Key Takeaways

Innovations in Rice Cultivation: IRRI's SpeedFlower protocol could double rice yields.

Advancements in Wheat Farming: Save Foods’ Nitrousink and Cibus' gene editing breakthroughs.

New Biofungicide for Crop Protection: Certis Biologicals introduces Convergence.

Growth in AgriBusiness: Loam Bio's expansion and Burro's Series B funding highlight growth.

Sector-Wide Developments: UPL Ltd.'s acquisition and Serra Ventures' partnership in AgTech.

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00:00 - Natasha Coles (Host)

It's Wednesday, the 13th of December, and this is the AgTech Weekly Review, brought to you by the Vertical Farming Podcast and iGrow News. Hello and welcome to the AgTech Weekly Review, your go-to source for the freshest stories shaping the CEA landscape. With your host, natasha Coles, each week we dive into the fast-moving world of AgTech, where innovation meets sustainability and where every story brings us closer to a greener future. Whether you're an AgTech enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of indoor agriculture, we've got something for everyone. In this week's edition, we delve into the dynamic world of agricultural technology, where cutting edge innovations meet sustainable practices to reshape the future of farming. From the sands of Dubai to the fields of the American Midwest, we bring you stories of transformative collaborations and advancements. Discover how new partnerships are bulging past towards more efficient, sustainable and productive agricultural practices. Refarm Dubai's latest gigafarm with IGS Intelligent Growth Solutions. Igs has partnered with ReFarm to collaborate on the gigafarm project in Dubai. The gigafarm project is a waste-of-value farming initiative that will span an area of 900,000 square feet. The aim of the project is to recycle food waste and to cultivate 2 billion plants annually using a sustainable approach To accomplish eco-friendly food production projects incorporate circularity and clean technologies, while uniting six different technologies to ensure efficient resource utilization and waste reduction. The primary objective of the gigafarm project is to contribute to food security by replacing 1% of the UAE's food imports and growing over 3 million kilos of produce each year.

01:56

Sillal and Bayer partner to address climate challenges in the UAE. Sillal and Bayer have recently formed a strategic partnership to improve agriculture practices in the UAE and to tackle climate change. As part of this collaboration, the two companies will conduct a train-the-trainer program to enhance local agronomy skills that could benefit over 300 growers in the region. They will also conduct trials with different vegetable seeds to assess their performance under challenging desert conditions, which can help improve agricultural practices globally. This partnership is aligned with COP28's focus on combating climate change and highlights the significance of agriculture in achieving that goal. Bayer's Health for All hunger for non-mission, which promotes sustainable agriculture through security under PINCIS collaboration. The objective of the strategic partnership is to bring positive change in the agricultural sector, promoting sustainable practices that benefit both local communities and the environment.

02:58

Nasi Komar and Siemens for strategic partnership during COP28. Siemens Bulgaria and Nasi Komar have joined hands in a strategic partnership focusing on digitalising insect bifurc transformation to cater to the increasing demand for protein. The objective of this partnership is to create an intelligent insect industry 4.0, which will enhance efficiency through digital solutions. Nasi Komar's development concept involves a data-driven franchising model that scales up globally. The aim of this collaboration is to make a significant contribution to sustainable development and reduce CO2 emissions.

03:39

Trimble and Savanto partner for enhanced autonomous tractors. Trimble and Savanto have recently announced a strategic partnership to integrate Trimble's advanced GNS receivers with Savanto's autonomy solutions for agricultural applications. The aim of this collaboration is to enhance agricultural productivity, offering precise positioning, minimal downtime and reduced impact costs, while addressing workable shortages through automation. The technology includes correction stream switching that enables uninterrupted connectivity and signal reliability in various environments. By integrating Trimble's dual antenna GNS receivers with Trimble's centre point RTX, savanto's autonomous tractors will receive high accuracy, centimetre level positioning. Savanto's focus on retrofitting existing agricultural machines aligns with sustainability and cost effectiveness, enhancing the return on investment for producers. Overall, the collaboration between Trimble and Savanto is expected to provide enhanced precision and reliability, improved farming productivity, seamless connectivity and sustainable and economic solutions for the agricultural industry.

