Headlines

‘Powerful validation of our approach to regenerative agriculture’: Why Microsoft is backing Farmland LP

The still nascent carbon credit market for agriculture has received a boost with the news that Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund is backing Farmland LP. Will it be enough to propel the regenerative soil carbon credit market?

Fresh calls to clear up confusion between 'organic' and 'regenerative' farming

A lack of understanding about sustainable agriculture is hindering the uptake of organic farming in the UK, researchers say.

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Silage quality: Understanding and managing the forage quality puzzle

Mycotoxins can affect silage quality and contaminate feed, causing decreased feed intake and compromising animal health. What processes can help mitigate these challenges?

India: Are the bets back on?

After the crisis in funding in 2023, India’s agtech landscape is adjusting. But can investment be directed to the right places? Harry Holmes investigates.

Shireen Davies, CEO co-founder, SOLASTA Bio. Image: Andrew Cawley

Green insecticide start-up raises $14m

SOLASTA Bio, based in Glasgow in the UK and with a base in North Carolina in the US, has completed a $14 million Series A funding round to accelerate the development of its peptide-based bioinsecticides.

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Xanthan Gum as a texturant in media for plant tissue culture

Xanthan gum helps to fine-tune textural properties of growth media for plant tissue culture, thus facilitating media handling and enabling adjustment to plant-specific needs.

How AI can slash indoor farming energy use

Integrating artificial intelligence into today’s environmental control systems could reduce energy consumption for indoor agriculture by 25% – potentially helping to feed the world as its population rises, Cornell University engineers have found.

UK bank HSBC offers farmers discounted loan fees to support sustainable practices

Farming businesses on the journey to more sustainable practices can now receive discounts on loan fees as part of a new HSBC UK initiative.

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How is parametric insurance helping to mitigate risks?

The impact of climate change on agricultural insurance underscores the critical role of Earth observation in understanding, quantifying, and ultimately mitigating risk.

Meet the start-up aiming to unlock opportunities in Africa’s untapped seafood sector

Sea Gardener wants to transform the Nile Delta's shellfish sector into a sustainable, export-ready industry that boosts Africa’s food security.

Bluetongue: Efforts intensify to tackle virus as it hits Europe ‘with a vengeance’

With livestock producers across Europe braced for the impact of bluetongue, the UK has become the latest country to approve emergency vaccines. Will they stop the spread of the virus?

Soil Capital raises €15 million to boost agricultural transition

Brussels-based Soil Capital said it aims to strengthen, secure, and make agricultural supply chains more sustainable, addressing a ‘triple need’: social, environmental, and economic.

First plant sustainability index launched to cut environmental impact of growing crops

Global genetic improvement consultancy AbacusBio has launched what it calls the world’s first sustainability index for plants to help reduce the environmental impact of growing crops.

In 2023 trials, treated inbred corn lines demonstrated over 7.3% yield gains and the company is targeting double-digit yield gains this year. Image: BioLumic

BioLumic sheds light on its UV tech as it partners with seed majors

BioLumic is partnering with seed companies including Beck's Hybrids, Peterson Corn Genetics, Peterson Farms Seed, Breeder Direct to use its light-activated technology on a wide range of inbred and hybrid corn lines aiming to enhance their productivity....

Brazil still offers ‘significant’ opportunities for foreign investment to help meet fertiliser demand

Despite some controversy about the effect of direct foreign investment in the Brazilian agricultural sector, the country’s push to increase domestic fertiliser production is continuing to present sizeable FDI opportunities for companies looking to enter...

Save the bees: new brand lifts off to preserve falling populations

Agtech company Terra Vera has launched a new division to address the critical issue of declining bee populations.

Terrantic seals $3.5m to help food processors extend shelf life and increase production yields

The US tech company, which provides data management and analytics solutions for the food production industry, has closed its oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round.

Flipping a genetic ‘switch’ in beans, peas and lentils can boost soil fertility and food security

The potential to flip the genetic 'off switch' and ensure legumes convert nitrogen into nutrients regardless of the soil conditions could improve the yield of legume crops and also the amount of nitrogen left in the soil for subsequent crops,...

Researchers explored the use of NIR spectroscopy for analyzing characteristics of corn kernels. GettyImages

‘Fast and efficient’: How new near-infrared and machine-learning tech could enable on-the-ground chemical testing of agri products

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning can provide quick, accurate, and cost-effective product analysis of the chemical composition of agri materials, removing the need for expensive lab tests and putting the tech in the hands of workers...