Young Engineer Wins UN Award for Space-saving Agritech

Young British entrepreneur and inventor Adam Dixon was announced as a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth for his hydroponic technology that supports the growth of plants using 10 times less land and water than conventional horticulture.

Dixon, 25, is one of six young winners each representing a region of the world, awarded the prize from the United Nations Environment Programme and Covestro aimed at identifying, supporting and celebrating outstanding individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 with big ideas to protect or restore the environment.

Dixon’s  Phytoponics  technology enables food crops to grow in water encased in a 100 percent recyclable polymer film, improving irrigation efficiency and reducing the amount of land use needed for horticulture. In just one year, Dixon, together with a skilled team under his leadership, has built his company up to the value of $2.6 million and is supplying Europe's second largest producer of rocket salad.

“An important motivator for me has been witnessing the extent of deforestation and habitat loss around the globe to feed our growing population. I think it’s a tragedy that as a species we’ve had to use half our planet for our own needs,” Dixon said. “Gaining the acknowledgement and support from the Young Champion of the Earth prize is a huge boost for me, which will help me achieve my vision for sustainability and food security.” 

Image: Printscreen from the video  Adam Dixon, UN environment Young Champion of the Earth for Europe

Dixon’s immediate focus is on designing hydroponic solutions for greenhouses, where the majority of the fresh produce we eat is grown, as well as creating efficient, productive farms on the outskirts of cities so that the majority of the calories needed by a city’s population can be supplied locally. His ultimate vision, however, is that by 2050 the world will be using just 10 percent of its land for agriculture.

Source: UN Environment

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Taxonomy

• Agriculture
• Hydroponics
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Sustainable Agriculture