Latest Trends in Farming Technology

From transgene-free gene editing to skyscraper tomatoes 🧬🍅 As someone who works closely with innovators at the intersection of science, business, and intellectual property, I love to track the breakthroughs shaping the next generation of agriculture. Here are five bold developments from the last five(ish) months: 1. Virus-delivered gene editing UCLA + UC Berkeley engineered a CRISPR-like tool (ISYmu1) that edits plant genomes without leaving foreign DNA - using a virus as the delivery vehicle. No tissue culture, no transgene, just precision. 📍 Nature Plants https://lnkd.in/eW8xmpJJ 2. Climate-smart breeding meets genebanks By combining environmental data with global seed bank genomics, researchers are predicting which sorghum varieties will thrive in future climates - no multi-year field trials required. 📍 Nature Climate Change https://lnkd.in/eSyDUEpa 3. Nitrogen-fixing microbes for corn Pivot Bio + Univ. of Illinois used CRISPR to enhance soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nutrients - cutting the need for synthetic fertilizer while maintaining yield. 📍 Agronomy Journal https://lnkd.in/ezj4y3ZP 4. Bioreactors for whole-cut cultivated meat University of Tokyo’s perfused hollow-fiber system enables centimeter-thick cuts of lab-grown chicken muscle - bringing us closer to steak-scale cellular agriculture. 📍 Trends in Biotechnology https://lnkd.in/ekTzn2au 5. Gene-edited micro tomatoes for vertical farms Phytoform Labs reimagined tomato plants with AI and gene editing to produce full-size fruit on 1/6-scale vines - perfect for dense, resource-efficient vertical farming. 📍 Greentown Labs https://lnkd.in/ezB2mnvS Each of these breakthroughs reflects what excites me most about this field: the ingenuity, the grit, and the long-view thinking it takes to bring transformative science to life. Throwing it back this Thursday with a photo of me in the growth chamber ~2017 🌱

In an era where land and water resources are increasingly scarce, the future of agriculture is looking up - literally. Vertical farming, specifically through aeroponic systems, is changing how we grow food, enabling higher yields in smaller spaces with remarkable efficiency. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬? Aeroponics is a farming technique where plants' roots hang in the air in a semi-closed environment and are periodically sprayed with a nutrient-rich solution. This method is central to vertical farming structures, commonly known as Tower Gardens, which stack plant rows vertically to maximize production in confined spaces. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Water Conservation: Aeroponics uses up to 95% less water than traditional soil farming, a critical benefit in drought-prone regions. - Space Efficiency: Compared to even space-efficient hydroponics, aeroponics requires 80% less space, making it ideal for urban settings where horizontal land is limited. - Energy and Resource Efficiency: These systems have a low energy footprint and significantly reduce the need for pesticides, aligning with sustainable farming practices. - Enhanced Nutrient Profiles: Crops grown in aeroponic systems are not only richer in nutrients but also boast higher levels of antioxidants than those grown in soil. - Versatility: Tower Farms can be implemented in a variety of settings, including outdoors, greenhouses, indoors under LED lights, or even on rooftops, making them adaptable to different environmental conditions and urban architectures. Urban centers, which have traditionally relied on rural areas for produce, can host these vertical farms. This shift not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food but also increases the freshness and availability of produce in city settings. How do you see vertical farming impacting urban development and food security in the coming years? Could aeroponics be the key to sustainability in agriculture? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

In Washington’s Palouse region, fifth-generation farmer Andrew Nelson is running a 7,500-acre wheat farm while on Zoom calls. His tractor drives itself, guided by AI, sensors, and cameras that decide where to fertilize, spray, or weed. This isn’t an isolated story. Farming is entering a new era: 🚜 Autonomous tractors & sprayers from companies like Deere and Monarch are cutting herbicide use by up to 66%. 🚜 Robotic fruit pickers & drones (Oishii’s Tortuga robot, Tevel’s flying harvesters) are easing labor shortages. 🚜 Data-driven “digital twins” of farms are helping farmers target irrigation and pest control with precision. 🚜 Virtual fencing is changing livestock management with GPS-enabled collars. The goal? Smarter, more sustainable farming—optimizing every drop of water and every seed, while letting farmers focus on strategy, not hours in the cab. As Microsoft’s Ranveer Chandra puts it, “Every time a drone flies or a tractor plants, it’s updating the farm’s own AI model.” The autonomous farm won’t replace farmers—it will amplify them. And it’s happening faster than you think. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEeW7zef

