Sepehr Achard

From Seed to Sale: How Entrepreneurship Schools Use Container Farms to Teach Business

Explore the impact of Entrepreneurship programs using container farms to enhance education and career readiness.

by Sepehr Achard
15th April 2026

SpinCo Executive Leadership Team Announced for Corteva’s Planned Q4 2026 Separation

Corteva Inc. announced the executive leadership team for SpinCo, the advanced seed and genetics company resulting from its planned separation in Q4 2026.

by Sepehr Achard
15th April 2026

Agriodor developed INSIOR® Gr A, an olfactory repellent technology distributed by Syngenta in France for controlling green aphids

Agriodor Raises €15 Million to Scale Scent-Based Crop Protection Globally

French agtech firm Agriodor secures €15 million Series A to expand its olfactory biocontrol technology for pest management across Europe and the Americas.

by Sepehr Achard
15th April 2026

McGill Opens State-of-the-Art Greenhouse and Research Platform at Macdonald Campus

McGill University officially opened a new teaching greenhouse and advanced plant phenotyping facilities at its Macdonald Campus with $23.8 million in provincial and federal funding.

by Sepehr Achard
14th April 2026

Auburn University's College of Agriculture is collaborating with USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory on drone and AI research

Auburn University & USDA Launch Collaborative Drone and AI Research Initiative

Auburn University's College of Agriculture is collaborating with USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory on drone and artificial intelligence research for agricultural applications.

by Sepehr Achard
14th April 2026

Boehringer Ingelheim received an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for IVOMEC® (ivermectin) 1% Injection.

Boehringer Ingelheim Launches LENZELTA Mastitis Vaccine for Dairy Cattle in European Union

Boehringer Ingelheim will launch LENZELTA, a new mastitis vaccine for dairy cattle, in several European Union countries starting April 2026.

by Sepehr Achard
14th April 2026

Meiogenix, a biotechnology company focused on epigenetics and AI-assisted precision breeding, has relocated its U.S. headquarters to Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina.

Meiogenix Appoints Jacqueline Heard to Board of Directors

Meiogenix, a biotechnology company focused on precision breeding for crop improvement, has appointed Jacqueline Heard, Ph.D., MBA to its Board of Directors.

by Sepehr Achard
14th April 2026

Happy Plant Protein to Deploy Dry Extrusion Technology at New Latvia Facility

Happy Plant Protein, a Finnish food technology company, will license its patented dry extrusion technology to a new production facility in Latvia, operated by local agricultural firm Agrofirma Lobe SIA.

by Sepehr Achard
14th April 2026

The inaugural Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition concluded with a firm restatement of the important role of innovation and entrepreneurship in strengthening the agricultural sector and empowering farmers to contribute to the UAE's sustainable food security. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event took place at the ADNEC Centre Al Ain from 28 to 31 May 2025. The event witnessed wide participation from Emirati farmers, federal and government entities in agriculture, as well as youth, academics, innovators, entrepreneurs and the community. The final day of the event featured specialised panel discussions addressing the importance of strong national and international partnerships in supporting Emirati farmers, enhancing the sustainable agriculture ecosystem in the UAE, and empowering farmers through agricultural guidance programmes. During the opening ceremony, Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director at Emirates Growth Fund Vice Chairperson at Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), emphasised that the inaugural edition of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition is a national event that recognises agriculture as a pathway to growth, a means of empowerment, and a key driver of the economy. She noted that the event is inspired by the vision of the nation's wise leadership, which regards the agricultural sector as a fundamental pillar of national security and a sustainable economy. It further underscores the importance of elevating agriculture as a national priority and a genuine economic opportunity. She said: "At the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, we are witnessing a new generation of Emiratis who do not wait for opportunities but create them. They are investing in smart agricultural technologies that will shape the future of the sector. In this spirit, the Emirates Growth Fund was established, with support from the Emirates Development Bank (EDB), to empower innovative national companies in agriculture and food security. The Fund provides flexible investments while allowing the entrepreneurs to manage their projects independently, as our role is to empower, not to control." Al Midfa emphasised that achieving lasting success relies on true collaboration among farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. This collective effort is essential for turning investments in agriculture into investments for the nation and future generations, thereby strengthening food security and advancing economic and environmental sustainability A session titled Entrepreneurship in the Agricultural Sector - Challenges and Opportunities explored key areas for boosting entrepreneurship in agriculture. During the panel discussions, participants focused on topics such as financing agricultural projects and supporting local products to improve their standing in both domestic and international markets. The panels also addressed challenges and opportunities, the importance of investing in innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, and how to turn those ideas into bankable projects. The session was moderated by Mr. Manea Ahmed Alkaabi, CEO of Emirates Beekeepers Company and Chairman of the Hatta Traders Council. The session explored mechanisms to support sustainable projects and promote investment in the agricultural sector. The speakers included Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Centre; Shaker Fareed Zainal, Chief Business Officer of the Emirates Development Bank (EDB); Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); and Dr. Fuzan Alkhalidi, Director of Programmes and Initiatives Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). They highlighted the most important challenges in financing agricultural projects. A special session was held with the winners of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award in the 'Innovation' category, celebrating their achievements, creativity, and innovations. It showcased their journey in the sector, their experiences developing their projects, the challenges they faced, and the factors that contributed to their success. The session also highlighted the lessons learned and best practices that can inspire farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector to promote innovation and sustainability. This session was presented by Eng. Noura Saeed Al Nuaimi, Lead Researcher at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, and featured insights from the winners: Eng. Hamad Musabah Al Tunaiji, Mr. Rashid Salim Al Ketbi, Mohammed Albuainain Al Mazrouei, and Hassan Juma Al Zaabi.

Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 Returns to Al Ain With Expanded Format

The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 runs April 22–26 at ADNEC Al Ain, featuring 50+ speakers, 40 panel discussions, and a new outdoor livestock space.

by Sepehr Achard
13th April 2026

U.S. horticulture operations sold $18.3Bn worth of floriculture, nursery & specialty crops in 2024, according to the latest USDA NASS census

USDA NASS Report Shows U.S. Horticulture Sales Reached $18.3 Bn in 2024

U.S. horticulture operations sold $18.3 billion worth of floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops in 2024, according to the latest USDA NASS census data.

by Sepehr Achard
13th April 2026