Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we’re exploring exciting advancements in AgTech, from cutting-edge biocontrol solutions and AI-driven irrigation to new vertical farming projects and innovative seed treatments, all driving sustainability and efficiency in agriculture. Let's dive in!

Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:

1. 🚀 AgTech Funding Announcements This Week: Robotics, Automation & Energy Production
2. Indoor Farming & Alternative Proteins: Can Peas Be Grown Profitably Indoors?
3. Interview with Zayndu CEO: The Future of Plasma Seed Treatment
4. New AgTech Innovations: AI Irrigation, Green Ammonia, and Vertical Farming
5. Latest AgTech Research: Nanobubbles, AI Dairy Monitoring & Poultry Health
6. In Other News: Harvesting Robots, Agrivoltaics, Reports & More!
7. Upcoming AgTech Events, Conferences & Webinars

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Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural innovation! This week, we’re spotlighting major investments in biocontrols, regenerative agriculture, and vertical farming, paving the way for more sustainable food production. We’ll explore new funding fueling RNA-based pest control, biofungicide development, and AI-driven precision irrigation. Plus, a deep dive into the challenges of growing peas indoors, the latest in plasma seed treatments, and game-changing advancements in dairy and poultry health monitoring. With new vertical farms rising in the Middle East and green ammonia systems launching in North America, the future of farming is evolving fast. Let’s get started!

Investment in agricultural technology is accelerating, with major funding rounds supporting innovations in biocontrols, regenerative agriculture, and vertical farming. GreenLight Biosciences España secured a 35 million euros loan from the European Investment Bank to advance RNA-based biocontrol solutions, aiming to develop 10 new products targeting pests, fungal diseases, and honeybee health. In regenerative agriculture, Farmers Business Network launched a $750,000 land loan pilot, offering seven-year interest rate discounts to 20 farmers adopting soil health and water conservation practices, with additional funding expected from Climate United and the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Vertical farming is also expanding, with GoodLeaf Farms receiving strategic investment from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to scale leafy greens production in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, now supplying twenty seven hundred retail and foodservice locations. Meanwhile, BiocSol, a UCLouvain spin-off, raised 4.4 million euros from Pymwymic and the Walloon Region’s Win4Company program to accelerate R&D and expand its biofungicide pipeline globally. This impact supports proof of concept for two biofungicide products on a global scale. Ascribe, a company specializing in natural crop protection, secured investment from ICIG Ventures to commercialize its Phytalix biofungicide, leveraging ICIG’s WeylChem Group for production and securing a distribution deal with Nutrien, with regulatory approvals pending in the U.S. and Brazil.

This week's editorial explores a crucial question in the future of alternative proteins: Can peas be grown profitably indoors? As plant-based proteins aim to capture more than 50% of the market by 2040, scaling pea production is essential. However, unlike leafy greens, peas present significant challenges for vertical farming. With growth cycles lasting 6 to 8 weeks, these crops require trellises to support their 3 to 6 foot height, making space efficiency a major hurdle. Harvesting is labor-intensive due to the lack of automation, while energy costs remain a barrier, with LED lighting accounting for 60 to 70% of farm expenses. Additionally, controlled environments are needed to manage self-pollination and flowering issues. As demand for plant-based proteins rises, the industry must overcome these limitations to make indoor pea farming a viable, scalable solution.

This week’s interview takes a deep dive into the future of plasma seed treatment with the CEO of Zayndu, a company revolutionizing seed technology. Their chemical-free plasma seed treatment now covers one hundred and twenty species and two hundred varieties, enhancing germination, resilience, and yields. The CEO shared key insights on how plasma-treated seeds are thriving in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), making them ideal for greenhouses and vertical farms. SeedCloud integration is enabling real-time monitoring and performance tracking, while expansion into the Middle East is addressing water scarcity and extreme climate challenges. On the automation front, Zayndu is reducing operator interaction and exploring solar-powered solutions for developing regions. Looking ahead, by 2030, plasma seed treatment could become the industry standard for greenhouse and vertical farming, marking a major shift in sustainable agriculture.

