UN hails Cardiff inventor’s vision to feed the world
Cardiff-based Adam Dixon has been named as a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth.
The entrepreneur and inventor was chosen for his hydroponic technology that supports the growth of plants using 10 times less land and water than conventional horticulture.
Mr 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, which is aimed at identifying, supporting and celebrating outstanding individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 with big ideas to protect or restore the environment.
Mr Dixon’s Phytoponics technology enables food crops to grow in water encased in a 100% recyclable polymer film, improving irrigation efficiency and reducing the amount of land use needed for horticulture.
In just one year, Mr Dixon has built his company up to the value of $2.6m.
“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,” Mr 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.”
Mr Dixon admits he struggled at school and was often easily bored, but an appreciation of gardening acquired from joining his mother while she pottered in the backyard became a fascination with plant growth and a drive for innovation.
His cost-effective, rapidly deployable product is now being piloted by the World Food Programme in refugee camps to support the supply of fresh produce to thousands of people in what are often uncultivable, barren locations.
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 an urban population can be supplied locally.
His ultimate vision, however, is that by 2050 the world will be using just 10% of its land for agriculture.
Mr Dixon’s AgTech (agricultural technology) company was founded in Cardiff in 2016.
Since its inception, the company has won a host of awards, including the Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Award and Innovative Start-Up of the Year at the Wales Start-Up Awards.
The UN Young Champions receive $15,000 in seed funding and access to high-profile mentors. They also get to attend the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi (December 2017) and the UN General Assembly in New York (September 2018).