Innovafeed, IGS, Pivot Bio, Carbon Robotics, CropX, Nutrien, Reinke, crop.zone, Zespri, Oishii, Tortuga AgTech, Plenty, GreenLight Biosciences, Moa Technology, NAICONS, HypeSound, Koppert, REKA Group

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural technology.This week, the 20 25 GreenTech Rankings highlight top innovators in sustainable farming, while a new R&D facility in Illinois advances real-world agronomic solutions. In precision irrigation, a smart management platform enhances farm data insights. Electric weed control expands in the U.S., and a major kiwi producer drives sustainability and growth. Meanwhile, a robotic harvesting acquisition boosts indoor farming, and a vertical farm restructures for stability. In plant science, RNA-based crop protection, bio-herbicide discoveries, and sound-enhanced microbial tech push innovation forward. Let’s dive in!

Anna: 00:51

Precision agriculture and digital farming continue to evolve with exciting innovations and expansions. The 2025 GreenTech Rankings have been unveiled, with TIME and Statista recognizing 250 top global GreenTech firms based on innovation, financial strength, and environmental impact. Notable AgTech leaders featured in this ranking include Innovafeed, IGS, Pivot Bio , Carbon Robotics, and CropX. Meanwhile, Nutrien’s Illinois Innovation Farm has opened a new R&D facility at the Champaign Innovation Farm, supporting full-acre agronomic research. Since November 2023, the site has hosted over 18 events, with a 16-person team focused on real-world grower solutions. Emphasizing the synergy between inputs, digital tools, and equipment, the facility aims to drive innovation in agricultural research. In precision irrigation, Reinke has launched ReinCloud 3, a new platform designed for precision irrigation and farm data management. It features an updated UI, smart dashboard, telemetry, and layer mapping, providing advanced tools for growers. ReinCloud 3 is compatible with RC3 and will come pre-installed on upcoming E3 pivots. The platform is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Additionally, crop zone is bringing its electric weed control technology to the U.S. in partnership with Big Iron Equipment. Targeting crops like potatoes, this expansion promotes electric desiccation as a herbicide-free solution. With a strong focus on improving service for Midwest growers. These advancements highlight the continued evolution of AgTech, driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across the global agricultural landscape.

Anna: 02:36

This week’s interview highlights Zespri’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in kiwi fruit farming. Through its ZAG Innovation Fund, the company is actively connecting with global startups and researchers to tackle industry challenges. With a strong focus on sustainability, productivity, and climate resilience, Zespri aims to support growers while ensuring long-term profitability. Its strategy integrates collaborations with growers, technology startups, and research institutes to drive advancements in kiwi fruit production. The fresh fruit industry, particularly kiwi fruit, presents significant growth potential, and Zespri is on track to surpass its longstanding global revenue target of 4 point 5 billion dollars by 2025. Jiunn Shih underscores the importance of balancing profitability with social and environmental responsibility, emphasizing that businesses must create long-term value through sustainable practices.

Anna: 03:33

Controlled environment agriculture is experiencing both expansion and financial challenges this week. Oishii has acquired Tortuga AgTech’s robotics IP, including AI models, robotics software, and hardware, to integrate robotic harvesting at its Jersey City strawberry farm. With plans to deploy 50 robots, this move strengthens Oishii’s push toward automated indoor farming, enhancing efficiency and scalability. Meanwhile, Plenty has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to restructure its liabilities. The company aims to reduce costs, stabilize finances, and preserve operations while securing $20.7 million in debtor-in-possession financing to support its facilities. Despite financial restructuring, Plenty’s core vertical farming assets will remain operational, with efforts focused on ensuring long-term viability in the controlled environment agriculture sector.

Anna: 04:31

Crop protection and plant science are advancing with key innovations and funding this week. GreenLight Biosciences has raised 25 million dollars in a Series C extension from impact investor Just Climate to support the commercialization of its RNA-based crop protection spray, Calantha, RNA solution for varroa mites in honeybees, Norroa, and a new adjuvant, Fortivance, aimed at reducing environmental impact. The company focuses on providing alternatives to chemical pesticides while promoting pollinator health and biodiversity. Meanwhile, Moa Technology has partnered with NAICONS to develop biological herbicides using NAICONS’ 70,000+ microbial extract library, leveraging high-throughput screening to discover effective compounds. This collaboration aims to combat herbicide resistance, which affects over 273 weed species globally, with Moa securing exclusive development rights and a revenue-sharing model for commercialization. In another development, HypeSound has raised 1.2 million Euros in a pre-seed round to expand its So'Sweep platform, using low-frequency sound waves to enhance the performance of algae, yeast, and bacteria. The company plans to grow its R&D team, open a lab in Perugia, Italy, and explore broader bioproduction applications. Finally, Koppert is transferring its biostimulant portfolio to REKA Group, which will manage production, R&D, logistics, compliance, and sales by 2025. While Koppert subsidiaries continue distribution, REKA will expand the global reach of biostimulants and fertilizers, with a strategic partnership with Orion supporting biological applications in Europe, and field trials already underway in France, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Anna: 06:17

In other news, significant developments have emerged in the sustainability and agriculture sectors. Sienna IM has provided a 2 million euros sustainability-linked loan to GreenPods for its La Esperanza farm project, which will support the planting of almond and olive trees, alongside efforts in soil and ecosystem restoration. Meanwhile, Goumbook, a MENAT-based social enterprise dedicated to sustainability, has announced the 20 semi-finalists selected for the 2025 MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme, an initiative delivered in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank, HSBC Bank Middle East, the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food, and the Climate Champions Team. Additionally, CE-LINE and Eurofins Agro Testing have partnered to combine real-time nutrient data with broader lab analyses, offering horticulture growers faster access to critical diagnostic data. Lastly, Benson Hill Inc , a seed innovation company, has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved its initial first-day motions following the company’s voluntary filing for Chapter 11 under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on March 20, 2025.

Anna: 07:27

Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for the 2-Day Plant Empowerment Workshop on May 6th to 7th, 2025, in the UK, followed by the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Entomology from May 19th to 21st. Then, join us at the Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture Europe, before heading to the Commercial UAV Expo from September 2nd to 4th, 2025, in Las Vegas, USA. Don't miss the Taiwan Smart Agriweek from September 3rd to 5th in Taiwan, and the Global Vertical Farming Show on September 10th to 11th, in Dubai, UAE. Finally, wrap up the month with SPACE from September 16th-18th, 2025, in France.

Anna: 08:13

That wraps up today's episode of AgTech Digest. We explored the latest developments in agricultural technology, from advancements in vertical farming and robotic harvesting to innovative crop protection solutions and sustainable farming practices. From Oishii's acquisition of robotics IP to GreenLight Biosciences' funding for RNA-based crop protection, it's clear that the sector is embracing new technologies to increase efficiency, enhance sustainability, and tackle key industry challenges. With companies pushing the envelope on automated indoor farming, herbicide alternatives, and ecosystem restoration, the future of agriculture is looking more innovative and resilient than ever before. Thanks for joining me, I'm Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.