Sepehr Achard

Arugga AI Farming Launches First Autonomous Plant Lowering Robots in Europe

Arugga AI Farming has announced the commercial launch of its new autonomous plant lowering robot for greenhouse-grown tomatoes and cucumbers.

by Sepehr Achard
4th June 2025

Airlux Technologies Partners with Dutch Lion to Launch Hybrid Farming Platform

Airlux Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with Dutch Lion AgTech Solutions to co-develop a new hybrid farming platform.

by Sepehr Achard
4th June 2025

Tomorrow.io Partners with National Irrigation Administration to Deliver AI-Powered Weather Intelligence for Philippine Agriculture

Tomorrow.io, a U.S.-based weather intelligence company, has partnered with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Philippines to enhance climate resilience in agriculture.

by Sepehr Achard
4th June 2025

Weston Family Foundation Advances Indoor Berry Farming with $20M Scaling Phase Investment

The Weston Family Foundation has entered the Scaling Phase of its $33 million Homegrown Innovation Challenge, investing up to $5 million each in four Canadian teams.

by Sepehr Achard
4th June 2025

Vanguard Food LP Closes Deal to Form New Produce Industry Platform

Vanguard Food LP closed a transaction establishing a JV with Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, Sweat Equities & Village Farms International

by Sepehr Achard
3rd June 2025

A series of Magritte-inspired Surrealist artwork appeared outside the European Parliament – confronting policymakers with a visual warning about the future of farming in Europe, and a call to align the EU’s €386 billion farm subsidy system with the Green Deal. WeMove Europe, the independent campaign group made up of more than 750,000 people across Europe behind the stunt, have called for urgent CAP reform — demanding fairer subsidies, stronger market regulation, and greater support for sustainable, small-and medium-sized farms. The action is backed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental organisations and over 100,000 citizens across Europe. They argue the current subsidy system rewards intensive agriculture at the expense of small and sustainable farms. Share The action is backed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental organisations and over 100,000 citizens across Europe. They argue the current subsidy system rewards intensive agriculture at the expense of small and sustainable farms. More than five million farms have disappeared across the EU since 2005, while 80% of CAP funds go to just 20% of recipients. Polling released earlier this year shows up to 70% of farmers in Spain, Italy and Poland feel forgotten by policymakers — despite most expressing pride in their work and support for environmental action. Morgan Ody, a vegetable producer from Bretagne, France, and member of European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), says: “Alongside ensuring fair prices, a strong CAP budget is essential to tackle the challenges farmers face today. But that public money must be used to keep rural areas alive by regulating markets and supporting the transition to agroecology and more sustainable food systems – not to fuel the industrialisation of farming or line shareholders’ pockets.” Styled in homage to Magritte’s famous ‘Treachery of Images’, the artworks unveiled carry captions such as “Ceci n’est pas une pomme” and “Ceci n’est pas une ferme”. Their message: Europe’s farm policy no longer feeds people — it feeds corporate consolidation. The full collection is viewable at www.notfarming.com. The aim is to challenge outdated “postcard” perceptions of farming — and spark honest discussion among policymakers about who the current system really serves. In many European areas, one in three farms has ceased operations, while subsidised overproduction drives prices so low that some farmers earn less than it costs them to produce. In France and Spain, for example, milk is often sold below production cost — a market failure propped up by the CAP. Giulio Carini, communications manager at WeMove Europe says: “Our farming system is rigged. Small farmers are being pushed off the land while agribusiness giants cash in on public money. Discussions about the future of the CAP need to address what we are paying for, not just how much money is allocated to it. We need to support farmers and reward them for protecting our nature and climate, on which they rely. We’re calling on people across Europe to stand up for fair prices, healthy food, and a future where small sustainable farmers and nature can thrive. This is our moment to demand our EU leaders fix this broken system.” In full, the coalition is calling for: Fair prices for farmers that reflect the full cost of sustainable food production Stronger market regulation, including supply management and minimum price guarantees Greater support for small and medium-sized farms over industrial agribusiness A just transition to agroecology to protect soil health, climate, biodiversity, and food sovereignty Access to healthy, sustainable food for all, ensuring that good food is affordable and available, and that people can make real choices about what they eat, without hidden environmental or health costs. These reforms are essential not only for securing farmers’ futures, but also for delivering on the EU Green Deal — ensuring that Europe’s food system supports climate, nature and communities alike.

WeMove Europe Pushes for Urgent Reform of EU Farming Subsidies

A WeMove Europe art campaign outside the European Parliament called for reform of the EU's €386 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

by Sepehr Achard
3rd June 2025

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Launches Blueberry Boost Accelerator to Support Emerging Startups

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council & VentureFuel introduced the Blueberry Boost Accelerator to support startups utilizing blueberries.

by Sepehr Achard
3rd June 2025

Lufa Farms & Walmart Canada Partner to Offer Rooftop-Grown Produce in Montreal

Walmart Canada is now selling hyperlocal produce grown by Lufa Farms atop its Marché Central Supercentre in Montreal.

by Sepehr Achard
2nd June 2025

Mondelēz International Joins 100+ Accelerator to Advance Sustainable Innovation

Key Takeaways Mondelēz International becomes the sixth corporate partner in the 100+ Accelerator program, joining companies like AB InBev and Unilever. The initiative supports global startups focused on sustainability in […]