The agtech ecosystem is at an inflection point — with the massive potential of innovative technologies running against capital constraints and a troubled ag economy that is stressing farmers to the breaking point.
On the funding side, 2025 was another challenging year for start-ups seeking to raise money, as investors sought safety in later-stage companies and venture capital (VC) shifted its focus from biologicals to robotics, amid broader AI interest, as AgTechNavigator shared in a state of funding report.
Automation and robotics are still seen as a hedge against labour challenges, as the ag industry grapples with an aging workforce, while the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is impacting the labour pool.
Additionally, the Trump administration made a number of agriculture policy changes, including $12 billion worth of assistance to farmers to address 2026 market volatility, with more assistance expected in 2026.
Elsewhere, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement have left their mark on food and ag policy, advocating for regenerative agriculture and a diet rich in protein and fewer processed foods. In Dec. 2025, the USDA revealed a $700 million commitment to regenerative agriculture through existing programmes, with the support of HHS.
This context provides the backdrop to the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco, March 17-18. The event will also host pre-show programming on March 16 dedicated to AI in agriculture, innovation in action, and more.
For more information on the event, visit the website here and click here to register here. AgTechNavigator readers receive a special 10% off attendance with promo code ATN10.
Unlocking AI’s potential in agriculture
When AI first splashed onto the scene, industries explored how the technology could solve a range of issues. AI is helping farmers produce more actionable insight, compiling and sifting through mountains of financial, weather, and operational data. Additionally, physical AI is the backbone for robotics and automation companies.
A panel on the first day of the World Agri-Tech event, titled "Translating AI Experiments into Real-World Value in Agriculture," will discuss what small and large language models can do for agriculture and the practical uses of AI on the farm. Moderated by a member of UC Davis, the panel consists of leaders from across the agriculture and tech industries, including Google, Syngenta, BASF, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign representatives.
The topic shifts to robotics and automation in the following panel, “Robotics & Autonomy: The New Agricultural Workforce.” Representatives from original equipment manufacturer giants, like Kubota and CNH Industrial, will join AgZen’s founder and the co-founder and CTO of Tavant for a discussion on how robotics are empowering the next generation of farmers.
Wrapping up the first day, investors from Khosla Ventures, FCC Capital, Temasek, and Novo Holdings will share their thoughts on the new age of ag intelligence, with a panel on venture models to rebuild capital flows. These investors will discuss investment trends and lessons learned from the market correction following the Covid-era hype.
Understanding how policy, farm economics will shape the future
On the second day of the event, the theme will expand to cover the broader ag economy and government policy as well as shine a spotlight on women in agriculture with the return of World Agri-Tech’s breakfast briefing.
The opening panel on the second day, “The Next Food Frontier: Healthy Supply, Stable Markets, Resilient System,” will discuss how the ag system can respond to climate and market shifts while meeting the demand for healthy and nutritious foods. The panel will feature representatives from HHS, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and KPMG, and will be moderated by a member of Stanford University.
Later in the day, the farm economy will come into focus with a panel discussion from representatives of Agribank, CoBank, Farm Credit Council, and Farm Credit Services of America. The panel will discuss how farm financing is shifting amid market volatility, and how data can help build resilient agribusinesses.
These are just a few of the many sessions at the 2026 edition of the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco. For more information, visit the website here and register today here.
