2030年：中国将面临用水危机

    • 机器自动化技术将帮助农民减少所需要的水、化肥和种子数量。NIC称，未来五至十年，“自动拖拉机”将使用计算机技术进行更高效的耕种。所谓“自动拖拉机”可以看成是高度自动化的移动生产设施。NIC报告还称，高层结构的“垂直”农业，也有助于提高产量和降低用水量。

    •农业灌溉系统所用的水约有60%被浪费。微灌系统利用IT技术测量植物所需水量，可以大幅提高产量。但目前的微灌系统成本仍然过高。

    与任何预测一样，我们很难说这些技术多久就可以产生影响力，或者是否能够产生影响力。但至少对于希望在21世纪经济中寻找获利途径的投资者来说，这些技术确实是很有吸引力的想法。

    翻译：刘进龙/汪皓

    • Robotics might be able to help farmers reduce the amount of water, fertilizer and seed they need. The NIC says that with in the next five to 10 years, "autonomous tractors"—think of them as highly automated manufacturing facilities on wheels—can use computer technology to farm more efficiently. The NIC also reports that "vertical" farming in high-rise structures could help raise yields and reduce water consumption.

    • Irrigation systems on farms waste roughly 60% of the water used. Micro-irrigation systems that use IT to gauge exactly how much water needs to be dripped on plants could boost yields dramatically. The cost of today's micro-irrigation systems, however, is still high.

    As with any set of predictions it difficult to say how fast or even whether any of these new technologies will gain traction. At the very least, they do present some intriguing ideas for investors looking for a way to profit on the 21st century economy.