This week in agriculture technology saw significant announcements, including Corteva’s decision to split into two organizations and new funding rounds across robotics, plant science, and indoor farming. The updates reflect growing momentum in innovation, investment, and partnerships shaping the future of global food systems.
Key Takeaways
- Corteva will divide into two companies by late 2026, focusing separately on crop protection and seed innovation.
- YLI’s H.A.R.V.E.S.T. accelerator launched with new regional and international partnerships.
- Funding rounds included €1.8M for Terra Robotics, $7.5M for Aydi’s AI agronomy tool, AUD 30M for SwarmFarm Robotics, and $4.7M for Helios AI.
- Plant science advances came from Cibus’ HT2 Canola trials and NRGene’s ToBRFV-resistant tomato seeds.
- CEA developments included Greeneration’s UAE partnership, Burro’s fleet expansion in the U.S., and Area 2 Farms’ $9M raise.
Corteva to Separate Crop Protection and Seed Divisions
Corteva announced it will split into two independent companies by late 2026. “New Corteva” will focus on crop protection and biologicals, projecting $7.8 billion in 2025 sales, while “SpinCo” will concentrate on seed innovation, targeting $9.9 billion. The move aims to sharpen focus on innovation pipelines and customer needs.
New Platforms and Accelerators
The Yield Lab Institute introduced H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, designed to accelerate startups with research, funding, and ecosystem connections. The program expands on previous initiatives such as the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator and now spans 12 U.S. regions, with international partners in Argentina and the UK.
Funding Momentum Across Robotics and AI
Several startups secured major rounds this week:
- Terra Robotics raised €1.8M to scale its laser weeding system.
- Aydi secured $7.5M to launch Orth, an AI-driven agronomy assistant.
- SwarmFarm Robotics closed AUD 30M to expand its autonomous “SwarmBots” in North America.
- Helios AI raised $4.7M for its supply chain analytics platform, covering 75+ commodities.
Plant Science and Agribusiness Updates
In plant science, Cibus reported successful U.S. field trials of its second-generation HT2 Canola, while NRGene launched commercial tomato seeds resistant to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus. In agribusiness, WisdomTree completed a $275M acquisition of farmland investor Ceres Partners, marking its entry into private markets.
CEA and Food Security Initiatives
Controlled-environment agriculture also featured prominently:
- Greeneration, a Dubai-based vertical farm, partnered with Harvest IQ to improve UAE food security.
- Burro expanded its autonomous fleet at Petitti Family Farms in Ohio.
- Area 2 Farms raised $9M to expand its urban farm network in the U.S.
Additionally, Silal and Limagrain launched a crop resilience research hub in Al Ain, UAE, to focus on heat, drought, and salinity resistance.
Capital Flows in 2025: Dashboard Insights
The iGrow Dashboard shows Plant Science ($235M), Precision Agriculture ($191M), Vertical Farming ($139M), and Livestock ($185M) among the top categories for investor capital this year. Larger rounds from companies like Chestnut Carbon ($250M), Halter ($100M), and Inari ($144M) highlight consolidation around scalable solutions.
Interested in discovering more, connect with us to discover the dashboard!
Other Updates
Additional news this week included:
- Evfarmer committing $40M to Sierra Leone’s agriculture.
- Verra’s verification of the AgreenaCarbon project, issuing 2.3M carbon credits.
- KhetiBuddy’s rebrand to Verdnt, signaling expanded global ambitions.
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