Circular food start-up plans to cut Australia’s reliance on imports
Lockyer Valley Foods is aiming to raise $50 million in series A funding to build a fruit and vegetable processing facility in Queensland.
Digitisation
Does TIME’s best invention list mark a shift in how the world views agtech?
Agtech companies are celebrating recognition in TIME magazine’s best inventions for 2024. Does it mark a turning point in wider perceptions of the industry?
What solutions does the UK agri-supply industry want to achieve resilience?
A new report flags the growing demand for data, circular innovation and market access for precision bred commodities in the UK.
Watch: Farms are crying out for innovation, says UK-Agri-Tech Centre CEO
Farmers are not resistant change, says Phil Bicknell, CEO at the newly merged UK-Agri-Tech Centre. But the “three Cs” of communication, collaboration and cash are needed to help them adopt newer sustainable practices.
Watch: BASF on innovation, regulation and collaboration
Progressive regulatory frameworks, together with more collaboration with data, are needed to scale effective innovation, says BASF’s Neil Key.
Last chance to register for FREE webinar dissecting Asia’s growing agri-food ecosystem
AgTechNavigator's FREE AgTech Innovation and Investment – APAC editorial webinar takes place on November 6. Register your attendance today so you don’t miss out. The event will start on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM SGT (Singapore).
The end of the era of ‘nice to have’ products? 5 insights from McKinsey’s latest farmer survey that you can’t ignore
Cautious farmers are more concerned with ROI and less willing to experiment with new products and technologies, according to a new global report from McKinsey.
‘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.
‘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.
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.
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.
Sustainability report card
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?
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.
Project aims to create a unified methodology for the UK ag sector
Lloyds Banking Group and Soil Association Exchange have joined forces to offer what they call a ‘first of its kind’ environmental baselining assessment in a bid to create more sustainable and profitable farming practices.
Yara’s agtech arm Varda joins European soil health study
Agtech data services provider Varda has joined the four-year €6 million ‘DeepHorizon’ project, funded by Horizon Europe, to conduct extensive subsoil sampling across European countries.
Agtech investor profile
Serra Ventures on why investors will continue to be drawn to the rewards of agri-tech
It’s currently a challenging time for venture capitalists in the sector. But Tim Hoerr, founder and CEO of Serra Ventures, can’t think of a better category to be in.
'Seasonality can kill you as a company': Can a new standards framework help bring successful products to market quicker?
A new standard-setting playbook edited by Leaps By Bayer, the impact investment arm of Bayer, aims to spur innovation and investment across the sector.
Innovation Insider Country profile
India: Are the bets back on?
After the crisis in funding in 2023, India’s agtech landscape is adjusting. But can investment be directed to the right places? Harry Holmes investigates.
Terrantic seals $3.5m to help food processors extend shelf life and increase production yields
The US tech company, which provides data management and analytics solutions for the food production industry, has closed its oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round.
‘Fast and efficient’: How new near-infrared and machine-learning tech could enable on-the-ground chemical testing of agri products
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning can provide quick, accurate, and cost-effective product analysis of the chemical composition of agri materials, removing the need for expensive lab tests and putting the tech in the hands of workers...
Accuracy advances: How aligning satellite data with rice growth stages improved paddy mapping info in China
Scientists have developed an innovative framework that aligns advanced satellite data with rice growth stages to bolster paddy mapping accuracy in China, raising hopes it will enhance precision ag strategies and contribute to global food security efforts.
The ‘real’ challenge: Why agtech investments need to prioritise farmer adoption over fancy innovation
The ‘next phase’ of agtech investments will need to prioritise farmer adoption and implementation in order to have a significant impact, as opposed to the development – and piloting – of countless new innovations.
ADM and Farmer Business Network strive to expand adoption of digital regenerative agriculture platform
The pair have announced a new joint venture to accelerate the Gradable platform, designed to allow farmers to derive value from grain produced using sustainable and regenerative practices.
Leaf’s fundraise shows need for a common language in ag data
Leaf Agriculture has just raised $11.3 million to make it easier for companies to access and use farm data from multiple sources. Manual data entry or in-house data processing pipelines are not working anymore, co-founder and CEO G. Bailey Stockdale...
‘Fast and efficient’: How new near-infrared tech and machine-learning enables on-the-ground chemical testing of agri products
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning can provide quick, accurate, and cost-effective product analysis of the chemical composition of agri materials, removing the need for expensive lab tests and putting the tech in the hands of workers...
Digital tech can fix the global supply chain – but what can spur broader adoption?
A new report highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies to create a more sustainable, transparent, and resilient global agricultural trade system. But more guidelines, upskilling initiatives and standardisation of data are needed to...
UK agtech faces funding, scalability challenges amid sustainability and Brexit concerns
Despite being backed by a world-renowned science base, the UK's agri-tech industry grapples with significant challenges in translating its research into practical applications for end-users.
Global ag-food digital traceability needs greater inclusivity and collaboration to progress
Digital traceability in the global ag-food scene requires greater inclusivity and collaboration to bridge gaps among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries and transform supply chains, according to a comparative...
Precision ag start-up primed for growth after new partnerships
Canada-based Verdi says new support from Silicon Valley accelerators will allow it to rapidly scale its platform for farm automation.