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🍓🫐 The Homegrown Innovation Challenge by THE WESTON FAMILY FOUNDATION is redefining how Canada grows fresh berries year-round—and these 11 innovative teams are leading the way! 🌍💡 Using AI-driven automation, agrivoltaics, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and space-inspired farming, these pioneers are scaling up their game-changing solutions. With support from industry leaders like Mucci Farms, Argus Control Systems, Sollum Technologies, Fieldless, Vertiberry and many more, these teams are driving Canada’s sustainable food future. 🇨🇦 🚀𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮: 🌱 True North Berries (University of Ottawa) – CO₂ capture, microbiome optimization & aeroponics for high-efficiency strawberry production. 🤖 Kwantlen Polytechnic University – AI-powered greenhouses + robotic pest control for pesticide-free strawberries & blackberries. 🫐 Simon Fraser University – High-intensity indoor blueberry farming + gene editing to create compact, high-yield plants. ⚡ Western University – Agrivoltaics combining solar power & berry production to boost sustainability & efficiency. 🌿 Université Laval – Energy-efficient controlled environment agriculture facilities (EE-CEAF) for year-round strawberry farming in cold climates. 🏗️ Ontario Tech University – Autonomous greenhouse systems using AI, real-time monitoring & automation to optimize berry yields. 🍓 University of Guelph (Dixon Team) – Space-agriculture inspired hybrid greenhouse farming for high-density, resource-efficient strawberries. 🔬 Collège Boréal – Small-scale, cost-effective greenhouse solutions tailored for rural and remote communities. 🚜 Toronto Metropolitan University – Multilayer iGrow vertical farming systems + AI monitoring for raspberries & blackberries. 🌾 University of Guelph (Zheng Team) – Seasonal strawberry optimization using CEA + field farming to extend the growing season. 🏡 Bishop’s University – Sustainable, climate-resilient greenhouse production for year-round Canadian berries. With these teams and partners leading the charge, Canada is on the path to a more resilient, sustainable, and high-tech agricultural future! 🌎🚜 Which innovation excites you the most? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #Agriculture #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #BerryFarming #ControlledEnvironmentAg #GreenTech #AgInnovation

My fellow African farmers, if Israelis can produce food in such a harsh environment (desert), what is our excuse? Israel’s agricultural landscape is a testament to how innovation can transform even the most challenging conditions. In a country where water scarcity and arid climates prevail, advanced techniques such as mechanized agriculture and state-of-the-art irrigation systems have played a pivotal role in boosting productivity. One groundbreaking development is drip irrigation—a technology that delivers water directly to the plant roots. This method not only minimizes water loss through evaporation and runoff but also ensures that crops receive a consistent and optimal water supply. Drip irrigation has enabled Israel to conserve water effectively, often reducing consumption by up to 50% compared to traditional methods, thus making the cultivation of diverse crops in desert conditions a reality. Mechanized agriculture further elevates productivity by incorporating modern machinery and automation into farming practices. In Israel, precision farming tools are widely used to monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health in real-time. This data-driven approach allows for the accurate application of fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring that each plant receives the exact resources it needs for optimal growth. Automated harvesters, tractors, and other machinery reduce the reliance on manual labor, streamline operations, and boost overall efficiency. In contrast, many African farmers still rely on traditional, labor-intensive methods due to limited access to modern technology, capital, and infrastructural support. However, there are ongoing initiatives and international collaborations aimed at transferring these advanced techniques to African agriculture. Programs that focus on mechanization, efficient irrigation, and capacity building are gradually empowering local farmers, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable economic growth across the continent.

As #ArtificialIntelligence makes its way into agriculture, we could be witnessing a new #GreenRevolution. Nourishing a global population on track to reach 10 billion by 2050 is a monumental challenge. More than just producing more food, this challenge requires us to prepare for the adverse effects of #ClimateChange, resource scarcity, and shifting global dynamics. Here's how #AI is emerging as a valuable tool in reshaping agriculture: #PrecisionAgriculture: AI-driven systems are enabling hyper-localized farming practices, optimizing everything from water usage to fertilizer application. #ClimateAdaptiveFarming: #MachineLearning is helping farmers with weather patterns, suggesting optimal planting times and crop rotations based on climate data. #VerticalFarming: #AIControlledEnvironments are making it possible to grow food in urban centers, reducing transportation costs and increasing food security in cities. #PredictiveAnalytics: From anticipating pest outbreaks to forecasting market demands, AI is giving farmers the tools to make proactive decisions. AI can integrate these aspects into a cohesive, responsive system. Imagine a future where: Satellite imagery, weather data, and soil sensors feed into AI systems that adjust irrigation and nutrient delivery. Robotic harvesters work alongside humans, guided by AI to pick the ripest produce. AI-driven #SupplyChainManagement ensures that food reaches consumers with minimal waste. However, these developments also lead to many important questions. How do we ensure small-scale farmers benefit from these advancements? What are the implications for biodiversity when AI optimizes for efficiency, and how do we balance increased food production with environmental sustainability? One thing is certain, like the internet, AI is one of those technological leaps that are impossible to ignore. It is now up to us to help shape the direction it takes for the benefit of our civilization. #AIinAgriculture #FutureOfFarming #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgro #ThoughtLeadershipFromEncora

