{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2Fa5c12c1c-3d09-4399-8e77-54d22837b267","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"S2E23: Melvin Medina - An Agricultural Globetrotter","description":"Episode Summary\r\n\r\nJoin Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show Agricultural Officer at FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Melvin Medina. The FAO is an organization that is striving for zero hunger, a sustainable planet and a future of food for all. In this episode, Harry and Melvin talk about Melvin\u2019s passion for horticulture, the numerous roles Melvin has held in the AgTech industry and the impactful work Melvin has done in Jamaica, Tanzania, Cambodia and Italy. They touch on specific projects Melvin and his team have worked on throughout the years as well as the message Melvin would like to leave about the future of AgTech and vertical farming.\r\n\r\nEpisode Sponsor\r\n\r\nCeres Greenhouse Solutions\r\n\r\nKey Takeaways\r\n03:22 \u2013 Harry welcomes to the show Melvin Medina, who shares his passion for horticulture and how he initially got involved in AgTech \r\n10:02 \u2013 Melvin recalls the decision to join Fintrac and the work he did building greenhouses in Jamaica\r\n15:02 \u2013 Challenges Melvin and his team faced in constructing greenhouses in an area where hurricanes are commonplace\r\n17:46 \u2013 Other projects Melvin worked on during his time at Fintrac\r\n20:43 \u2013 Melvin discusses the culture shock he experienced while working in places such as Tanzania and Cambodia\r\n24:04 \u2013 Melvin opens up about the challenges of raising a family while traveling so extensively for work and what eventually led his to FAO\r\n28:38 \u2013 Melvin discusses the common issues he sees among farmers across the globe and what opportunities he sees for technology to address these issues\r\n38:42 \u2013 Melvin provides a brief history of FAO, their mission and the important work they do\r\n42:08 \u2013 Melvin speaks to how the global pandemic has affected how we all view agriculture and the overall supply of food\r\n44:31 \u2013 Melvin speculates on the future of his career and shares a message with the overall community about AgTech\r\n48:59 \u2013 Harry thanks Melvin for joining the show and let\u2019s listeners know where they can connect with him\r\n\r\nTweetable Quotes\r\n\r\n\u201cIn 2005 I was moved to Jamaica to replicate what we were doing in El Salvador. And it was a great experience because we were establishing the first greenhouses in Jamaica.\u201d(12:36)\r\n\r\n\u201cWhat I wanted to really do was instead of being in one place and assisting farmers in one place, my vision was to be at a place where I could reach more people. And FAO has offered me that opportunity.\u201d(27:07)\r\n\r\n\u201cThe issues that are common between countries and regions are, for example, the lack of access to funds, the access to high quality extension services.\u201d(29:17) \r\n\r\n\u201cWe need these systems to be affordable for small-scale farmers. It will be very good to come up with low-cost systems so farmers can afford to invest in these systems without losing efficiency.\u201d(33:17)\r\n\r\n\u201cI have seen farmers growing crops on their adapted systems, even low cost systems. And they are able to send their kids to school. They are able to pay for better healthcare services. And they are able to buy better and more food. So it\u2019s possible.\u201d(38:01)\r\n\r\n\u201cI think during this pandemic the world has realized the importance of food and the supply of food.\u201d(42:37)\r\n\r\nLinks Mentioned\r\n\r\nFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Website\r\n\r\nMelvin\u2019s Division: Plant Production & Protection Division\r\n\r\nMelvin\u2019s LinkedIn\r\n\r\n\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\r\n\r\nPodcast Production and Marketing by FullCast: https://bit.ly/3sxZ34y\r\n\r\nSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/29ae58a0-6845-4e26-9676-614bf59e3183/image.jpg"}