New UK Partnership to Tackle Food Waste and Support London Communities
Fischer Farms has teamed up with London food charity City Harvest to redirect surplus vertical‑farm produce to communities in need. The partnership has already diverted 1.3 tonnes of leafy greens, equating to 3,086 meals and preventing 895 kg of greenhouse‑gas emissions. By delivering fresh, locally grown food, the initiative shortens supply chains and reduces food‑miles, enhancing sustainability. City Harvest, which serves about 130,000 Londoners each week, gains a reliable source of high‑quality produce, strengthening its food‑rescue network.
Crafting Flavor in Hydroponically Grown Lettuce with CRISPR
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the DFR gene in red‑leaf lettuce, producing a green‑pigmented line without compromising growth. The edited plants lost anthocyanin coloration, while some lines showed a rise in total flavonoids. Metabolite profiling confirmed a sharp drop...
Andhra Pradesh Aims to Become India's Largest Mushroom Producer
The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing a "Mushroom Mission" to make the state India’s top mushroom producer. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has tasked officials with an action plan that will roll out roughly 162,000 small‑scale farms of about 5,000 sq ft...
Delivering Vertical Produce to the Heart of London
Harvest London, a vertical farming startup founded in 2017, celebrated the first anniversary of its Corner Corner facility in Surrey Quays. The 190 sq m footprint leverages a vertical design to provide roughly 400 sq m of LED‑lit growing space that operates 24 hours a...
California Startup Fermeate Closes $2M Seed Round for Light-Based Fermentation Control Technology
California startup Fermeate closed a $2 million seed round led by Newfund Capital, with participation from SOSV and Ajinomoto Group Ventures. The company’s optogenetics platform embeds light‑sensitive proteins in microbes, allowing real‑time gene activation or repression via an external light‑delivery device...
Rise in Copper Sulphate Prices Increase Cultivation Costs for Coffee, Arecanut Growers
Copper sulphate prices in India have surged about 70% year‑on‑year, climbing from roughly ₹270 ($3.3) per kilogram to over ₹450 ($5.5) now, driven by higher copper and sulphuric‑acid costs. The chemical is essential for Bordeaux‑mixture fungicide used on coffee and...
India's Farm Output Hits Record 357 Million Tonnes in 2024-25: J&K Lieutenant Governor
India’s total farm production hit a record 357 million tonnes in 2024‑25, up 25 million tonnes from the previous year, while horticulture output rose to 362 million tonnes. The government highlighted several climate‑resilient initiatives, including the rollout of 25 crore soil‑health cards, an increase...
Appetronix Acquires Salad Assembly Robotics Co Cibotica
Toronto‑based Appetronix has acquired Canadian robotics startup Cibotica, adding its ingredient‑dispensing platform to the company’s automated pizza kitchens. The deal, terms undisclosed, enables Appetronix to roll out new cuisine formats—Asian noodles, Mexican burrito bowls and coffee—by the end of the...
Holland-Utrecht Developing Electric Tractor with 400 kWh Battery Pack
Holland‑Utrecht is set to launch the HUE Trac 620 Vario, an electric tractor built on a Fendt chassis and powered by a 400 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery. The machine promises roughly eight hours of operation—equivalent to about 100 liters of diesel—and supports 150 kW fast...
How Autosteer Systems Are Becoming Smarter and More Connected
Autosteer retrofit systems are evolving from isolated steering aids into fully connected components of digital farming ecosystems. Manufacturers are prioritizing seamless data exchange between in‑cab displays and cloud‑based farm management platforms, eliminating USB‑stick transfers. New high‑performance displays serve as central...
.png?height=635&t=1777378575&width=1200)
Opinion: Phosphite Offers a Regenerative Path Out of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Trap
U.S. policymakers are scrambling to stabilize fertilizer markets amid soaring prices and supply shortages. Dr. Mike Gilbert argues phosphite, derived from phosphate rock, can cut phosphorus fertilizer use by up to 50%, delivering cost savings and supply resilience. The technology...
"European Consumers Prefer Mediterranean-Grown Watermelons over Long-Distance Alternatives"
Polish importer PIK Global reports a strong start to the European watermelon season, leveraging a diversified sourcing model that includes Turkey, Albania, Greece, Hungary, Romania and early shipments from Spain. The company expects healthy crops and competitive pricing, with early‑season...
