Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring robotic organic farming expansion, AI-powered farm management solutions, and major acquisitions in agricultural genetics and floriculture. Let's get started!
Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:
AgTech & Precision Agriculture Highlights: New Funding Round, New Acquisition & More!
Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural technology. In today's episode, we're diving into the latest developments shaping the future of agriculture. We'll explore robotic farming systems and AI-powered farm management platforms, examine significant funding rounds in organic farming and biofertility solutions, and look at strategic acquisitions in floriculture and agricultural genetics. We'll also cover vertical farming innovations and controlled environment agriculture advances, and examine divestment strategies in fertilizer manufacturing. There's a lot to cover, so let's get started.
Anna:
Firstly, NeoFarm secured thirty million euros in Series B funding, co-led by ADEME Investissement and Eurazeo Smart City. Funds will support a 25-hectare flagship farm in Lisses, Essonne, set to launch by late twenty twenty-five. The site will include greenhouses, biodiversity zones, robotic tools, and on-site vegetable processing. Target production capacity is thirteen hundred tons of organic vegetables annually, grown without chemical inputs. NeoFarm plans to deploy over 25 similar large-scale farms across Europe by twenty thirty. The company integrates agroecology, robotics, and farm management software to improve sustainability and food sovereignty.
Anna:
In addition, Good Agriculture raised one point five million dollars in seed funding, led by Nicely Road. The company offers an AI-powered platform that streamlines administrative tasks for farmers. Tools such as Digital Farm Hand and Farm Funding Match aim to boost farmer efficiency and profitability. The platform encourages adoption of regenerative agriculture by reducing operational friction.
Anna:
Furthermore, QA Farmer released a mobile app for row crop farmers, available on Apple App Store and Google Play. The app consolidates weather forecasts, grain prices, bin inventory, and agronomy tools. Features include field-specific forecasts, local elevator bids, spray timing alerts, and agronomist connections via FarmQA. The app was introduced at the Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo, North Dakota.
Anna:
Following that, Hasfarm Holdings Limited signed a Scheme Implementation Agreement to acquire Lynch Group Holdings Limited for approximately two hundred seventy million Australian dollars. Lynch shareholders will receive two point two four five Australian dollars per share in cash, pending approval and independent review. The acquisition aims to create a vertically integrated floriculture platform spanning Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. The combined entity targets improved supply chain efficiency and expanded market access in China, Japan, and Australia.
Anna:
Transitioning to investment opportunities, Greener Pastures New Zealand launched the Kiwifruit Fund under New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa program. The fund focuses on kiwifruit orchards and Zespri shares to support national agriculture and land ownership. This is the third such fund from Greener Pastures and Origin Capital Partners, managing over two hundred and twenty-five million dollars New Zealand dollars in kiwifruit assets. A Diversified Fund option is also available for investors seeking lower-risk visa pathways.
Anna:
Bringing you up to date on plant science and agribusinesses, Nutrien limited is selling its fifty percent stake in Profertil S.A. for approximately six hundred million US dollars pre-tax. Buyers include Adecoagro S.A. and Asociacion de Cooperativas Argentinas Coop Limited. The sale supports Nutrien's strategy to focus on core assets and strengthen its financial position. Proceeds will go toward growth investments, share buybacks, and debt reduction. The transaction is expected to close by the end of twenty twenty-five, pending closing conditions and right of first refusal. Profertil previously contributed about sixty million US dollars annually to Nutrien's Nitrogen segment.
Anna:
Diving into biofertility developments, MustGrow Biologics obtained a two million dollars credit line from CIBC, backed by Export Development Canada. Funds will support production of the biofertility product TerraSante for U.S. market demand. The credit also provides working capital for Canadian distributor NexusBioAg. Loan terms include an interest rate of prime plus one percent, currently totaling five point nine five percent. The company plans to pursue a larger credit facility to meet growing product demand.
