authority of an Independent Association – overcoming scattered and/or missing data through a protected database with verified information and uniform descriptions of innovation-driven systems, creating clear and concise categories, standards, certificates and criteria for the industry (9). This information is managed by FTS that provides trust and transparency in a way that enhances the industry collaborative and cross-sectoral development at a pre-competitive level.
Proactive Policy Development – Endeavoring to shape transparently the enabling environment, in terms of policy-making, regulatory as well as financial challenges and opportunities. Moving towards facilitating the integration of green infrastructures and intensive agro-ecological practices guided by circular economy principles. This cross-sectoral action spans over the whole supply chain, from fertilizers to packaging, and more, like vocational training and capacity building for STEM professional profiles.
FTS carries out collective actions, gathering members & partners under its umbrella, to overcome the CEA industry’s aforementioned barriers, hence presenting it as a sustainable solutions provider officially in line with present and upcoming global challenges.