Sepehr Achard

iGrow News Articles by: Sepehr Achard

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As a dedicated journalist and entrepreneur, I helm iGrow News, a pioneering media platform focused on the evolving landscape of Agriculture Technology. With a deep-seated passion for uncovering the latest developments and trends within the agtech sector, my mission is to deliver insightful, unbiased news and analysis. Through iGrow News, I aim to empower industry professionals, enthusiasts, and the broader public with knowledge and understanding of technological advancements that shape modern agriculture. You can follow me on LinkedIn & Twitter.
Welcome to this edition of AgTech Digest, where we bring you the latest updates on funding, partnerships, innovations, and industry trends.

Latest Developments in Agriculture Technology

Explore the latest developments in agriculture technology, including AI systems and innovations in vertical farming and crop protection.

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Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) and Corteva (NYSE: CTVA) have entered a collaboration to accelerate agricultural innovations for smallholder farmers.

Gates Ag One and Corteva Announced Partnership

Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One) and Corteva (NYSE: CTVA) have entered a collaboration to accelerate agricultural innovations for smallholder farmers.

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AgPlenus discovered a novel Mode of Action active against Zymoseptoria tritici, the fungi responsible for Septoria tritici blotch in wheat.

AgPlenus Identifies Novel Mode of Action Against Zymoseptoria tritici

AgPlenus has discovered a novel Mode of Action (MoA) active against Zymoseptoria tritici, the fungal pathogen responsible for Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat.

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American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) updates policy book to prioritize solar projects with verified agricultural use.

Farm Bureau Endorses Agrivoltaics in Major Policy Shift at 2025 AFBF Convention

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) updates policy book to prioritize solar projects with verified agricultural use.

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Dickson Despommier, a microbiologist, ecologist, and considered by many as the father of modern vertical farming, has passed away

Dickson Despommier, Visionary of Vertical Farming, Passes Away

Dickson Despommier, a microbiologist, ecologist, and considered by many as the father of modern vertical farming, has passed away

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Massey Ferguson SB.1436DB is designed to increase field efficiency with dual-row bale production.

Massey Ferguson Unveils SB.1436DB Small Square Baler

Massey Ferguson SB.1436DB is designed to increase field efficiency with dual-row bale production.

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The Verdant Food and Agribusiness M&A Review & Outlook – 2024, published by Verdant Partners, reports a 24% decline in global M&A activity.

Verdant Partners Global Food & Agribusiness Review Sees M&A Declines in 2024, But Rebound Expected in 2025

The Verdant Food and Agribusiness M&A Review & Outlook – 2024, published by Verdant Partners, reports a 24% decline in global M&A activity.

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Hyliion signs a non-binding LOI with Al Khorayef Group to deploy up to twelve 200 kW KARNO™ generator units in Saudi Arabia.

Hyliion Signs LOI with Al Khorayef Group for KARNO™ Generator Deployment in Saudi Arabia

Hyliion signs a non-binding LOI with Al Khorayef Group to deploy up to twelve 200 kW KARNO™ generator units in Saudi Arabia.

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Meatable partnered with Pelagen to explore how Meatable’s opti-ox™ technology can be applied to further producing cultivated skin tissue.

Meatable & Pelagen Partner to Advance Cultivated Leather Technology

Meatable partnered with Pelagen to explore how Meatable’s opti-ox™ technology can be applied to further producing cultivated skin tissue.