Moroccan Tomato Exports Halted as Strike and Supply Concerns Grow
Moroccan authorities have suspended tomato exports, prompting exporters to halt operations. Exporters argue the ban won’t lower prices and points to deeper supply‑chain problems, while consumer groups demand priority for domestic availability amid rising food costs. The dispute threatens farmer...
Ontario Storage Vegetables Still Shipping
Ontario storage vegetables, including cello and jumbo carrots, are expected to ship through May with solid quality, a marked improvement over last year’s early spoilage. Parsnips should remain high‑quality until June, while yellow storage onions will be abundant through June...
ExpoLevante Níjar Exhibitors Show Innovations for a Sustainable Spanish Industry
Spain’s 17th ExpoLevante Níjar, held near Cabo de Gata Natural Park, highlighted the greenhouse sector that drives Almería’s fruit and vegetable export dominance. The indoor exhibition was fully booked, featuring seed firms, input suppliers, and cooperatives, while outdoor areas displayed machinery....
China Now Holds 75% of Gene-Edited Seed Patents as Europe Moves to Loosen NGT Rules
China now commands roughly three‑quarters of all gene‑edited seed patents, with 16,177 filings in 2024—five times the EU total. The European Union is moving to loosen its New Genomic Techniques (NGT) rules, introducing a flexible NGT 1 category that avoids the...
400 Million Crates, 2.5 Billion Uses: Inside IFCO's Global RPC Network
At Fruit Logistica 2026, IFCO Systems unveiled its 2030 roadmap, emphasizing a global reusable packaging network that now runs 400 million crates and logs 2.5 billion uses each year. The German‑based firm highlighted its folding‑crate innovation, ESG pillars, and a target to...
How to Electrify Greenhouses with Semi-Transparent PV, Heat Pumps
Canadian researchers at Western University demonstrated that 69%‑transparent crystalline silicon semi‑transparent photovoltaic (STPV) modules raise tomato greenhouse yields by up to 38% while providing beneficial partial shading. Simulations using EnergyPlus, Python and SAM showed that pairing these rooftop STPV panels...
A Brussels Moat: Can European Regulation Work for Founders?
The article argues that Europe’s sweeping AI and ESG regulations—particularly the EU AI Act, CSRD, CSDDD, and EUDR—can create a “Brussels moat” that benefits deep‑tech agrifood startups. By mandating auditable, high‑risk AI and structured sustainability reporting, the rules push corporations...
Indonesia Introduces New Quota System for Peanut Imports
Indonesia has issued a Ministerial Regulation imposing a new quota on peanut imports, allowing non‑quota shipments only until May 7 and requiring exporters to obtain global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. The certification process can take three to six months, effectively...
Weekly Kill: NSW Cow Liquidation Now Close to Exhaustion – What Happens Next?
Cattle producers in drought‑hit northern NSW and southern Queensland have largely exhausted the regional turn‑off, with yardings at Dubbo, Gunnedah and Roma falling 1,800‑2,600 head week‑on‑week. Processors anticipate a new wave of Queensland cattle entering the market from September‑October as...
Qld Govt’s $30M Farming Innovation Fund Welcomed
The Queensland government launched the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund, committing AU$30 million (about US$20 million) to accelerate on‑farm technology development. The fund targets commercially viable solutions that boost productivity, resilience and profitability across the state’s primary industries. It aligns...
Mideast Urea Output Slumps with Lack of Fertilizer Ships to Load
The Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, halting 55‑60% of urea output in the Middle East. With roughly 45% of global urea trade sourced from Gulf facilities, the blockage has left 44 fertilizer vessels stranded and created...
South Dakota Winter Wheat “Dicey” After Late-April Freeze
A late‑April freeze in southeastern South Dakota plunged overnight temperatures to 12 °F, leaving winter wheat fields looking sick and raising concerns about frost damage. USDA’s latest crop‑progress report shows only 35% of the state’s winter wheat rated good to excellent,...
