AgFunder Network Partners

Category: Guest Commentary

Investment in data integration is crucial for companies in the agricultural supply chain

November 20, 2023

Connecting valuable data, whether it’s coming from an animal, a truck or an input is the crucial first step.

Castor oil from castor beans can serve as a biofuel, says Casterra

Can biofuel crops help lift poor farmers out of poverty?

November 14, 2023

Encouraging the adoption of biofuels such as castor could boost incomes for farmers in rural Africa, claims Casterra.

Policy must reward — not punish — early adopters of soil health

October 23, 2023

Current policies in Canada around no-till farming and soil health disregard contributions of the early adopters for being early adopters.

How connectivity can solve the challenge of hunger for more food-insecure households in America

October 17, 2023

AgriNovus Indiana launched its HungerTech Innovation Challenge to address food insecurity through technology.

Bytes to Bites part three – Wellness wired: Leveraging AI to digitize nutrition and health

October 12, 2023

AI is transforming everything from materials discovery and new product development to customer service. But what does it mean for nutrition and health?

Aussie agtech startups shaping the future of carbon capture

October 9, 2023

Australian startups are working hard to change the way we monitor, manage and report soil carbon sequestration.

AI harvest: Transforming agriculture through technological evolution

September 26, 2023

How will artificial intelligence impact the future of farming? From disease and pest forecasting to precision insurance, SP Ventures explores AI in agriculture.

Mercy Corps Ventures pilots the blockchain to get cash transfers to communities ahead of climate shock

September 25, 2023

Mercy Corps Ventures is testing blockchain to get cash transfers to pastoral communities in Africa ahead of climate shocks.

Ancient grains need modern solutions: how sorghum and millets can nourish a climate-era world

September 18, 2023

Realizing the vast potential of ancient grains to sustainably nourish billions will require collective action across sectors.

Creative financing is the key to helping more farmers deploy industry-saving solutions

September 12, 2023

Many farmers are open to agtech innovation, but current financing structures hold them back from adoption.

For the love of poop, rebrand your microbiome startup!

September 7, 2023

The ever-popular gut microbiome sector must create a run-to-poop future that moves beyond just science and into storytelling.

Why we need bio-agriculture to help feed the world while reducing chemical usage

August 24, 2023

Bio-agriculture integrates conventional and natural farming, reducing farmers’ and consumers’ health imbalance and risks.

Can we modify EAT-Lancet’s ‘planetary health diet’ to be nutritionally adequate and environmentally friendly?

July 3, 2023

The landmark EAT–Lancet Commission’s ‘planetary health diet’ would improve food security, decrease noncommunicable diseases and reduce the environmental impact of food. But is has two problems, claims Ty Beal.

Africa’s next leap forward (part 2): Biomanufacturing in focus

June 26, 2023

Biomanufacturing has big potential to support the industrialization and economic prosperity goals of African nations. says Saron Berhane.

Africa’s next leap forward (part 1): Agrifoodtech startups to watch, from Cupmena to Aerobotics

June 19, 2023

Investment in agrifoodtech will be key to the stable, sustainable and prosperous development of Africa, says Saron Berhane.

How the Croptix platform is changing plant nutrition and disease monitoring

June 14, 2023

AEA’s John Kempf on why his company led the recent seed round for US-based precision agriculture startup Croptix.

Women entrepreneurs are a missed opportunity in venture capital. Here’s how investors and policymakers can change that

June 5, 2023

VCs need to put more money into women entrepreneurs as a path to profit and impact, and to generate better returns.

The food sector is not on track to meet climate targets. Here is what will help

June 2, 2023

Some of the largest food companies have set ambitious climate targets for 2030 and 2040, but they are not on track to reach them, says Kenny Fahey at Leading Harvest.

Rise of the machines: What will drive adoption of robotics and automation in specialty crops?

May 30, 2023

Rice and wheat are harvested with combine harvesters. Yet strawberries are still picked by hand at a time when growers are facing rising labor costs and serious labor shortages. So why aren’t we seeing more mechanization being deployed for specialty crops?