You know the one? If all the economists in the world were laid end to end, then they still wouldn’t reach a conclusion . . .

Well that could have been the outcome last Wednesday when leading scientists, ecologists, and engineering academics gathered for the annual IAgrE Conference at Cranfield University.

At first glance, the conference title Re-Imagining Agriculture: Engineering as a Strategic Enabler did not promise a day of light relief, particularly for those of us lower down the academic pecking order to whom discussions on soil structure dynamics, the radiation impact on crops and microbial diversity leave us struggling to participate in meaningful debate.

And yet, it was a fascinating and mostly comprehensible day that challenged many of the practices that so many of us take for granted. New IAgrE President, Mark Kibblewhite set the tone by asking us to spend the day exploring our fantasies!  He quoted Walt Disney, “If you can imagine it, you can do it”.

Thereafter, speaker after speaker debunked myths (“We are growing enough food, but not the right nutritional food”), questioned common practice ("Why are fields designed for horse teams, still the same shape?"), gave stark warnings (“If we don’t do something about diet, diabetes will bankrupt the NHS.") and provided us with deft quotations ("Engineer is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a skilful or artful contriver").

The end-game for scientists was summed up by one speaker who included a clip from the film Finding Nemo, when the fish engineer their escape to the outside world using plastic bags to float away, but having done so, paused and said 'What Now?'

What Now was probably the underlying message. When scientists develop feasible and workable solutions how do they convince the world at large – and particulary those with political agendas or huge financial interests - to stop and think about the bigger picture?

Would McDonalds or Burger King start offering Insect Burgers if the nutritional benefits were proven, and closer to home are bigger and more powerful tractors and combines the answer to the type of sustainable agriculture required for the future?

As ever, more questions than answers, but at least the debate is alive and well.