Vestaron, Novo Holdings, KKR, Sylvan, ADAMA, Twist Bioscience, Curio Genomics, AdvancedAg, FMC, Bayer, Syngenta, KUBTEC, Pro Farm Group, Zone AgTech, Axceta, EarthOptics, Farmblox, Eion, Carbon Robotics, Tidal Grow AgriScience, Tidal Vision. - This Week in AgTech

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural technology. In today’s episode, we’re exploring groundbreaking innovations in crop protection, precision agriculture, and digital farming. Advances in biocontrol and sustainable pest management are gaining momentum, with new peptide-based insecticides and fungal biotech investments driving eco-friendly solutions. Precision Ag is also evolving rapidly, with new partnerships enhancing digital tools and automation in farming. Autonomous tractors, soil health platforms, and AI-powered greenhouse technologies are redefining efficiency and sustainability. Plus, we’ll take a deep dive into cutting-edge developments in carbon monitoring and chitosan-based crop inputs. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Anna: 00:53

The field of crop protection and plant science is advancing rapidly this week with major investments, regulatory approvals, and groundbreaking innovations across multiple sectors. Vestaron has raised $20 million to scale its peptide-based bioinsecticides, accelerating expansion into key markets and strengthening R&D efforts. The company remains focused on combating pest resistance and promoting sustainable tomato production while continuing to develop novel peptide-based alternatives to chemical insecticides. Meanwhile, Novo Holdings & KKR have made a historic move in fungal biotechnology, marking Novo’s largest Planetary Health investment in Asia and its first in the fungal biotech sector. Their investment in Sylvan will support expanding production capacity, modernizing research infrastructure, and improving market access throughout Asia. On the regulatory front, ADAMA has received EU approval for Feralla Molluscicide, officially designated as a low-risk active substance by regulators. This approval will allow ADAMA to launch Feralla-based products across multiple countries, beginning with the United Kingdom. Feralla stands out with its rapid action against mollusks, long-lasting performance, and improved bait durability, ensuring better protection for farmers. In the realm of agricultural genomics, Twist Bioscience & Curio Genomics have formed a strategic partnership to facilitate the transition from microarrays to nextgeneration sequencing. This collaboration combines Twist's FlexPrep ultra-high throughput library prep kits with Curio's CURIO bioinformatics platform, providing advanced solutions for trait discovery, breeding, and genetic selection. At the same time, AdvancedAg, a biologicals company based in Alberta, Canada, has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Raven Indigenous Capital. The funding will be used to scale research operations, advance intellectual property development, and expand across North American markets. AdvancedAg’s mission aligns with the broader goal of maintaining farm profitability while enhancing sustainability and reducing chemical reliance. In the weed management sector, FMC & Bayer have partnered to expand Isoflex Active in Europe. This Group 13 herbicide has demonstrated efficacy in cereal, pulse, and oilseed rape crops, making it a critical tool against herbicide-resistant weeds. This partnership will provide European growers with broader access to effective herbicide options. Meanwhile, Syngenta has signed a fiveyear distribution deal with Agrauxine (Lesaffre), securing exclusive U.S. rights to two biological crop protection products: STROVEQ and SPREXIMA. Under the agreement, Syngenta will private label and distribute these products through its existing U.S. channels, reinforcing its biological crop protection portfolio. On the technology front, KUBTEC has introduced its new XSEED systems for non-invasive seed analysis, offering internal seed imaging without cutting or staining. The product line includes XSEED mini, XSEED mid-range, and XSEED Plus, designed to deliver consistent, repeatable, and fast agricultural testing. Finally, Pro Farm Group has launched ARINO, an in-furrow insecticide nematicide specifically designed for potatoes, onions, and other tuber crops. This innovative solution leverages RinoTec biocontrol technology to disrupt root-feeding pests. ARINO has already been approved by the U.S. EPA and is set to be deployed in on-farm demonstrations for the 2025 growing season. With major investments, regulatory approvals, and cutting-edge innovations, this week’s developments underscore the continued momentum in sustainable agriculture, biocontrol, and crop protection.

Anna: 04:42

This week’s editorial focuses on indoor strawberry farming, which has emerged as a highly discussed opportunity in controlled environment agriculture . Driven by strong consumer demand for year-round fruit, food security concerns, and advancements in agtech, this edition presents a comprehensive feasibility study. The study, drawing from expert interviews and industry research, aims to answer one critical question: Can strawberries be grown indoors profitably?

