In credit? Farmed seaweed emerges as crucial player in supply chain decarbonisation
Seaweed farming could be instrumental in decarbonising supply chains, providing the price of carbon credits is increased, new analysis suggests.
Archives for October 16, 2023
Decline in agtech investments plateauing, climate change driving innovation: PitchBook report
The trajectory of investment activity within the agtech sector — which saw a steady decline commencing in Q2 2022 — appears to be stabilising as of Q2 2023, according to financial data and software firm PitchBook.
Renewed approach: Why spent mushroom substrate valorisation is crucial for industry sustainability
The valorisation of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) could be a key driver of sustainability in mushroom production, according to researchers in Norway, Sweden and Greece.
Raising the bar: How can ethical practices in livestock farming be adopted in the digital age?
Experts say more research is needed to address the digital divide and other ethical concerns as the prevalence of livestock farming becomes more widespread.
‘A new chapter’: BL Agro eyes increased share of India’s agri-tech market with US$62.5mn investment
Indian FMCG major BL Agro has committed US$62.5mn in investment to purchase Leads Connect, one of the country’s most comprehensive agricultural technology firms, in a bid to increase its presence in the burgeoning sector.
Waste innovation: How tech advances could turn plant-based food by-products into heavy metal contamination combatants
The mobilisation of heavy metals in the environment continues to cause serious concerns due to their toxic effects on ecosystems, human health and wildlife, but inexpensive and abundant bio-sorbents derived from fibrous plant-based food waste materials...
Machine momentum: Real-time crop disease monitoring system may empower sub-Saharan African farmers
Using machine learning (ML) to monitor crop disease in real time may boost growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector, where rop diseases have long been a significant threat to agricultural productivity, resulting in annual yield...
Targeted policy needed to ensure zero-deforestation commitments reduce global oil palm area
Zero-deforestation commitments have the potential to save around 96 million hectares of forests from conversion by 2030, with 17% of this being due to the expansion of oil palm plantations, but more effective global policies are needed to ensure...
Novel winter wheat sowing pattern may help reduce N2O emissions while improving grain yield
Novel wide belt wheat sowing in winter could lead to reduced N2O emissions and increased grain yield, according to data from a project in China.
Bayer expands ForwardFarming initiative in China with Shanghai cooperative
Bayer is expanding its eco-centric ForwardFarming initiative in China with an upcoming partnership with a Shanghai agriculture products cooperative.
Optimising nutrient absorption: China aquaculture study reveals how diet impacts digestive abilities
Researchers from China have revealed new insights into how the feeding habits of different fish species in the wild affect their digestive abilities, gut structures, and gut bacteria.
Exposure to two of most popular herbicides linked with worse brain function among adolescents
Exposures to two of the most popular herbicides were associated with worse brain function among adolescents, according to a study led by researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California...
Gene-editing that protects chickens against bird flu could have major benefits for Aussie industry - experts
Australia’s animal production sectors could benefit massively from new research that suggests Gene editing can be used to create chickens that are partially resistant to infection by avian influenza, providing regulatory developments can keep pace with...
Minimizing pesticide use in agriculture: What are potential strategies for success?
Flexible direct payment schemes have been touted as an effective approach to encourage widespread adoption of pesticide-free production, as well as building farmers’ capacities in plant breeding and improving production systems.
Gut feeling: How gut microbiota may help improve agri-food sustainability and waste management
The gut microbiota of insects may be what the agri-food industry needs to strengthen sustainability and improve waste management.
Regenerative agriculture and nutritional quality: Better monitoring and nutritional diagnostics needed to enhance understanding
Innovation is needed to improve monitoring on farms and enhanced nutritional diagnostics are essential to get a better understanding of the relationship between regenerative agriculture (RA) and nutritional quality.
Double benefits: Climate change adaption leads to greater food security for Kenyan farmers
Climate change poses a serious threat to the sustainability of food production in Kenya, but famers who adopt more environmentally-friendly initiatives have been foucd to have greater levels of food security.
Share the load: Why agtech collaborations would benefit from cross-disciplinary integration
Social scientists should play a critical role in agtech collaborations, thanks to their experiences across diverse disciplines that include science and technology studies (STS), food studies, sociology and geography, experts have argued.
Indoor vertical farms: Environmental impact highly dependent on operational conditions – new research
New research has indicated that the greenhouse gas emissions associated with indoor vertical farms (IVFs) could vary significantly based on operational conditions, and highlighted the critical role operational decisions, resource consumption and yield...
AI advancement: New digital tool, the DAKIS, shows potential for enhancing sustainable agriculture
A new digital tool called the Digital Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (DAKIS) has been developed to assist farmers in making decisions that promote sustainable and diverse agriculture.
From wheat to hemp: NSW facility to expand precision agriculture for Australia’s major crops
A new high-tech facility in Narrabri, New South Wales (NSW), is seeking to strengthen Australia’s food security by focusing on agtech to increase crop resilience and boost the productivity of farmers.
Bio-gas boost: How waste recovery may be key to reducing poultry production’s environmental impact
Using poultry litter for bio-gas production could lead to significant reductions in methane and ammonia emissions, resulting in a decrease of over 50% in key environmental indicators such as climate change, terrestrial acidification and freshwater...
Seed-to-table solutions: Indonesia start-up Koltiva helps MNCs overcome regulatory hurdles and supply chain challenges
Indonesia-based agtech firm Koltiva is set to utilise its recent funding to expand its supply chain tracing and climate tech offerings not only to benefit global food companies, but also boost the livelihoods of smallholder producers.
