GigaCrop, Germains Seed Technology, BCF Life Sciences, IN10T, BioLumic, Jord BioScience, SABIC Agri-Nutrients ADM PetroVietnam Ca Mau Fertilizer Google Syngenta Topcon Agriculture Connecterra xFarm Technologies Agros

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural innovation. Today, we’re diving into cutting-edge breakthroughs in plant science, crop protection, and precision agriculture. A biotech firm has secured $4.5 to enhance photosynthesis efficiency, potentially doubling crop yields, while a newly patented soil regeneration solution promises improved microbial health and sustainability. Light-activated seed treatments are also making waves, with field trials showing promising results for enhanced crop resilience. In crop protection, a biological insecticide has received regulatory approval, and a nitrogen-fixing microbial solution is set to expand sustainable nutrient management. Meanwhile, precision agriculture is advancing with satellite-driven crop monitoring, AI-powered dairy insights, and an ambitious regenerative farming initiative backed by a major tech firm. A solar irrigation startup is scaling efforts to support smallholder farmers, while new digital tools are enhancing supply chain transparency and farm management. With so many exciting developments on the horizon, let’s jump in!

Anna: 01:12

Plant science is undergoing a revolutionary shift, with groundbreaking advancements in photosynthesis enhancement, soil regeneration, and genetic trait activation. Leading the charge, GigaCrop has secured $4.5 in pre-seed funding, led by Playground Global, to accelerate its machine learning-driven enzyme engineering technology. By bypassing Rubisco’s limitations, this innovation optimizes how plants convert sunlight into energy, potentially doubling crop yields. Meanwhile, soil regeneration is also seeing major progress. BCF Life Sciences has patented LEAFAMINE, a free amino acid-based solution designed to restore soil health, enhance microbial activity, and reduce the carbon footprint. After three years of rigorous field trials. In addition to these developments, BioLumic is pioneering a light-based genetic enhancement with its Trait Activation System. This cutting-edge approach utilizes UV light to improve seed genetics, enhancing growth, vigor, and resilience. Currently, the xTrait platform is being deployed at Gro Alliance’s seed facility in Wisconsin, and field trials have already shown strong yield gains. Looking ahead, commercial hybrid traits activated by this system are expected to be available by 2026. Together, these innovations mark a new era in plant science, unlocking higher yields, healthier soils, and more resilient crops, all of which are crucial for the future of sustainable agriculture.

Anna: 02:50

This week’s interview highlights a major player in microbial innovation—Jord BioScience. Founded by Dr. Linda Kinkel, the company is transforming microbial product performance through a B2B partnership model. With over three decades of research, Jord BioScience has built a proprietary microbial bank containing more than 6,500 isolates, allowing it to enhance agricultural outcomes. One of the biggest challenges in microbial solutions is performance consistency, and Jord BioScience is tackling this issue head-on. By refining microbial interactions, the company has significantly improved field trial success rates, boosting them from 55 to 60 percent to an impressive 85 to 95percent. Additionally, its groundbreaking work in Pythium control has shown results that are comparable to—or even surpass—leading chemical treatments. However, scaling microbial solutions comes with its own set of hurdles. Regulatory landscapes vary across regions, making market entry complex. To navigate these challenges, Jord BioScience has developed a strategy that ensures its products deliver consistent performance across diverse growing conditions. Looking ahead, the company is setting its sights on global expansion. By 2030, multiple Jord BioScience products are expected to enter the market, driving innovation in both row crops and specialty crops. With its cutting-edge microbial solutions, the company is poised to make a lasting impact on sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Anna: 04:35

Crop Protection: Advancing Sustainable Pest & Nutrient ManagementThe agricultural industry continues to push the boundaries of sustainable crop protection with innovative biological solutions and strategic partnerships. Several key developments this week highlight the growing shift toward eco-friendly alternatives in pest and nutrient management. Bioceres Crop Solutions has secured EPA approval for Rinotec, a biological insecticide and nematicide designed as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. This milestone allows the company to expand Rinotec’s availability across the U.S., strengthening its biological pest control portfolio. Meanwhile, Pivot Bio has introduced PROVEN G3, an advanced nitrogen-fixing microbial solution for corn. Building on its PROVEN 40 technology, this new product is currently undergoing large-scale farmer demonstrations at over 300 locations across the U.S., with full commercial availability expected by 2026. SOLASTA Bio is making strides in bioinsecticides, securing a patent for its peptide-based technology that targets insect neuropeptides. This breakthrough not only strengthens SOLASTA Bio’s intellectual property position but also provides a pest control solution that minimizes harm to pollinators. On the biofungicide front, Biotalys has reported positive field trial results for BioFun-6, a protein-based biofungicide developed using its AGROBODY platform. Trials in grapes (Botrytis) and cucumbers/tomatoes (powdery mildew) showed effective disease control at lower application rates compared to standard treatments. FA Bio is also expanding its presence in microbial crop protection, announcing a partnership with IFF to license microbial strains for biofungicide and biostimulant development. The company’s Microbial Library Collection, built through extensive soil sampling, plays a crucial role in these advancements. In nutrient management, BiOWiSH Crop Liquid continues to gain traction, having now been applied to over 10 million acres.Third-party evaluations reported an 86 percent success rate and an average yield increase of 7.7%. BiOWiSH collaborates with SABIC Agri-Nutrients, Syngenta MAP, ADM, and PetroVietnam Ca Mau Fertilizer to expand its reach. With regulatory approvals, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge biological solutions, the future of crop protection is shifting toward sustainability, improving both environmental impact and agricultural productivity.

