Key Takeaways:
- This week’s weekly AgTech Digest includes Strategic collaborations, including Silal & Bayer’s MoU and AgroLiquid’s acquisition of Monty’s Plant Food Company, focus on sustainability and efficiency.
- Funding for indoor farming rebounded in 2024, signaling increased investor confidence and sector growth.
- Product launches by BrightFarms, Syngenta, and Bolschare highlight advancements in controlled environment agriculture and sustainability.
- Funding milestones, including Terradot’s $58.2M for carbon removal and AgriRobot’s €2.5M for autonomous farming safety solutions, underscore continued investment in AgTech.
- Upcoming global events offer opportunities to explore advancements in AgTech and controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
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Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions In This Week’s Weekly AgTech Digest
Silal & Bayer Collaborate on Sustainable Agriculture
Silal and Bayer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing agricultural innovation in arid environments. The partnership will focus on digital farming solutions, vegetable seed trials, and a sustainable farming demonstration site.
AgroLiquid Acquires Monty’s Plant Food Company
The acquisition combines expertise in nutrient solutions and soil health technologies. Both companies will operate independently through 2025, with a focus on enhancing crop nutrition.
Agri Spray Drones and EAVision Partnership
Agri Spray Drones has partnered with EAVision to introduce the J100 drone in the U.S., featuring advanced lidar technology and mist nozzles for precise spraying on challenging terrains.
BioConsortia & H&T Launch FixiN 33 in New Zealand
BioConsortia and H&T have introduced FixiN 33, a microbial seed treatment designed to reduce synthetic fertilizer use. The product complies with New Zealand’s regulatory standards for gene-edited organisms.
Muddy Machines Acquires Fox Robotics Assets
Muddy Machines has acquired Fox Robotics’ intellectual property and rebranded its logistics platform as Squirrel, aimed at addressing labor challenges in horticulture through electric robotic solutions.
Indoor Farming: 2024 Reflections and 2025 Outlook
Funding for indoor farming rose from $104.6M in 2023 to $582.5M in 2024, attributed to a focus on profitability, resilience, and market consolidation.
- Key Trends: Increased investor interest in climate-driven agriculture and scalable business models.
- Notable Developments: BrightFarms opened a 1.5M sq. ft. greenhouse in Texas, supporting local food security and creating 250+ jobs.
Read the entire report here.
Advancements in AgTech
BrightFarms Launches Texas Greenhouse
BrightFarms’ new facility expands fresh produce availability in the South Central and Southwest U.S., utilizing advanced cooling systems for year-round production.
Syngenta & Enko Advance Herbicide Solutions
The collaboration has reached proof-of-concept for herbicides addressing resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth and blackgrass, using Syngenta’s ENKOMPASS platform.
Bolschare Launches Arima Platform for Sustainability Metrics
Bolschare introduced Arima, a certified tool for tracking environmental impact, including CO2 emissions, at the World Agri-Tech Summit.
BioSafe Systems Updates OxiDate 5.0 Label
California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation approved amendments for OxiDate 5.0, removing warnings regarding bee toxicity while maintaining disease control efficacy.
Funding Milestones In This Week’s Weekly AgTech Digest
Terradot Secures $58.2M for Carbon Removal Projects
Terradot received funding from major investors, including Google and Microsoft, to scale Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) projects, aiming for significant CO2 removal by 2029.
AgriRobot Raises €2.5M for Safety Software
AgriRobot’s funding will support the development of certifiable safety software for autonomous farming technologies, essential for scalability and compliance.
Fotenix Gains Investment for AI Crop Tools
Fotenix secured a six-figure investment to enhance its AI-based disease detection tools, already utilized by major UK supermarkets.
Spotlight on AgTech Innovations In This Week’s Weekly AgTech Digest
Ninjacart Launches Agri-Tech Startup Program
The program targets early-stage FoodTech and AgTech startups focusing on supply chain innovation. Eligible companies can access support and resources for growth.
EIB Group Introduces €3B Financing Package
The European Investment Bank announced a €3 billion agriculture and bioeconomy financing package to support SMEs and mid-cap companies in sustainable farming initiatives.
Cultivator Opens Applications for AgTech Accelerator
Applications for the fourth cohort of Cultivator’s AgTech Accelerator are now open, with a finale planned for July 2025 at Ag in Motion, Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo.
Upcoming AgTech Events
- 2nd International Conference on CEA | Feb 25, 2025 | Plymouth, UK
- World Agri-Tech San Francisco | March 2025
- Indoor Ag-Con | March 11–12, 2025 | Las Vegas, USA
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