This week, several cutting-edge technologies and initiatives are pushing the boundaries of agricultural innovation. WayBeyond has rolled out its AI-powered Inside Climate Prediction feature on the FarmRoad platform. By combining AI, satellite data, and climate sensors, this feature allows for real-time irrigation decisions, helping growers reduce water waste, prevent disease risks, and optimize fertigation and harvesting. The system offers hourly and daily forecasts on key metrics such as temperature, radiation, humidity, and evapotranspiration, driving precision in water management. Meanwhile, Landus and TalusAg have partnered to launch North America’s first modular green ammonia system, aimed at reducing reliance on global supply chains. This localized production system stabilizes fertilizer pricing and improves supply chain resilience, with the added benefit of potentially cutting biofuel feedstock carbon intensity by up to twenty five percent, benefiting domestic biofuel producers. In Saudi Arabia, Mowreq Specialized Agriculture and YesHealth Group have completed the largest vertical farm in Riyadh—spanning $20,000 square metres and featuring 19 layers of crops. Powered by AI-driven monitoring, the farm delivers a remarkable ninety percent water savings, supporting both food security and sustainability. It also includes an experiential center where visitors can dine while observing farm operations. This project is expected to inspire more vertical farming developments across the Middle East to enhance regional food resilience. Finally, Ceradis has introduced CeraMax, a biological seed treatment aimed at combating Red Crown Rot (RCR) in soybeans, a major issue in the Midwest. This new treatment utilizes Natamycin, a soil bacteria-derived molecule, to protect soybean roots from fungal attacks. CeraMax will be available in 2025 under a Section 2(ee) label for RCR suppression, with recommended strategies such as crop rotation and early-stage seed treatment to maximize its effectiveness. These innovations in AI, sustainability, and vertical farming are setting the stage for more resilient, efficient, and eco-friendly agricultural practices. With technology like AI-driven irrigation, modular ammonia systems, and advanced seed treatments, the future of agriculture is looking brighter and more sustainable than ever.

This week's latest research in AgTech is uncovering exciting innovations from nanobubbles to AI-powered dairy cow monitoring and poultry health solutions. Edible Garden AG, along with its partners, has tested nanobubble technology in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), showing promising results such as higher yields, faster production, improved plant health, and more efficient water and nutrient delivery. With plans to expand trials, the future looks bright for this technology. Meanwhile, researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed an AI-powered, non-contact multi-camera tracking system for dairy cows, achieving ninety percent tracking success and eighty percent accuracy in cow identification. This system eliminates the need for wearable devices and helps improve barn management, cow health, and milk quality. In poultry health, ZIVO Bioscience, in collaboration with the University of Delaware, is exploring algal-based treatments for avian influenza. These natural ingredients could reduce disease spread, lower costs, and combat drug resistance, offering a sustainable solution for poultry health moving forward. These research breakthroughs are reshaping the future of agriculture, offering more efficient and sustainable farming solutions.

In other news, several notable developments are making waves across the agricultural technology sector. Artemy, an autonomous harvesting robot, has officially entered commercial use at The Valley greenhouse. This new technology is aimed at tackling labor shortages in Dutch horticulture, streamlining harvesting operations with greater efficiency. Meanwhile, Agritask has rebranded as Acclym, marking a shift in focus towards data-driven agricultural sourcing. With a reach across six million hectares in thirty nine countries, Acclym is poised to make a significant impact in agricultural supply chains. Additionally, CFIN’s latest report on Foodtech in Canada for 2025 highlights key challenges, including funding imbalances, growth capital gaps, and supply chain inefficiencies in the agrifoodtech space. In a more sustainable move, American Farmland Trust and Sol Systems have launched a dual-use solar project in Illinois, combining Kernza grain production with clean energy. EIT Food’s RisingFoodStars program is now on the lookout for Series A-ready agri-food tech startups, offering funding, mentorship, and opportunities for market expansion. Meanwhile, Hylio has unveiled the HYL-150 ARES drone, designed for large-scale farming, boasting modular components and NDAA compliance. In Europe, forty five percent of farmers are expecting profit declines due to market instability, rising input costs, and climate risks, even as many continue to adopt sustainability practices. SynTech Research Group has integrated AgIdea, further enhancing agronomy, biotech, and biosolutions research across the Americas. Lastly, CFA and AgVend have partnered to streamline loan management for agricultural retailers, improving financial visibility and decision-making processes. These developments highlight a dynamic landscape in agricultural technology, where innovation continues to address key challenges and create new opportunities for growth.

Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for the 2nd International Conference on CEA in Plymouth UK on February 25, 2025. Following that, the World Agri-Tech San Francisco 2025 will be a key gathering, and then the Indoor Ag Con will take place in Las Vegas, USA from March 11th to 12th. Additionally, VIV Asia will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from March 12th to 14th, offering more opportunities to connect and learn. Later in the year, the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Entomology will be held from May 19th to 21st 2025, with Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture Europe 2025 rounding out this exciting season of industry events.

That wraps up today’s episode of AgTech Digest. We’ve explored the latest innovations and trends in the agtech sector, from the promising advancements in nanobubble technology for controlled environment agriculture to AI-driven solutions for dairy cow health and efficient irrigation. The sector continues to make strides with breakthroughs in vertical farming, poultry health, and sustainable farming practices. With exciting upcoming industry events on the horizon and the launch of new cutting-edge technologies, the future of agriculture is clearly evolving towards smarter, more sustainable solutions. Thanks for joining me, I'm Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!