Agricultural Bank of China’s new business matchmaking platform aims to boost international agricultural collaboration
The Agricultural Bank of China hopes its new “global matchmaking platform” will maximise the use of its data and fintech resources to create greater collaboration opportunities among both local and overseas companies in the agriculture sector.
Safeguarding fishing and aquaculture: Forecasting innovation needed to mitigate impact of El Niño
New innovations to improve forecasting closer to coastal regions is urgently needed to safeguard fishing and aquaculture in the event of a strong El Niño.
Profiting from pasture: AIMER seeks to maximise returns for dairy farmers with precision tech and AI
New Zealand-based AIMER Farming is seeking to make precision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) more user-friendly for dairy farmers to optimise their operations.
Slick approach: Fungus found in soil may be able to address challenges in oilseed rape cultivation
The fungus Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) could have positive effects on oilseed rape production, but its different strains require further exploration to fully understand its cultivation benefits.
Nanobiotechnology could be key to sustainable agriculture in crop production: New research
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) could be a holistic solution for sustainability in crop production and environmental stewardship, according to researchers in China, Australia and Pakistan.
‘Small but high-potential’: Kiwi aquatech to help grow global NZ agtech presence
Aquatech is a “small but high-potential part” of New Zealand’s agtech system that could cement the country’s status in international markets, according to Simon Hearsey, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
‘Let co-ops compete’: Give primary producers a level playing field for high-value food advancement – industry body
Co-ops need regulatory changes to be able to operate on a ‘level playing field’ and compete with MNCs in the advanced manufacturing space, claims an organisation spanning key players from agriculture, horticulture and processors.
Paradigm shift: Can India drive the sustainable development needed to address nutritional, environmental challenges?
India's food system needs a paradigm shift towards sustainability to address the challenges posed by its ever-growing population, water scarcity, cropland limitations and climate change impacts.
Grape expectations: Could diversification, understanding of heat and water stress help improve wine grape production?
Innovations in identifying physiological, metabolic and genetic factors contributing to abiotic stress tolerance and grape berry composition could be key to safeguarding the future of two of the most popular wines - Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.
Can unmanned aerial vehicles aid precision agriculture efforts? China trial sees positive results
Hyperspectral remote sensing images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used to develop a ‘more rigorous and scientific’ health assessment model to aid precision agriculture strategies, say researchers.
Integrate to improve: How Blockchain, IoT could help cold chain systems effectively tackle global hunger and food waste
Intelligent cold chain systems could play a greater role in reducing food loss and waste through the use of real-time data exchange and dynamic environmental parameter control, but widespread integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain...
Vertical farming challenges: What are the consumer hurdles that would restrict widespread adoption?
Vertical farming has long been touted as effective strategy for countries, those sparse of land and otherwise, to bolster their food security and meet local demand. But how receptive are consumers to such innovation and what are the hurdles that could...
Calf conundrum: Is enforcement of Fonterra’s new policy on euthanasia enough to quell consumer dairy concerns?
Fonterra’s new policy banning non-essential euthanasia in so-called ‘bobby’ calves has been hailed as a milestone of sorts for dairy sustainability and animal ethics - but will this be enough to address consumer concerns about industry workings?
Funding dip: Indian agtech start-up funding decreased by 33% in 2022 – report
Indian agriculture and foodtech startups collectively secured USD2.4bn in funding in 2022, according to a new report, but this marked a 33% decrease compared to the $3.6 billion raised in 2021.
Extensive emissions and deforestation benefits of plant-based diet and emerging tech underlined by new data
Substituting 50% of pork, beef, chicken, and milk consumption with plant-based products could reduce global agriculture and land-use green house gas emissions by 31% in 2050 compared to 2020.
Go green: Japan throws weight behind private agritech improvement projects to hit sustainability targets
The Japanese government has approved the applications of over 50 companies looking to implement agritech-focused improvements to their businesses, offering support and tax incentives in a bid to hit its national Green Food System sustainability goals by...
One Health in China: Link between human, animal health and environment gains traction
A holistic concept that recognises the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment, is gradually but definitively attracting public awareness in China.
Decoding GMOs: Benefits, controversies and the state of biosafety regulations
Public opinion about genetically modified (GMOs) products remain divisive, but where do the gaps lie when it comes to the adoption of biosafety regulations?
Efficient fertilisation: Why a more sustainable system of fertiliser use is needed to boost food security
A better and more efficient use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilisers is urgently needed to address food security and environmental problems, with new technologies vital to improve outcomes.
Securing food future: Seeds treated with unique ceramic alloy able to increase vegetable commercial yield by 21%
A Singapore-based deep tech firm claims to be able to increase the commercial yield of bokchoy by 18.5% just by treating the water with its ceramic alloy.
Hybrid rice, irrigation, crop variety: China reinforces long-standing agricultural ties with Africa to ‘modernise sector’
China has pledged to continue support African countries in upgrading their agricultural sector and helping the local populations fulfil self-sufficiency, following collaborations spanning hybrid rice cultivation, irrigation and crop variety.
Animal ag transition: Five step plan unveiled for governments to move away from industrial meat production
A five-step approach has been revealed to enable governments to transition away from high levels of industrial meat production and consumption, in a manner that is claimed to be 'fair and just' for affected stakeholders.
Something’s brewing: Could coconut coir dust hold the key to more effective coffee production in Thailand?
Coconut coir dust (CCD) may be instrumental in facilitating the use of bio-fertilisers as an alternative to harmful chemical fertilisers often used in coffee production in Thailand.
Regenerative ag start-up RegenX bags $500,000 to accelerate growth in Vietnam's coffee industry
Regenerative agriculture start-up RegenX has successfully secured $500,000 in pre-seed funding to expedite its expansion into Vietnam's coffee sector.