SOS! The Food System Needs a New Soil Operating System
Clearly, our food system needs to change, radically and quickly, and we have to start at its foundation: the soil, writes Victor Friedberg.
Category Archives: Opinion
Meet the Largest Multi-State Cannabis Company You’ve Never Heard Of
Grassroots Cannabis operates in seven states and plans to add two more states to its roster by the end of the year, as a vertically integrated grower, processor and retailer of branded cannabis products.
Tesco’s Head of Agriculture: Controlling Water Quality is a Key Issue No One is Innovating For
We can spend a lot of money on feed rations, but if the animal’s gut integrity is wrong because of bacteria in the water line, that nutrition is wasted and is also a welfare issue, says Barney Kay, head of agriculture at Tesco.
Bayer’s Percy: Agritech is Maturing as Startups Attract Senior Execs and Ag Corps Look to Collaborate
Adrian Percy is the former head of R&D at Bayer, recently stepping down and becoming the company’s technology ambassador. Ahead of his speaking slot at World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London next week, we caught up with Percy to find out more about the role and his views on the development of the agritech startup market.
How the UK is Becoming a Global Leader in Agritech
With highly skilled talent in many disciplines from animal and plant sciences to land management, the UK has a proven ability to develop and market new technologies.
The Gaps and Opportunities for Agribusiness Technology in Latin America
If global agricultural production needs to grow by 60% by 2050 to meet global demand, Latin America’s production needs to grow by 80%, according to its market participation and growth potential, write Ciro Echesortu.
Cannabis Stock Volatility is “Dangerous for the Industry” says GrowLife CEO
The cannabis industry has become a major headliner in recent news with the dramatic increase in the share price of cannabis companies with commentators asking if the industry is heading for a dot.com bubble style burst.
10 Years in Agtech: Ag Innovation Showcase’s Rohit Shukla Shares Thoughts on Future of Food
We grapple with the future of food, now more than ever, writes Rohit Shukla.
Flagship Pioneering GP Martinez: We’ve Benefitted from Mega-Mergers in Agriculture
"We’ve been lucky with what's been going on in the agriculture industry with the major acquisitions," Ignacio Martinez from Flagship Pioneering tells AgFunderNews.
As Ag Corporates Survey the Territory, Latin American Startups Have the High Ground
Ag corporates in Latin America are sitting in the passenger seat instead of behind the wheel when it comes to agtech innovation and investment, writes Emma Cosgrove.
EXCLUSIVE: AgDNA and CNH Industrial Partner to Bring AI to Agriculture
AgDNA has partnered with CNH Industrial to give its customers access to AgDNA’s AI-enabled technology platform. Paul Turner writes about the partnership and the increasing interest in AI by major equipment manufacturers.
The Opportunity for External Innovation and Science Advancement in Animal Health
TechAccel has partnered with Reliance Animal Health Partners to launch Covenant Animal Health Partners. We asked CEO Michael Helmstetter to explain the partnership.
What’s Next for Agtech?
In the second in a two-part series, Barclay Rogers illustrates the core themes in farm tech adoption to-date and predicts the next phase in farm tech development.
The EU will become the “Museum of Agriculture,” says Leading Agtech Entrepreneur
Agricultural futurist Robert Saik is a professional agrologist and certified agricultural consultant who founded Agri-Trend which was acquired by Trimble in 2015.
How Agtech Has Quietly Transformed Agriculture During the Downturn
It’s been a long, dark period in the agriculture industry since corn prices tumbled almost five years ago, but something magical has occurred: agtech has emerged as the dominant theme in a rapidly reshaping agricultural economy, writes Barclay Rogers.
Embracing Digital Agriculture: Coffee’s Fourth Wave?
Shuchi Nijhawan, VP of agriculture at Eka, writes about the adoption of digital agriculture in the coffee industry, particularly in India.
Bioceres CEO: Business Model Innovation is Key for Conservative Ag Industry
"Trying to be the "new Monsanto" or the "Amazon of Ag" does not work; copying what others have already done is not generally a recipe for disruption," argues Federico Trucco, CEO of Argentine agtech business Bioceres.
11 Ways AgriFood Startups Can Access Grant Funding Worth $1bn in Canada
The government of Canada has a strategic approach to the agriculture and agrifood industries. Currently, Ottawa is investing C$3 billion over a five-year period, writes Aateka Rajab.
Agrofy Founders: We Have Great, Creative Entrepreneurs in Argentina, But This is a Long Race
"Always prioritize building a great team and bringing on great partners," say Maximiliano Landrein and Alejandro Larosa, founders of the online agribusiness marketplace. "This is a long race and to have the right people on board is vital."
Argentina’s Minister for Entrepreneurs Places Focus on Agtech For Country’s ‘Avant-Garde Farmers’
The government of President Mauricio Macri, who took office in 2015, is working hard to open up its markets and attract investment from overseas and the agriculture and venture capital industries are a key part of that policy.