Harvesting the Future
Harvesting the Future
3.19 | “Comparison is the thief of joy." - Theodore Rosevelt
News and Numbers
Markets this Week:
S&P 500 is down 0.68%
NASDAQ 100 is down 1.35%
Bitcoin-USD is up 2.63%
Ethereum-USD is up 2.09%
Headlines from this Week:
Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion - the UFC - has merged with the biggest professional wrestling brand in the world - the WWE - to form a new $21B company trading as TKO on the NYSE.
Finance
By Vlad Estoup, B.Comm. (Finance); working in Ethereum cybersecurity
OOO
Out of office until October 7, 2023.
This is not financial advice and you should always do your own research before investing in any securities or cryptocurrencies.
Sci-Tech
By Keyann, Software Engineer in Web3
AgTech: Harvesting the Future
Farming, the humble yet monumental act of cultivating the earth to bring forth sustenance, has undergone a seismic transformation over the past century. As the wheels of industrialization turned, farming evolved from labor-intensive agrarian societies into sprawling industrial operations. Though this shift enabled us to feed billions, the rush towards mechanization has also left us blind to generations of accumulated wisdom—knowledge that could help us navigate the fine line between prosperity and ecological collapse.
One stark example of this oversight is the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. In a quest to reap the golden promise of industrial agriculture, farmers in the Central United States tore through native grasslands to make way for monocultures of wheat and corn. Soil, once teeming with life and held in place by native vegetation, was left vulnerable to the whims of the wind. The consequences were devastating: mass migrations, impoverishment, and, paradoxically, food scarcity amidst plenty. The irony is that generations of indigenous and local farmers knew how to cultivate this land sustainably. But in the rush for “progress,” this wisdom was sidelined, leading to an ecological and social disaster.
The lessons from the Dust Bowl are not relics of the past; they serve as cautionary tales for modern society. In today’s globalized world, where a single crop failure can send ripples through international markets, the stakes are even higher. Automation and industrial agriculture, for all their benefits, have to be carefully calibrated to the needs and limitations of the land. But how do you program an AI or design a piece of heavy machinery to comprehend the subtleties of soil quality, local microclimates, or the benefits of crop rotation? Machines can’t replace the nuanced understanding that comes from generations of human experience living in harmony with the land.
The danger lies not in the automation but in the hubris to think that our technology can entirely replace the intricate, time-tested systems that have been developed by farmers over millennia. Ignoring these systems not only puts food security at risk but also threatens the very ecosystems that sustain life on this planet.
But there is hope. A new wave of agricultural practices, often labeled as regenerative or sustainable agriculture, aims to synthesize modern technology with traditional wisdom. Drones are used to survey land, identifying areas that need rest or nutrients, while farmers are reverting to crop rotations and polycultures, enhancing soil fertility and resilience. These methods don't shun technology; instead, they use it as a tool to facilitate age-old wisdom.
As the world faces unprecedented challenges—from climate change to food security—it’s crucial to remember that farming is not merely an industrial process to be optimized. It's a complex, delicate balance between humanity and nature, technology and tradition. While the race for efficiency and yield won't slow down, let's ensure we're not leaving invaluable wisdom in the dust.
Paradigm Shift
By Roman Kuittinen-Dhaoui, BBA, CPHR Candidate; working in Human Resources
Annual Salary Increases
Annual salary increases are a vital tool for companies to attract, retain, motivate, and reward their employees while remaining competitive in the job market. They contribute to a more stable and satisfied workforce, which can lead to improved business performance and long-term success. Annual salary increase help employee retain their purchasing power amid inflation.
However, did you know that your salary increase is usually determined in the prior year? Yes, when companies do their budget cycle in Q4 for the upcoming fiscal year, they budget salary increases for staff. Now, this doesn’t mean that top performers won’t be rewarded with bigger increases. For example, the company may budget a 4% average salary increase for staff, but give high-performing John a 6% raise and low-performing Jane a 2% raise to balance things out.
Companies provide annual salary increases to their staff for several important reasons such as:
Retention and motivation. Salary increases are a way to retain valuable employees and motivate them to stay with the company. When employees see their compensation growing over time, they are more likely to remain loyal to the organization rather than seeking new job opportunities elsewhere.
Employee satisfaction and morale: Higher salaries contribute to employee satisfaction and overall morale. When employees feel that they are being fairly compensated for their work, they are generally happier and more engaged, which can lead to increased productivity and a more positive work environment.
Market competitiveness. To remain competitive within their industry and region, companies need to offer salaries that are in line with market standards. Regular salary increases help companies stay competitive and ensure they can attract and retain the talent they need to succeed.
Cost of living adjustment. Inflation and the rising cost of living can erode the real value of an employee's salary over time. Annual salary increases help employees keep pace with these increases in the cost of living, ensuring that their purchasing power is maintained.
Rewarding performance. Companies often link salary increases to an employee's performance. This provides a tangible incentive for employees to excel in their roles, meet or exceed performance pbjectives, and contribute positively to the company's success.
Skill and experience recognition: As employees gain more skills and experience over time, their value to the company often increases. Providing annual salary increases is a way for companies to recognize and reward employees for their growing expertise and contributions.
(Head)Space
by Roman
Hanging Out with Yourself
Nobody tells you this: part of growing up and “adulting” is hanging out with yourself.
As a kid, you get used to seeing your friends every day at school. You kind of take it for granted. You don’t have to put in much effort since you’ll be joking around in class 5 days a week.
However, as you get older and your friends move to different cities/countries, you realize how much more time you now spend alone. Then you get into a relationship and you spend a significant amount of time with your partner. (Time that you truly enjoy.) Yet, there are those moments when I feel like I just want to be alone and do my thing (i.e., watch sports in peace).
I always had a busy schedule due to school, work, and sports. Rarely would I have a day where I didn’t need to be somewhere… As I matured, I have learnt that I would much rather spend my free time doing what I wanted to do rather than going along with someone else’s agenda. Now, this seems pretty obvious so I’ll provide an example to illustrate my point. On a Friday night, I would much rather chill, watch a movie, and get a good sleep, than go out drinking and wake up feeling tired the next day. My priorities have changed. The fear of missing out (FOMO) will not detract me from my goals and peace.
P.S. I heard somewhere that “drinking is like borrowing happiness from tomorrow.”
Company of the Week
Indigo Agriculture
Indigo Agriculture focuses on microbiome technology to improve crop yields naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Their products are designed to enhance plant health and resilience, allowing farmers to produce more with fewer inputs.
The company has raised over $850 million in funding across multiple rounds, from a variety of investors including the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Flagship Pioneering, and the Alaska Permanent Fund. The company had achieved a valuation in the billions of dollars, reflecting high expectations for its range of initiatives aimed at making agriculture more sustainable and efficient.
Indigo also has an ambitious vision to make agriculture more sustainable through a range of practices. For example, they have an initiative aimed at promoting regenerative farming techniques that could help combat climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide in the soil. Their marketplace platform connects farmers directly with buyers, aiming to improve transparency and sustainability throughout the agricultural supply chain.
The company has garnered a lot of attention for its innovative approach to solving some of agriculture's most pressing challenges, such as sustainability, yield improvement, and climate change mitigation. While there's still a long road ahead to fulfill all of its promises, Indigo Agriculture represents the kind of interdisciplinary, forward-thinking company that could play a key role in the future of farming.
Written by: Vlad Estoup, Keyann Al-Kheder, and Roman Kuittinen-Dhaoui