Bonsai Robotics, AISPRID, Avisomo, Voltiris, Acadian Plant Health, Koppert, Innovafeed, Agryco, Axitan Limited, QualiTech, CH4 Global, Forever Feed Technologies, Agrology, Heritable Agriculture, ArborGen - This Week in AgTech

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural innovation. Today, we're covering major funding rounds fueling AI-driven automation in orchards, greenhouses, and vertical farming, plus new advancements in solar-powered agriculture. We'll explore key greenhouse crop trends for 2025, from high-efficiency tomatoes to emerging favorites like microgreens and tree seedlings. Strategic partnerships are expanding sustainable fertilizer distribution and antibiotic-free feed solutions, while groundbreaking new facilities are set to revolutionize livestock emissions and carbon monitoring. There's a lot to cover, so let's dive in!

Anna: 00:45

Major investments are fueling advancements in AgTech this week, spanning AI-powered orchard management, autonomous greenhouse robotics, vertical farming, and solar-powered greenhouses. Bonsai Robotics secured $15 million in Series A funding, led by Bison Ventures, to expand its AI-driven automation technology. The investment will enhance the company’s Visionsteer platform, improve data processing capabilities, and accelerate automation adoption in orchard management. Currently deployed in over forty tree nut orchards across the U.S. and Australia, Bonsai Robotics’ autonomous tools are designed to cut costs, boost yields, and deliver actionable insights for growers. Meanwhile, AISPRID, a French AgriTech startup, raised $10.9 million in Series A funding to scale its AI-powered leaf removal robots for greenhouse tomato production. The company is tackling labor shortages with its autonomous systems, improving operational efficiency. Looking ahead, AISPRID’s 2025 model will introduce autonomous row-switching, increased capacity, and enhanced cutting precision. The funding will also support expanded production and global commercialization. Turning to vertical farming, Avisomo secured $5.45 million , including a $1.74 million grant from Innovation Norway, to advance its modular vertical farming technology. Designed to reduce water consumption and food waste, Avisomo’s system enables local, year-round food production. The new investment will help the company scale operations, expand internationally, and continue developing its technology. On the sustainable energy front, Voltiris raised $5.26 million, co-led by EquityPitcher Ventures and 3M Ventures, to bring solar energy solutions to greenhouses. Their spectral filtering technology optimizes light use, improving both energy efficiency and crop resilience—particularly for tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. With this funding, Voltiris is set to expand its teams in Switzerland and the Netherlands, with a focus on agronomy, solar project development, and sales. These investments highlight AgTech’s growing momentum, driving AI automation, sustainable farming, and energy-efficient solutions—paving the way for a smarter, more resilient agricultural future.

Anna: 03:07

Greenhouse cultivation is evolving rapidly, with key crops maintaining dominance while new varieties gain traction. Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and lettuce continue to lead the sector, driven by innovations in breeding and production techniques. Tomatoes remain a top choice, with growers prioritizing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and parthenocarpic varieties that eliminate the need for pollination. The focus is on compact plant habits, improved flavor, and enhanced texture. Meanwhile, cucumber production is shifting toward high-yielding hybrids with better disease resistance and superior eating quality. Eggplants are gaining ground, particularly in specialty markets, thanks to compact growth habits and a wider range of colors. As for lettuce, the industry is pushing for downy mildew-resistant varieties, vibrant lettuce mixes, and highly efficient types suited for hydroponic systems in low- and mid-tech greenhouses. Beyond these staples, new greenhouse crop trends are emerging. Radishes are becoming more popular due to their quick turnaround, diverse colors, and adaptability to hydroponic systems. Peppers are also on the rise, with growers seeking more color and heat level diversity, alongside disease-resistant cultivars and an increasing demand for specialty hot peppers. The microgreens and herbs market is expanding, thanks to year-round production capabilities, a wider variety of mixes, and their integration into vertical farming systems. Berries are also benefiting from advancements in substrate culture, vertical growing systems, and ever-bearing varieties, boosting overall efficiency. Lastly, tree seedlings are becoming a priority, with modernization efforts helping address climate adaptation challenges, rising demand, and labor shortages in forestry and agriculture. With these shifts, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for greenhouse farming, as growers balance efficiency, sustainability, and market demand.