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Key Takeaways: CIBO Technologies leverages simulation, modeling, and remote sensing to support regenerative agriculture. The company’s platform simplifies access to sustainability programs by integrating corporate and government incentives. CIBO collaborates with agricultural advisors to scale its solutions. Challenges include slow corporate climate action and complex enrollment processes for farmers. By 2030, CIBO aims to impact over 100 million acres globally while maintaining profitability. Leveraging Technology for Regenerative Agriculture CIBO Technologies, founded by Flagship Pioneering, was established to address challenges in understanding and improving the food system at scale. According to Daniel Ryan, CEO of CIBO Technologies, the company focuses on leveraging science and technology, including simulation, modeling, and remote sensing, to create scalable solutions without relying on extensive local data. “The problem we’re trying to solve is understanding the food and agriculture system at any scale without having to get local data,” Ryan explained. “Using inferences and modeling, we aim to understand what’s happening anywhere without needing data from a farmer.” The company’s software platform aims to enable corporations and governments to implement sustainability programs that incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. Bridging Farmers and Incentives CIBO’s mission includes simplifying access to sustainability programs for farmers. Ryan noted that farmers often face complex enrollment processes, which can deter participation. “One of the challenges is that enrollments for some programs are very complex for farmers,” he said. “Farmers have to manually gather data about planting dates, cultivars, and nitrogen use, which can be a lengthy process.” To address this, the platform works through trusted advisors, such as agronomists and crop consultants, who bring these programs to farmers. “Rather than try to create trust at the farmgate ourselves, we’ve chosen to leverage the existing relationships farmers have with their advisors,” Ryan added. CIBO’s technology also pre-qualifies farmers for programs based on field boundaries and modeled practices, reducing the burden of data collection during the initial stages of enrollment. “We can very quickly tell farmers whether they’re qualified for a program without requiring them to answer a thousand questions,” said Ryan. Addressing Industry Challenges The agricultural sector faces several challenges, including financial pressures on farmers and slow progress by corporations toward climate targets. Ryan acknowledged that corporate commitments to sustainability have progressed more slowly than anticipated. “Inflation has impacted their margins,” he said. “They’ve probably come out of the gate more slowly than if you’d talked to them in 2020 or 2019.” CIBO’s platform seeks to address these issues by integrating government funding, such as USDA conservation programs, with corporate sustainability initiatives. This approach aims to reduce costs for corporations while providing financial benefits to farmers. “We integrate USDA NRCS grants directly into our platform,” Ryan explained, “to bring funding alongside corporate incentives and deploy programs to farmers more effectively.” Innovations in Regenerative Agriculture Ryan highlighted several technologies that could advance regenerative agriculture, including biologicals that improve soil health, nitrogen-use efficiency, and automated data integration from farm equipment. Long-term funding is also critical. “Our goal is to create a 10-year resilience roadmap,” Ryan explained, “emphasizing the importance of supporting farmers through the initial years of transition to regenerative practices.” Additionally, while official statistics on the adoption of regenerative agriculture are challenging to establish, certain practices are gaining traction. For example, the McKinsey Global Farmer Insights 2024 states that 68% of farmers have adopted crop rotations, 56% have implemented reduced or no-tillage practices, 40% utilize variable-rate spraying or fertilization, and 35% practice controlled irrigation.  The company also sees potential in complementary financial solutions, such as low-interest loans and innovative insurance products, to further encourage adoption of sustainable practices. “There are fintech elements, like lower-interest loans for regenerative farming, that will become increasingly important as we move forward,” Ryan noted. Vision for CIBO CIBO Technologies aims to expand its reach globally, impacting over 100 million acres of farmland. The company’s goal is to become a leading platform for regenerative agriculture, balancing scalability and profitability. “We hope to become the de facto standard for regenerative agriculture and to have a global impact, not just in North America,” said Ryan. Ryan outlined a vision for a more resilient food system, reduced emissions, and improved soil health. He noted that reversing soil degradation and ensuring food security are essential priorities for the agricultural sector. Enhancing soil carbon sequestration could sequester up to 23 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050, creating long-term environmental benefits. “We don’t have a choice but to do this work,” Ryan stated. “Somehow, it has to get funded because people are going to want to eat.”

Daniel Ryan on Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: How CIBO Technologies Integrates Data, Incentives, and Innovation

Discover how CIBO Technologies leverages simulation and remote sensing for regenerative agriculture. Learn about CEO Daniel Ryan's vision.

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