Anna: 07:24

Precision Agriculture: Transforming Farming with Data-Driven InnovationsA wave of advancements in precision agriculture is reshaping farming through data-driven solutions, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge technology. Indigo Ag and Google are collaborating to promote regenerative farming in Oklahoma, focusing on water conservation and soil health. Google has committed $1.5 million to support sustainable agricultural practices, with the project set to run from 2025 to 2032, impacting thousands of acres. Meanwhile, Syngenta has integrated Planet Labs’ satellite data into its Cropwise platform, providing farmers with 3-meter resolution imagery and near daily updates to enhance crop monitoring and field management. In the dairy sector, Topcon Agriculture and Connecterra are improving herd management efficiency by combining operational and feeding data. Dairy farmers can now track crucial metrics like Dry Matter Intake, milk weight, total solids, and Energy-Corrected Milk. As part of its broader initiative, Topcon has also joined the International Committee for Animal Recording to set data standards for group feeding. Expanding its reach, xFarm Technologies has entered the Brazilian market in partnership with Checkplant to strengthen digital agriculture solutions. Their integration of xFarm and Farmbox platforms will provide farmers with advanced decision support, agronomic modeling, and supply chain transparency. In sustainable irrigation, Agros secured $4.25 million in funding from Gaia Impact, Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia, and Wavemaker Impact, with additional backing from the Global Innovation Fund . Having already helped 6,000 smallholder farmers transition to solar irrigation, Agros now aims to partner with 30,000 farmers, increase collective incomes by 40 million dollars, and prevent 1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2027. At Agrinnovation 2025, Gloviewer showcased its satellite-based tools** for **precision agriculture and supply chain monitoring. The company launched Gloviewer Trace, an EUDR compliance and emissions tracking tool, and Gloviewer Grow, a farm management platform that integrates remote sensing, data analytics, and IoT technology. With a growing presence in Indonesia, Gloviewer is driving the adoption of smart agriculture. Finally, Picketa Systems expanded its LENS Platform to include canola, following extensive field trials across North and South America. Saskatchewan's canola farmers have shown early interest, with backing from angel investors Jesse Wiebe and Chris Nykolaishen. Additionally, Cargill is piloting LENS technology at its Camrose, Alberta facility to explore its role in nutrient management and fertilizer efficiency. These advancements underscore the rapid evolution of precision agriculture, leveraging data and technology to optimize crop health, resource efficiency, and sustainability on a global scale.

Anna: 10:45

AgTech Innovations Driving AI, Genetics, and Sustainability ForwardExciting advancements in agricultural technology are reshaping the industry. Source.ag has launched three new AI product tiers, enhancing decision-making, operational integration, and overall efficiency for vegetable growers worldwide. Meanwhile, LettUs Grow and KG Systems have partnered to expand access to Advanced Aeroponics technology, aiming to boost efficiency and yields in both greenhouse and vertical farming. In genetics, Verinomics has unveiled its Genesis and Genova platforms for specialty crop development, securing 13 million dollars to advance genomics-driven breeding and transgene-free editing research. Similarly, Ohalo has launched the Strawberry Consortium, collaborating with industry leaders to develop true-seed strawberry varieties that improve flavor, sustainability, and economic viability through a proprietary hybrid breeding system. Sustainability remains a key focus, with Zespri reaffirming a 2 million dollars investment in ZAG, prioritizing climate resilience solutions in agriculture. The initiative has received over 100 submissions from more than 15 countries, emphasizing global collaboration. Additionally, CIBO Technologies has introduced an open platform to streamline integration with third-party carbon and ecosystem service models, simplifying data collection and reporting for sustainability initiatives. On the emissions reduction front, Rumin8 has made a groundbreaking impact, with its veterinary product achieving a 95 point 2 percent reduction in methane emissions from cattle, showcasing its potential in mitigating environmental impact and supporting climate goals. These cutting-edge developments highlight how AI, genetics, and sustainability initiatives are transforming the future of agriculture.

Anna: 12:50

Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for the 2-Day Plant Empowerment Workshop in the UK from May 6 to 7, 2025, offering insights into optimizing plant growth. The second International Electronic Conference on Entomology follows from May 19 to 21, 2025, focusing on the latest advancements in insect science. For those in agribusiness, Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture Europe 2025 will provide key discussions on food systems innovation. Meanwhile, technology-driven agriculture will take center stage at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, USA, from September 2 to 4, 2025, highlighting drone applications in farming. In Asia, Taiwan Smart Agriweek runs from September 3 to 5, 2025, showcasing smart farming solutions, while the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 in Dubai, UAE, on September 10 to 11, 2025, will spotlight controlled environment agriculture. Finally, livestock and dairy professionals can look forward to SPACE in France from September 16 to 18, 2025, a major event for animal production.These events present valuable opportunities for industry professionals to explore cutting-edge innovations in agriculture and technology.

Anna: 14:18

That wraps up today's episode of AgTech Digest. We explored the latest advancements in agricultural technology, from Jord BioScience’s breakthrough microbial solutions to Bioceres Crop Solutions' EPA-approved Rinotec, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Innovations in precision agriculture are also making waves, with Indigo Ag and Google partnering to promote regenerative farming, while Syngenta integrates Planet Labs’ satellite data into Cropwise, enhancing decision-making for farmers. Meanwhile, Agros secured 4 point 25 million dollars to expand solar irrigation, supporting sustainable water solutions for smallholder farmers. With a strong focus on sustainability, microbial solutions, and AI-powered precision tools, the agtech sector is rapidly evolving to meet the challenges of modern farming. Thanks for joining me, I'm Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!