04:51

Singenta launches biological nematocyte for sugarcane. Singenta, a company specializing in agricultural solutions, has recently launched a new product called Certano. This innovative biological nematocyte is designed to protect sugarcane crops from various harmful nematodes, which can significantly reduce the productivity of sugarcane. Certano not only offers efficient pest control, but also helps promote crop growth and combat nematodes and fungal diseases, leading to higher crop yield. This technology has significant economic implication for Brazilian agriculture, as it can prevent substantial financial losses. Singenta's integrated pest management approach includes a combination of biological and chemical products and digital technologies to provide a comprehensive solution to farmers.

05:43

Corteva AgroScience News herbicides cleared for border use. Corteva AgroScience's endless herbicides have successfully completed an extensive consultation process under the Endangered Species Act. This has resulted in the issuance of a final biological opinion by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Consequently, the restrictions on the use of endless herbicides in some key US counties will be lifted. This will enable farmers to have access to endless herbicides in key growing regions in Texas and Georgia, and they will have better weed control options. The endless system is known for its low volatility and minimal physical drip. However, it's essential to note that applicators must follow current product labels and consult endangered species protection bulletins for specific regional guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance with label guidelines.

06:38

Innovate UK and BBSRC Fund 32 projects for sustainable food production. The UK's Innovate and BBSRC organisations are investing a sum of £15.6 million in 32 projects aimed at revolutionising the food industry. These projects are focused on developing alternative proteins such as plant-based and lab-grown options to promote sustainable land and water usage as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The initiatives aim to enhance the production process of cultivated meat, optimise space and resource efficiency in vertical farming systems and establish an Innovation and Knowledge Centre. Projects such as vertical farming and storage technologies led by UK Urban Agritech and Guyro Plant making TCEA Farm Sustainable by Guyro Plant Limited, are at the forefront of exploring innovative vertical farming solutions. These initiatives aim to maximise space and resource efficiency, facilitate year-round local production and minimise the environmental impact. Another notable project is Advanced Crop Dynamic Control for Sustainable Leaf Protein Production in Vertical Farms by Letters Grow Limited, which utilises advanced technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of indoor farming systems.

07:57

Far and Bayer Crop Sciences' $16 million grant to Kansas State University. The Kansas State University has been awarded a massive grant of $7.6 million by the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, far. The grant will be utilised for agricultural research focusing on the interaction between crop, soil and water management and their impact on soil microbial communities. The total investment for the project is $16.3 million, including matching funds from various sources such as Bayer Crop Science. The research will be conducted over a span of five years, with an extension planned for a comprehensive understanding of agricultural systems. The primary goal of this project is to enhance our understanding of agricultural systems and promote sustainable practices for soil and water management.

08:47

Inveo Sciences Acquires Peptide Bio. Inveo Sciences has recently acquired peptide bio in a strategic move that has greatly enhanced its capability to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. The merger has combined Envio's advanced AI and delivery systems with peptides, innovative peptides aiming to offer more natural, efficient and effective crop production. This acquisition will help Envio expedite the design and discovery of biologically active peptides that are essential in protecting crops sustainably. This acquisition is also the first successful exit for a company under the Danforth Technology Company, validating its strategy in promoting emerging technologies. The collaboration between Envio and Peptide Bio creates new possibilities for the development of natural, positive solutions in agriculture, aligning with consumer demands for environmentally friendly practices in the future.

09:43

Cropex Technologies Acquires Green Brain. Cropex Technologies, a leading digital agtech company, has recently acquired Green Brain, an Adelaide-based agtech company. This strategic acquisition is a significant milestone for CropEx in Australia, as it strengthens the company's global presence, particularly in the area of precision agriculture. The aim of the acquisition is to integrate Green Brain's technical expertise in irrigation and optimization with CropEx's advanced farm management system, providing Australian farmers with enhanced i-tech solutions. Both companies share a common goal of supporting sustainable farming practices, especially in challenging environments like Australia's reoccurring droughts. The acquisition provides mutual benefits, as Green Brain's established Australian market presence and technical know-how complement CropEx's precision and sustainable agricultural technology. This acquisition aligns with CropEx's buy and build strategy, which emphasizes precision and sustainable agricultural technology. It showcases the company's continued growth and innovation in the field of digital agtech.