Anna: 05:05

Major collaborations are reshaping the agricultural sector, with companies joining forces to enhance fertilizer distribution, pest control, and antibiotic-free livestock feed. Acadian Plant Health and Koppert are expanding their partnership to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), integrating biological pest control with biostimulant technology. This collaboration aims to protect crops from pests and diseases, improve yields and quality, and support long-term soil and plant health, offering sustainable solutions to growers across these regions. Meanwhile, Innovafeed and Agryco have teamed up to scale the global distribution of Hilucia Frass, an organic fertilizer derived from insect farming byproducts. By leveraging Agryco’s digital platform, this partnership ensures that farmers have centralized access to organic input suppliers, enhancing soil health and crop productivity. In the livestock sector, Axitan Limited and QualiTech have entered into a North American partnership to accelerate the adoption of antibiotic-free feed additives using Axitan’s FORC3 endolysin-based technology. As part of the agreement, QualiTech becomes the exclusive distributor for FORC3 in swine, ruminants, and non-broiler poultry, while Axitan retains control over the broiler segment. The collaboration also focuses on developing new endolysin-based solutions to improve livestock health. These strategic alliances mark a shift towards sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, addressing key challenges in crop protection, soil health, and livestock nutrition.

Anna: 06:42

Exciting innovations are shaping the future of agriculture, with new facilities, programs, and AI-powered advancements making waves across the industry. CH4 Global has opened the world’s first commercial-scale Asparagopsis production facility in Louth Bay, South Australia, designed to cut methane emissions from livestock. The EcoPark uses a cost-effective pond-based system, reducing production costs by up to 90%. Its initial phase includes 10 cultivation ponds (2 million liters each), producing 80+ metric tons of Asparagopsis annually. Future expansion could scale to 500 ponds, making methane-reducing feed supplements more widely available. Meanwhile, Forever Feed Technologies (FFT) has launched an Innovation Center in Hanford, California, pioneering Automated Sprouted Grain (FFT-ASG) technology for sustainable livestock feed. This first-of-its-kind facility enables daily production of high-quality, water-efficient feed, using significantly less water than traditional alfalfa. Plans are already in motion for a commercial-scale feed mill in 2025, capable of producing 50 tons per day, supporting over 2,500 dairy cows. In the carbon monitoring space, Agrology has introduced the first scalable Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) Measurement System, validated across six U.S. sites. This affordable, field-based carbon monitoring solution measures soil CO₂ flux, carbon concentration gradients, and environmental conditions. Using machine learning models, it improves accuracy in carbon sequestration programs. The system is currently in beta testing in the U.S., with an international rollout set for spring 2025. Additionally, Heritable Agriculture is revolutionizing plant breeding through AI-driven predictive models and gene editing. By integrating multi-omics data and precision gene editing, the company enhances disease resistance and yield while reducing crop improvement costs and accelerating breeding cycles. A key partnership with ArborGen focuses on improving loblolly pine tree breeding for commercial forestry. These groundbreaking developments highlight the power of AgTech in tackling sustainability, efficiency, and climate challenges, paving the way for a more resilient agricultural future.

Anna: 09:04

In AgTech News, a major antitrust lawsuit involving Syngenta and Corteva is advancing in a U.S. federal court in North Carolina, as a judge ruled that farmers from multiple states can proceed with parts of their class-action case. The lawsuit accuses the companies of using loyalty programs to suppress competition and inflate pesticide prices. Farmers from California, Illinois, Florida, Texas, and five other states have been granted the ability to pursue claims under federal and state laws. While the court dismissed a federal antitrust damages claim, several state law claims remain intact, meaning farmers may still be eligible for compensation. Despite these legal proceedings, both Syngenta and Corteva deny the allegations. The case marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of pricing and competition practices within the agricultural industry.

Anna: 09:58

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 2nd International Conference on CEA in Plymouth, UK, on February 25th 2025. Following that, World Agri-Tech San Francisco 2025 promises to be a key industry gathering. Shortly after, the Indoor Ag Con will take place in Las Vegas, USA, from March 11th to 12th. Finally, don’t miss VIV Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 12th to 14th, 2025 a must-attend event for the global agriculture community.

Anna: 10:29

That wraps up today’s episode of AgTech Digest. We covered the latest trends in AgTech, from groundbreaking investments in robotics and automation to exciting new greenhouse crop innovations. Strategic partnerships are helping drive forward sustainable solutions, while cutting-edge facilities and programs are setting the stage for the future of farming. Meanwhile, the agricultural tech sector continues to break new ground with developments in methane-reducing feed and carbon flux monitoring systems. With all this momentum, it's clear the industry is advancing toward more efficient, sustainable practices. Thanks for joining me, I’m Anna, signing off. Stay curious and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!