🌾💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝗟𝗘, 𝗣𝗔𝘄𝗥, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗪𝗦 𝗜𝗼𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴! 🌾 We hear a lot about IoT in agriculture, but have you heard of PAwR (Periodic Advertising with Responses)? It’s a game-changing feature of Bluetooth Low Energy that deserves way more attention. Here’s why: 👉 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: PAwR lets BLE sensors send data at regular intervals while sipping minimal power, making them perfect for remote fields. 👉 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Need to connect hundreds or even thousands of sensors across your farm? PAwR handles that effortlessly without draining batteries or causing data congestion. 👉 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Despite being ultra-efficient, PAwR keeps data flowing smoothly, giving farmers timely insights to make smart decisions. 👉 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: The ability to use Coded PHY with PAwR makes it even more compelling for long-range outdoor use cases. 💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗴: 1️⃣ 𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝚂𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚜: PAwR powers our soil moisture and climate sensors, ensuring they run for years without needing new batteries. 2️⃣ 𝙲𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝙶𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚠𝚊𝚢: Manages sensor data efficiently and sends it to AWS IoT Core for analysis. 3️⃣ 𝙰𝚆𝚂 𝙸𝚘𝚃 𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚎: Turns that data into actionable insights, like when to irrigate or adjust farming practices. 🚀 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: • Conserve Resources: Less water wasted, more efficient crop management. • Lower Costs: Fewer battery replacements and less maintenance. • Bigger Yields: Healthier crops with data-driven precision. 🔗 Curious about how PAwR transforms agriculture? Check out the infographic for more details! 👉 PAwR might be underrated now, but it’s the future of efficient IoT! Have you used it or thought about it for your projects? Let me know in the comments 👇 CC: Bluetooth SIG #IoT #SmartFarming #BLE #PAwR #AWSIoT #AgTech #Innovation

Even before the full impact of President Trump’s immigration policies is known, it is apparent that the agriculture sector, particularly the more labor-intensive specialty and permanent crop sectors, is rapidly moving toward adopting more automation & robotics and digital technologies. Evidence of this is Jackie Snow’s recent The Wall Street Journal article “AI Comes to the Apple Orchard—From Pollinating to Picking”. The article discusses how Apple orchards, which have always relied on human workers and bees, have started using robots to automate various processes. Furthermore, a growing number of companies have developed and validated new technologies, including specialized robots and automation for each stage of apple production, from pollinating the trees to fertilizing them, pruning them and harvesting the fruit. This change is happening throughout the whole specialty and permanent crop sector, which has lagged behind row crops in adoption of automation & robotics due to layout, spacing, and fragility of the crops. However, labor availability, costs and turnover are making automation & robotics a necessity for long-term survival. For some time now, I have discussed how low-skill, low-cost labor no longer exists, especially in places like my home state of California, where businesses are struggling to pay the minimum wage, while keeping down costs. The only way for growers to remain economically viable is to adopt automation & robotics and digital technologies. https://lnkd.in/gMbjVysz EcoTech Capital Cy Obert AgTech Alchemy #agtech; #digitalagriculture; #ai; #robotics; #automation; #precisionagriculture; #sustainableag

