Hipster or tech-savvy? Pick your fighter: low-tech vs high-tech food system

Sustainable food systems often choose to pick one of these directions: either high-tech or low-tech practices. When compared, which is the best strategy? “Going back” to traditional practices or “moving forward” with technological solutions and the so-called “smart farming”? We believe both strategies present advantages and disadvantages. This independent food systems dialogue aims to critically unpack them in an interactive and engaging way.

You will be asked to participate in the discussion by answering question such as: “How do you think we can improve the current food system with technological innovation?”; “What can we revive and preserve from the precious traditional ecological knowledge and practices of local rural communities?”; “How can we balance and integrate both low-tech solutions and high-tech ones for a more sustainable food system?”

The aim of the event is to have an online space for discussion and brainstorming on how to make our current food system more sustainable; to inspire each other and connect/expand our network of young people and practitioners working in the field of sustainable food systems, and to provoke critical thinking by busting myths on low tech and high tech “one size fits all” solutions for a sustainable food system.

Outline: 1 hour of online discussion

• 15’ Introduction: background and quick presentation of each speaker
• 30’ Fireside chat: set of questions for both high tech and low tech. Speakers can present/respond with a story-telling style (with visuals/pictures).
• 15’ Final Q&A: with the audience