Anna:
Turning to Nitricity, who closed a fifty million dollars Series B funding round, co-led by World Fund and Khosla Ventures. Funding will support construction of its 1st organic fertilizer plant in Delhi, California, operational in twenty twenty-six. The plant will produce Ash Tea, a liquid organic fertilizer made from almond shells and renewable inputs. Ash Tea is positioned as a cost-effective, low-emission alternative to conventional fertilizers. Capital will also support U.S. and European expansion, hiring, and R&D. Nitricity has offtake agreements through twenty twenty-eight and a production pipeline exceeding one hundred fifty million dollars.
Anna:
Continuing with GDM who has acquired the remaining fifty percent stake in AgReliant Genetics from Vilmorin & Cie and KWS. The deal expands GDM's footprint in North American corn and soybean genetics. AgReliant brands AgriGold, LG Seeds, PRIDE Seeds and corn R&D assets will be integrated into GDM. The combined company now holds one of the largest temperate corn germplasm pools globally. GDM operates the 4th-largest corn research program in North America. Brian Barker, former AgReliant CEO, is appointed President of GDM North America.
Anna:
As the CEA updates, Grow-tec, an Israeli agtech firm with twenty years in Controlled Environment Agriculture, released a case study on its indoor vertical farming facility. The study outlines technical feasibility, crop protocols, and investor-focused economic models. Reported results include yields four times higher than open-field farming and over ninety percent water savings. The four hundred and sixty square meter facility, operational since twenty-twenty, utilizes mobile racks, climate control, and recirculating hydroponics. The system enables year-round cultivation of fruiting crops without pesticide use. Performance metrics include tomato yields of approximately seven hundred ninety kilograms per square meter per year and cucumber yields of approximately one thousand one hundred kilograms per square meter per year. Grow-tec is trialing new crops and planning international expansion in the next two to five years.
Anna:
In other news, Cairnspring Mills secures one million dollars from more than five hundred investors in under a month on Wefunder. The campaign ranked number one among July launches on Wefunder and number two nationwide, according to Kingscrowd. The company is expanding capacity with a new mill in Pendleton, Oregon, in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Additionally, Meristem Crop Performance introduced a zero percent financing option with Farm Growth Financial, available through December twenty twenty-six. The program applies exclusively to Meristem products, with streamlined approvals and limits up to five hundred thousand dollars. Farmers must take delivery by December twentieth, twenty twenty-five, to access the no-payment, no-interest offer. A one point nine nine percent financing option is available for deliveries after the deadline, through the twenty twenty-six crop year. Furthermore, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden signed a block grant with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The grant provides two hundred twenty-one point two million dollars in federal assistance for recovery after Hurricane Helene. Funding will cover infrastructure, timber, market, and future year revenue losses. The support is part of a broader thirty billion dollar disaster assistance program authorized by the American Relief Act, twenty twenty-five. Moreover, La Caisse commits two hundred million Australian dollars alongside fifty million Australian dollars from CEFC to create Meldora. Gunn Agri Partners will manage the new platform focused on sustainable agriculture and carbon credits. Meldora's first acquisition is a fifteen thousand-hectare farm in Central Queensland. Finally, Rainforest Alliance has launched a new Regenerative Agriculture Standard to support farmers and ecosystems. Certified regenerative products will feature a distinct seal starting in early twenty twenty-six. Coffee is the first crop to be certified, with cocoa, citrus, and tea to follow.
Anna:
Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for SPACE from September sixteenth to eighteenth, twenty twenty-five in France. Following that, AgraME will take place from October sixth to seventh, in Dubai. Finally, don't miss Vertical Farming World Congress from October seventh to ninth, twenty twenty-five in Amsterdam.
Anna:
That wraps up today's episode of AgTech Digest. We explored the latest developments in agricultural technology. From robotic organic farming systems and AI-powered farm management platforms to strategic acquisitions in floriculture and agricultural genetics, it's clear that the agtech sector is making strides in sustainability and innovation. With significant funding rounds totaling over eighty million dollars and impactful partnerships across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, the future of agriculture is shaping up to be smarter and more sustainable than ever before. Thanks for joining me, I'm Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!