When you’re working to revolutionize the $9B global seed market, you don’t just show up with big talk—you show up with precision tools, deep science, and a funding round that turns heads. Inari, with Ponsi Trivisvavet on CEO duties, just pulled in a $144M Series G, proving that the future of #farming isn’t just about feeding the world but doing it smarter, faster, and with fewer resources. This isn’t business as usual—it’s the kind of chess game that makes even the skeptics sit up and take notes. Let’s talk investors. Heavy hitters like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and a major financial powerhouse have thrown down serious confidence capital. And they’re not alone—longtime believers like Hanwha Impact Partners, NGS Super, the State of Michigan Retirement System, and the ever-influential Flagship Pioneering doubled down. That’s not just cash; that’s an endorsement of Inari’s place in the agtech big leagues. So what’s the magic? Inari’s proprietary SEEDesign™ platform isn’t just another buzzword generator. It’s the kind of tech that makes nature sit up and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” With AI-powered #predictivedesign and #multiplex #geneediting, they’re rewriting genetic blueprints for #soy, #corn, and #wheat to increase yield and slash resource use. We’re talking up to 20% more yield with less water and nitrogen. That’s like turning up the volume while cutting the power bill—a move every farmer on the planet wants in on. And let’s not ignore the market strategy. Inari doesn’t want to be your competition; they want to be your secret weapon. Their asset-light model works hand-in-hand with seed companies rather than bulldozing them, giving the little guys a shot at thriving alongside the titans. It’s bold, it’s collaborative, and it’s exactly what this industry needs. Of course, the agtech road isn’t without its potholes. Inari’s legal face-off with Corteva over patents reminds us that innovation often comes with resistance. But let’s be real—when you’re moving this fast, you’re bound to ruffle some feathers. And with $720M in total funding and a valuation climbing to $2.17B, Inari has the resources to play this long game. But here’s the bigger picture: Inari isn’t just solving today’s problems; they’re planting solutions for tomorrow. As climate pressures grow, the #agsector needs to evolve—or risk collapse. Inari’s approach is like a Swiss Army knife for #sustainablefarming, addressing food security, resource scarcity, and economic viability all at once. So, what happens when a Cambridge startup with global ambitions lines up the kind of tech and talent that can redefine an industry? Let’s just say the seeds have been planted, and the future of agriculture is looking a whole lot greener. #Startups #AgTech #StartupFunding #Innovation #SeedDesign #SustainableFarming #FarmTech #Agriculture #Technology #Disruption #GreaterGood #CleanTech #TechEcosystem #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital

AgTech Ecosystem - slide 4 of the "labor-automation-Peru-innovator" deck. I will link to the main post for the whole deck in the first comment. This slide summarizes what's going on with specialty crop automation. Recall the ag labor number is high ($16.3B/yr for 850M hours in CA) and the forecast is that CA will lose 32% of acres (9M) and 51% of farmers (45k) from 1997-2052. Much of the acreage loss is because of the challenges CA farmers face related to labor. The most likely solution to labor challenges is automation. 1) Current sales forecast (which Ben Palone and I try and track) is for $150-200M in automation sales for 2024 from multiple contributors and for three years (2024-2026) the current forecast is $700-800M. That number is likely to increase over the next year. 2) Where is automation having success? Weeding robots continue to deliver good performance at economics that work for growers, particularly Carbon Robotics (laser weeder) and Stout Industrial Technology, Inc. (mechanical weeder), with FarmWise in the one to watch category as they shift from service to capital equipment sales. Spray robots are also delivering quality results for growers, particularly GUSS Automation and Ecorobotix (one to watch as they shift from service to capital equipment sales). All solutions mentioned above range from $240,000 to $1.4M each. In the small robot category, Burro and Farm-ng lead in volume with robots that range from $10-25k depending on size and accessories (Burro offers 3 sizes of Burro and a mower robot). 3) Where are we struggling? Harvest, which represents 60-75% of hours for specialty crops, especially crops like strawberries which have high hour counts required and up to 90% of hours are spent on a long harvest season. 4) There are some recent activity highlights worth mentioning. John Deere has purchased Smart Apply®, Inc. and Bear Flag Robotics in the past few years and has done a joint venture with GUSS Automation. CNH has acquired Raven Industries and a stake in Stout Industrial Technology, Inc. Kubota Corporation acquired Bloomfield All of these transactions are good for the space. Automation is difficult to achieve an IPO from a revenue or revenue growth perspective, so M&A is the most likely exit outcome for startups. Anything that increases strategic investment or M&A activity tends to increase conversations around both of those activity sets from both sides of the table. 5) Carbon Robotics' recent investors included NVIDIA as a strategic investment with a board seat (each weeder uses 24 GPUs) and an ex-Sequoia partner from BOND took a board seat. With their recent $70M raise, the total raised for Carbon Robotics is over $150M. Having any key player successfully fund raise helps validate the space. Next up - VC challenges. Rhishi P. Sachi Desai Rob Trice Tim Nuss Norm Groot Jynel Gularte Rob Dongoski Carter Williams Danny Bernstein Damian Mason Todd Thurman