Cage-free challenges: China egg industry leaders cite need for better traceability tech to prevent authenticity issues
Egg industry leaders in China have highlighted a need to develop better traceability technology to ensure cage-free eggs reaching consumers are authentic, in order for the sector to reach the next phase of development.
Meet the seven start-ups tasked with reshaping agri-food in Cambodia
Seven disruptive start-ups have been selected to drive agri-food innovation and economic growth in the country, offering innovative solutions to enhance the agrifood value chain, improve commercial exchanges, and introduce high-value crops.
AgTech innovators take centre stage in latest PepsiCo APAC Greenhouse Accelerator Program
AgTech innovations spanning carbon reduction, waste valorisation and soil characterisation from across Asia Pacific are among the latest cohort of the PepsiCo APAC Greenhouse Accelerator Program.
The adoption problem: new tie-up hopes to incentivise farmers to produce low carbon corn
Indigo Ag has announced a sustainable biofuels collaboration to allow farmers to benefit from clean fuel tax credit programmes.
Farm management app xFarm Technologies eyes expansion after integrating new tech
Switzerland’s xFarm Technologies hopes to establish itself as a European agtech leader after integrating new technology into its digital platform to provide more solutions to help growers become more efficient and sustainable.
VC investment
Agtech's ‘great reset’ continues, data reveals
PitchBook’s latest Q1 2024 Agtech Report indicates a market undergoing a correction, with the wheat being separated from the chaff. Some sectors are hotter than others, meanwhile.
Innovation Insider
UK: Raising funds at required scale a barrier to ‘transformative change’
Despite advances in innovation and technology in UK agriculture, attracting sufficient investment remains a key hindrance in achieving transformative change in the industry.
Ghana: Scientists turn to digital data to save virus-hit chocolate supply
A rapidly spreading virus threatens the health of the cacao tree and the dried seeds from which chocolate is made, jeopardising the global supply of the world’s most popular treat, scientists warn. They have developed a new strategy of using mathematical...
Start-up enabling precision crop management with robots and AI raises $3.8m
Founded in 2022, Cornell University spin out Orchard Robotics has engineered a vehicle-mounted, AI-powered camera system that gathers precision data about fruit on trees.
The worst job in ag? TerraClear raises US$15m to free farmers from chore of rock picking
Rock removal company TerraClear has announced its existing investors have poured an additional US$15 million into capturing the untapped US$2.7 rock management market. A 5,000-year-old problem finally has a solution, it says.
science shorts
Agtech Aha! Moments: From testing the world's first unmanned forestry machine to cultured beef rice
Our round-up of the latest research from institutions and universities across the globe looks at the world’s first unmanned machine designed for autonomous forestry operations, while Korean scientists have successfully developed ‘cultured beef rice’,...
Agri Trend Tracker: From BioConsortia’s latest US$15mn to Bayer’s data analysis to verify carbon reductions
Our 360-degree look at the latest developments from across the globe takes in the news that gene-editing start-up BioConsortia has secured US$15 million, while a UK-based spinout is set to accelerate efforts to help palm tree farmers improve yields.
World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Roundup
Agtech investment: Time to just forget the glory days of 2021?
Over the last 18 months there has been a notable shift in investor sentiment within the agtech sector, with the recent economic downturn casting a long shadow over the entrepreneurial landscape. Are we going to hell in a handcart? Is this an opportune...
Innovation insider
Japan wants to promote smart agriculture, fast
Agri-tech spend is lagging in the land of the rising sun. But amid the looming threats of depopulation and ageing, the government is looking to new styles of agriculture that can boost productivity, sustainability and strengthen national food security....
World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Roundup
Precision agri-tech could accelerate uptake of biologicals if regulations can keep up: report
The adoption of biological crop protection is being delayed by a regulatory environment that has failed to keep abreast of innovations that would make these products easier and more effective to use, according to a new report.
How multiomics is supporting agricultural analysis
Science continues to explore new ways to make agriculture more efficient in the modern world, taking a thorough approach to research and leaving nothing off of the table, including the impact of climate change. Here, we talk with Partha Banerjee, PhD,...
World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Roundup
Start-up scales AI-enabled genetic data analysis software for cattle producers
Technology accelerates more efficient, profitable and sustainable global beef production, says US-based AgBoost.
How carbon capture specialist Boomitra plans to scale regen ag in Brazil
Boomitra, a soil carbon marketplace and recipient of the 2023 Earthshot Prize, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Terra Carbono, a prominent sustainable land management organisation in Brazil. The collaboration will introduce regenerative...
The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit: The world’s biggest and best agtech show
With over 2,500 delegates and 70+ start-ups attending World Agri-Tech from 40 countries, all eager to expand their network and forge new partnerships, this year’s event is shaping up to be a memorable event.
Meet the Iraqi start-ups hoping to futureproof a drought-hit sector
The Agriculture Innovation Hackathon was hosted in Mosul earlier this month, as an agriculture sector beset by desertification turns to the power of technology to overcome the challenges faced by farmers.
Enhanced Rock Weathering: Indian start-up to explore market potential after fundraise
Varaha is further investigating the potential of Enhanced Rock Weathering – which boosts soil fertility and sequesters atmospheric carbon in the long term – after raising US$8.7 million.