Former President of Costa Rica on De-Risking Fertilizer Shocks: How $700 Billion in Subsidies Can Do More
In 2022 the Ukraine war sent fertilizer prices soaring, and renewed Middle‑East conflicts have again pushed natural‑gas‑linked nitrogen fertilizer costs up about 40%, threatening food security. Governments worldwide spend roughly $700 billion each year on agricultural subsidies, yet only 35 cents of...
Hybrid Meat Could Outpace Pure Plant-Based on Climate Impact, Industry Expert Argues
Dr. Briony Sayers of ingredient distributor ACI Group argues that hybrid meat—products that blend up to 30% plant protein with animal meat—can deliver greater climate benefits than fully plant‑based alternatives because they require no change in consumer shopping habits. By...
Kerry Facility Expansion Helps Meet Demand for Lactose-Free Dairy
Kerry announced a major expansion of its Carrigaline, Ireland biotechnology plant, boosting industrial‑scale production of lactase enzymes. The upgraded facility now supports processing of over 2 million tonnes of milk each year, helping dairy producers meet soaring demand for lactose‑free and...
Precision Fermentation and the Shift to Designed Food Manufacturing
Precision fermentation lets food manufacturers produce proteins, enzymes and flavors using microbes, removing reliance on traditional agriculture. The technology’s primary advantage is operational control—shifting quality management upstream to design consistency rather than post‑production testing. While the market is projected to...
Greater Omaha Packing Receives Environmental Award From Meat Institute
Greater Omaha Packing Co. received the Meat Institute’s Environmental Achievement Award for its water‑conservation and wastewater‑management initiatives. The honor was presented at the Institute’s Environment, Labor, and Safety Conference. CEO Henry Davis highlighted substantial investments in treatment infrastructure and process...
Pam Marrone Targets Resistant Weeds with Cocktails of Microbial Metabolites as Bioherbicide Space Heats Up
Invasive Species Corporation (ISC), led by Pam Marrone, is developing bioherbicides that combine multiple microbial metabolites to tackle glyphosate‑resistant weeds. The company has advanced two lead candidates from greenhouse tests to extensive field trials across the Midwest and Southeast in...
India's Fertilizer Subsidy May Jump 20% as Hormuz Crisis Spikes Prices
India’s fertilizer subsidy bill is projected to jump about 20%, reaching roughly $22 billion in FY26, as the Hormuz Strait blockade pushes global nutrient prices higher. The government says retail fertilizer prices will stay unchanged despite urea costs nearly doubling. To...
Inside India’s Agricultural Labor Gap: How AgTech Is Digitizing the Farm Workforce
India’s agricultural sector relies on roughly 140 million informal laborers spread across 650,000 villages, yet there is virtually no digital record of their skills, availability, or earnings. Azhaan Merchant, CEO of Bharat Intelligence, argues that the core inefficiency is a visibility...
Opinion | Why Fresh Produce Shippers Are Quietly Moving Away From Transactional Freight Relationships
Fresh produce shippers are abandoning ad‑hoc spot‑market freight in favor of managed carrier relationships. The article highlights that 14% of food spoils—about $400 billion annually—are linked to logistics failures, and that reefer tender rejections exceeded 20% in 2024‑25. By segmenting lanes,...
Trump Is Blocking Solar for Farmers. Can the Farm Bill Fix That?
President Donald Trump halted the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), freezing nearly $1 billion in promised funds, canceling a key application window and imposing strict limits on ground‑mounted solar and foreign‑made panels. The House Farm Bill, slated for a...
Feedgrain Focus: Boat to Brisbane Likely as Northern Wheat Climbs
A 30,000‑tonne wheat cargo from South or Western Australia is expected to sail to Brisbane as Queensland’s feed‑grain deficit deepens. Traders cite delivered prices of about A$460/t (≈US$300/t) and freight of A$125/t (≈US$80/t), making WA wheat competitive for local poultry...
GPA to Host Update for SA Growers Amid High Mouse Pressure
Grain Producers Australia (GPA) will host an online update for South Australian grain growers on May 1, 2026 at 7 pm SA time to address escalating mouse pressure during the seeding window. The session will feature CSIRO researcher Steve Henry, GPA’s regional director Mark Schilling,...
New Ballarat Flour Mill on Track to Open This Year
George Weston Foods' Mauri division is set to launch its first greenfield flour mill in Ballarat later this year, boosting Victorian milling capacity to 180,000 tonnes of wheat per annum. The new facility will more than double the output of...