Anna: 05:12

Precision Ag & Digital Farming saw key developments this week, with several exciting initiatives advancing smart agriculture and sustainability. First, Zone AgTech, Bayer Crop Science, and Axceta have formed a precision Ag consortium in Canada, aiming to scale smart agriculture and greenhouse technologies in Quebec and across the country. Bayer’s HortiView platform will serve as the core technology, focusing on advancing IoT-based tools, promoting digital ag adoption, and supporting innovation ecosystems within Quebec’s agtech sector. In addition, EarthOptics has launched the Total Farm subscription platform, offering a $4/per acre subscription for the 2025 crop season. This platform combines high-resolution soil data with crop planning insights in a unified platform. The subscription includes soil fertility mapping, biological soil health assessments, and sampling, lab analysis, and interpretation, all aimed at improving input efficiency and optimizing profitability per acre. Furthermore, Farmblox and Eion introduced a carbon monitoring initiative using Enhanced Rock Weathering across 10,000-plus acres in Virginia, integrating soil CO₂, moisture, and weather data to quantify ERW impacts. The initiative focuses on measuring carbon removal efficacy, verifying CO₂ sequestration, and monitoring soil health improvements linked to ERW. Lastly, Carbon Robotics debuted its AutoTractor, designed to simplify daily farming tasks with real-world functionality. The system includes an Autonomy Kit for retrofitting, a Remote Operations Control Center, and is compatible with John Deere 6R and 8R Series tractors, offering a pay-per-hour pricing model to reduce investment hurdles and address challenges like supervision complexity and workday disruptions.

Anna: 07:01

This week’s interview highlights Tidal Grow AgriScience’s use of chitosan-based solutions to enhance crop protection. Its parent company, Tidal Vision, also uses chitosan-based solutions in the water treatment and material science industries. The company’s green chemistry innovations offer supplements to traditional pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals. Sustainability and profitability are central to Tidal Grow’s approach, ensuring that farmers can adopt regenerative solutions without sacrificing economic viability. Tidal Vision, the parent company, Tidal Grow AgriScience has developed a zero-waste, environmentally friendly chitosan manufacturing process, positioning Tidal Grow as a leader in bio-based agricultural solutions. Regulatory challenges remain a hurdle, but Tidal Grow has achieved key milestones, including an EPA Safe Chemistry Award and 25(b) exemption for its biopesticides. Tidal Vision, Tidal Grow’s parent company, earned this award with a chitosan-based solution, which is the same active ingredient used in Tidal Grow’s agricultural solutions.

Anna: 08:09

In other news this week, several key industry moves have been made with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and startup collaboration. First, EcoAct and MyEasyFarm have partnered to offer a platform for measuring, reporting, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agri-food supply chains. Additionally, Grodan, in partnership with Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, is conducting a multi-partner trial focusing on energy-efficient tomato cultivation. The trial aims to reduce heat input by 50%, using Grodan's stone wool substrates for precise irrigation, spectral dimming, advanced screening, and vertical temperature monitoring. Furthermore, Nasekomo, a biotechnology company, has achieved a 25% feed conversion ratio for its Automated Insect Rearing Beds and Bots platform, a significant improvement over traditional crate-based systems. The platform has a modular design for industrial application, capable of processing 16,000 tons of feed annually. Finally, Yanmar Ventures has become an official Investor Partner of StartLife, a leading agrifood startup accelerator in Wageningen, Netherlands. The collaboration will offer funding, strategic mentorship, and access to industry networks for emerging startups.

Anna: 09:26

Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for the 2-Day Plant Empowerment Workshop from May 6th to 7th, 2025 in the UK, followed by the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Entomology from May 19th to 21st. Then, Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture Europe 2025 will be another significant gathering. Also don’t miss the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, USA from September 2nd to 4th. Taiwan Smart Agriweek will take place from September 3rd to 5th in Taiwan, and the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 is set for September 10th to 11th in Dubai, UAE. Lastly, SPACE will be held from September 16th to 18th, 2025 in France.

Anna: 10:11

That wraps up today’s episode of Agtech Digest. We’ve covered the latest breakthroughs in plant science, biocontrol, and crop protection, highlighting significant funding rounds, regulatory approvals, and exciting advancements in sustainable farming solutions. From innovations in peptide-based bioinsecticides and biological crop protection to cutting-edge technologies in precision agriculture and soil health, the agtech sector is advancing with a strong focus on enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Partnerships are driving these innovations forward, helping to shape a future where agriculture is smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient. With these key developments, the industry continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the agricultural landscape. Thanks for joining me, I’m Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible!