Farming the Future: Technological Frontiers on Earth and Beyond

Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026

Guest Editor:

Seyed Mohamad Javidan, PhD in Biosystems Engineering

Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Research interests: Artificial Intelligence; Agricultural Robotics; Smart Sensors; Precision Farming; IoT; Space Farming; Controlled-Environment Agriculture; Vertical Farming; Climate Resilience; Autonomous Systems; Sustainable Agriculture; Mars Colonization; Closed-Loop System

Topic Scope

As global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and population growth intensify, agriculture must evolve into a more intelligent, efficient, and resilient system. This special issue explores the frontier of next-generation agriculture, integrating advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart sensors. These innovations are not only revolutionizing traditional farming methods on Earth but also laying the groundwork for future agricultural systems in extraterrestrial environments.

Topics of interest include AI-driven decision-making tools for crop and resource management, autonomous robotic systems for planting and harvesting, and IoT networks that enable real-time monitoring of soil, weather, and plant health. The convergence of these technologies offers unprecedented precision, sustainability, and productivity in farming operations.

Furthermore, the issue opens the discussion on speculative yet increasingly plausible concepts like controlled-environment agriculture on Mars or the Moon. Advances in hydroponics, aeroponics, and closed-loop life support systems are making it conceivable to grow food beyond Earth. We invite articles that not only present technical developments but also explore philosophical, ethical, and logistical considerations of off-world farming.

By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, this special issue aims to provide a comprehensive view of agriculture’s future.

These topics are suitable for submitted articles, but are not limited to them:

• Autonomous Agricultural Robots: From Ground to Space
• AI-Driven Predictive Models for Crop Management
• IoT and Sensor Integration in Smart Farming Ecosystems
• Robotic Harvesting Systems for High-Value Crops
• Vertical and Indoor Farming for Extraterrestrial Habitats
• Soil-less Farming: Hydroponics and Aeroponics for Space Missions
• Energy-Efficient Farming in Isolated and Harsh Environments
• Data Fusion from Satellites and Ground Sensors for Precision Agriculture
• Designing Closed-Loop Agricultural Systems for Mars
• Ethical and Ecological Implications of Terraforming Through Agriculture
• Human-Robot Collaboration in Future Farming Systems
• Using Digital Twins to Simulate and Optimize Crop Growth in Space