Bourgault Introduces Next-Generation PLDX Opener to Australian Growers
Bourgault Australia has launched the ParaLink Dual Xtreme (PLDX) opener, the latest evolution of its PLX family. The new unit adds a 1:1 dual‑knife design, reinforced arms and self‑lubricating bearings to boost seed‑placement accuracy and durability in high‑residue, compacted soils....
Soil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture
The article outlines a deepening U.S. farm crisis, with the Farm Bureau estimating nearly $100 billion in losses for the 2025‑26 cycle and per‑acre deficits ranging from $61 to $210. It highlights massive soil erosion—about 2 billion tons a year—costing roughly $12 billion...
Australia Is the World’s Fourth-Largest Black Truffle Producer. Now Scientists May Have Unearthed Why
Australia has become the world’s fourth‑largest black truffle producer, with over 400 orchards and half‑million host trees established since the 1990s. A Michigan State University study analyzed soils from 24 orchards across Europe and Australia, revealing that Australian soils host...
Thailand Pilots AI‑Enabled Custom Fertiliser Programme To Reduce Costs For Farmers
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Agriculture have launched a six‑month pilot that uses AI to create farm‑specific fertilizer blends. The system, built by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, combines...
How Indonesian Farmers Are Protecting Australia's $1b Citrus Industry
Australian researchers, through ACIAR, are funding a $1.8 million, five‑year project with Indonesian and Chinese partners to detect and control Huanglongbing (citrus greening) in Java. The initiative trains local farmers to spot the Asian citrus psyllid, the disease’s primary vector, and...
Climate-Resilient Farming in the Age of Extremes
India’s agriculture, which employs 42 % of the workforce and adds 18 % to GDP, is facing record climate volatility. Unseasonal rain and hail affected 29 of the first 38 pre‑monsoon days across 24 states, and March saw crop damage on 65,000...
Tech Now
On April 25, 2026 Tech Now launched a slate of 30 new episodes, each lasting roughly 24‑25 minutes. The series spans topics from AI avatars and climate‑courtroom science to heritage restoration at Blenheim Palace and the latest phone innovations from...
Investing in the Agri-Food Transition: Climate-Aligned, Water-Resilient Strategies that Create Value for Investors and Nature
The Sustainable Water Impact Fund (SWIF), a $1 billion partnership between RRG Capital Management and The Nature Conservancy, is targeting the accelerating agri‑food transition in premium crop regions. By financing climate‑aligned, water‑resilient projects, the fund aims to protect land quality, secure...
Farmer Finance: What Agriculture’s Working Capital Shift Reveals for B2B
The FDIC’s 2026 Risk Review reveals a fundamental shift in agribusiness financing, moving from income‑based lending to collateral‑based structures that lean on farmland equity. Farmers with weak cash flow are still securing credit by pledging land and other tangible assets,...
Trump Admin Eyes New Fertilizer Plants, a Fix to Address High Fertilizer Costs
The Trump administration announced a push to expand U.S. nitrogen fertilizer production, aiming to cut permitting timelines and build new plants within three years. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the effort will target the country’s reliance on Russian and Chinese...
Global Briefing: Investment Secured for 'World-First' Green Fertiliser Plant in Paraguay
British clean‑tech developer Atome announced it has secured financing to build the world’s first industrial‑scale green fertiliser plant in Paraguay. The facility will generate ammonia‑based fertiliser using renewable hydrogen powered by the country’s abundant hydroelectric grid. By replacing fossil‑fuel‑derived inputs,...
2026 Q1 AgTech Venture Capital Investment and Exit Round Up
In Q1 2026, AgTech venture capital activity remained steady but modest, with 163 startups raising $1.89 billion—a 9% drop in total capital and an 8% decline in deal count versus Q4 2025. The average round size held at $11.6 million. Funding was skewed by...
Ventisqueros CCO: Sustainability Remains Integral Part of Company DNA
Ventisqueros, the Chilean salmon farmer owned by Germany’s Schörghuber Group, is deepening its sustainability agenda, highlighted by its E‑Site fish‑farming center that runs entirely on certified renewable energy. The firm reports cutting diesel use by more than 200,000 liters and...