Headlines

Image: US company Terviva transforms pongamia beans into food ingredients, animal feed and bioenergy. Image: Getty/Subas chandra Mahato

Plans to turn pongamia oil into biofuel move up a gear

Terviva, the company aiming to plant 200 million pongamia trees over 10 years for food, feed and fuel, has received investment from Chevron Renewable Energy Group, as mining giant Rio Tinto also looks to pongamia as a feedstock for renewable diesel production.

‘We still have work to do’: Agreena celebrates milestone but insists efforts are needed to scale regen ag

Danish company Agreena is now working with more than 2,300 farmers to transition a total of 4.5 million hectares to regenerative agriculture across Europe – up by 2.5 million hectares in a year.

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Biologicals: Addressing the growing need to future-proof the food system

Delivering novel, effective and sustainable solutions for the agtech industry is driving innovations in the biologicals space.

Moa Technology, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, is developing innovative herbicides to combat herbicide-resistant weeds. Image: a Moa scientist working.

Is it time for a more balanced perspective on chemical crop protection?

Valid concerns about their use have led to some negative perceptions. But it’s time to be more agnostic regarding the use of both synthetic and natural ingredients in crop protection, believes Moa Technology.

‘Aggressive’ usage of technology by young and growing farms revealed

A new report shows a rise in digital payment adoption among US farmers, reflecting a broader industry shift towards digital solutions. But costs are still a concern for younger tech adopters.

Gene editing set to boost Africa’s pressured yam production

A project by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with US tech company Pairwise, will employ gene editing to support the yam in industry in Nigeria and wider region.

Study: Biochar ineffective as feed additive for reducing methane in dairy cows

A recent Swiss study has found that biochar (BC), a substance gaining popularity in agriculture for carbon storage and soil improvement, does not effectively reduce methane emissions.

Denmark: Outlier or pioneer?

Will Denmark’s unprecedented carbon tax be replicated in other countries? Or is it simply another example of its unique willingness to challenge the status quo?

Matteo Vanotti (left) and Matteo Cunial, co-founders of xFarm. Image: xFarm

xFarm eyes global growth after raising €36 million

The company that provides digital solutions to help farmers and agribusinesses optimise their operations has raised €36 million in a Series C funding round.

Smallholder farmers in Africa call for improved access to technology

Smallholder farmers in Africa benefit from regenerative agriculture through a diverse set of practices but need better access to technology.

Recoup launches gut-friendly beverage at Sprouts, raises awareness on benefits of regen ag

Recoup’s prebiotic sparkling beverages hit the shelves at 420 Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide, as the company leans into gut health and regenerative agriculture claims to deliver consumer demands for functional and environmental benefits....

The UK retailer uses drones to monitor and maintain crop health. Image: M&S

M&S employs precision ag to deliver eco-friendly parsnips in time for Christmas

UK retailer Marks & Spencer has begun using drones and robot tractors to produce lower carbon parsnips.

Food companies' regenerative ag strategies 'lack ambition'

Beef and dairy companies put greater focus on claiming lower emissions through regenerative ag practices over embracing the concept holistically, a new report has found.

Is carbon capture and storage really a feasible option to combat climate change?

Two studies investigate the potential of carbon capture and carbon sequestration in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Overheard at World Agri-Tech – 11 talking points for the sector to ponder

From regen ag to AI and biologicals… what’s hot and what’s not in agtech? This and much more was discussed at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London.

Are JBS’s sustainability commitments meaningless without more transparency?

The meat giant’s climate ambitions are ‘unwavering’, according to its latest sustainability report. Is it making genuine progress or just hot air?

Smart lighting key to future-proofing vertical farming, say scientists

Using dynamic environmental control or manipulating light according to the needs of specific crops could make them grow stronger and healthier in an indoor setting while minimising energy use, according to new research.

The new financing is designed to build public private partnerships and mobilise investment into smallholder farmers in low-income countries. Image: Getty/boezie

New $75 million financing unveiled for high-potential but neglected value streams

The Business Investment Financing Track (BIFT), a new window within the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), aims to bolster inclusive, climate-smart, and nutritious food systems in the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

UK government set to advance precision breeding legislation for gene-edited crops

The UK government has announced next steps toward implementing the Precision Breeding Act, aimed at harnessing the benefits of gene editing technology in England.

Farmers globally demand agricultural innovation: Bayer survey

Farmers around the world are crying out for agricultural innovation amid widespread concern over climate breakdown, a new survey has found.

No pain, no gain? Ynsect has filed a safeguard plan after failing to find enough financing for its expansion plans. Image: Ynsect

What’s gone wrong for Ynsect?

The French poster child of the insect farming industry has filed a safeguard plan after failing to find enough financing for its expansion plans. Can it find cash from some investors?

Chiquita announces ‘major milestone’ in banana breeding

Chiquita has announced the introduction of Yelloway One, a banana hybrid resistant to Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and partially resistant to Black Sigatoka. These fungal diseases are among the most significant threats to global banana production.

Enhanced rock weathering start-up Eion celebrates Microsoft deal

Eion, a carbon removal company that uses enhanced rock weathering to remove atmospheric CO2 permanently and verifiably, has announced a contract to deliver 8,000 tonnes of permanent CO2 removal to Microsoft.