Latest news with #AgriTech
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AI In Agri-Food: Hype, Hope And The Hard Questions CEOs Must Ask Now
Aidan Connolly, President, AgriTech Capital, is a food/feed/farm futurologist and author of the book The Future of Agriculture. Few subjects exercise a room of food and agribusiness executives as much as Artificial Intelligence: is it a transformative opportunity or a disruptive threat? As a speaker, panelist and contributor, I am a reluctant participant. How do you avoid vague generalities or lofty predictions when trying to capture and evaluate a moment of profound change? AI isn't just another technological wave—it's a bullet train, accelerating past at such speed that most of us are left observing from the platform. I've experienced this firsthand. My book, The Future of Agriculture, was released just weeks before ChatGPT launched, and everything in the business world changed. Its absence from the book is evidence that even the most future-focused work can age overnight. AgriTech Capital and LSC International decided to tackle the question head-on by harnessing the collective expertise of 40 experts in the field. Using the Delphi Technique of research, we conducted interviews with experts in AI, food and agriculture. They were grouped into AI specialists (with an interest in Agri-Food) and food and agribusiness leaders (with interests in applications of AI). The interviews were framed by five top-of-mind questions designed to elicit candid insights into what drives urgency and innovation in the field. We released here a more detailed review of the survey results. The questions we asked our experts were direct and pragmatic: • How will AI transform the business of food and agribusiness? • Which jobs and positions are likely to be the most disrupted? • What advice would you give CEOs to prepare for this? • Do you have any concerns about the use of AI in business? • What actions should a CEO take in the next 6 months on AI? We also created a virtual panel of experts to simulate a debate between these different perspectives, to see how AI might change or affect the sector. We separated the interviews into the 'outside-in' perspective from AI specialists and the 'inside-out' view from food and agribusiness leaders and compared these. Our analysis showed that: Optimism With Purpose: Most experts were extremely positive about the potential of AI to address challenges in the current food system, including improving affordability, reducing waste, precision in nutrient use for plants and animals and improving climate resilience. Skepticism About the Hype: There is concern that consulting groups are leading the hype and monetizing sophisticated algorithms that are still far from delivering on the broader promise of sentient intelligence. Need for Leadership: All participants were clear on the urgent need for executives to respond to the changes, noting, "the genie's out of the bottle now." Insider Incrementalism: Industry insiders were pragmatic, seeing AI as a tool to improve data collection and analysis. Sensors, IOT devices, robotics, cameras, etc., will allow farmers and food producers to make better, more accurate decisions in real time, particularly the challenges of labor shortages in the food industry. Transformational Outsiders: In contrast, 'outsider' AI experts saw potential for systemic shifts, such as predictive financial modeling that could lead to more predictable yields, less market volatility, better management of weather issues, etc., in turn allowing producers and growers to get better credit terms. Compared Human Insights To A Virtual Panel: Asking ChatGPT the same five questions, and creating a virtual panel of agriculture experts was eye-opening, and despite not being perfect, both were quite accurate in replicating the collective wisdom of our human experts. Hallucination Risks: Although much has been made of the potential of AI to create 'hallucinations' (completely false or invented information), we found no evidence of them in the AI-generated responses. The Human Factor: Our experts contributed context, highlighting the real-world complexities of agriculture (dust, moisture, pests, unpredictability, etc.), which can defeat even perfect datasets. The people experts also emphasized the importance of the human context in creating understanding, education and persuasion through communication. A personal interaction or humor can drive change better than dry facts. AI presents both potential and real risks, particularly in the realm of data security. Is your proprietary data secure from hacking or cyber threats? Do you own your own data and how do you ensure that confidential and proprietary information is not being used to sell products back to you, or—worse—to competitors. AI is like a conveyor belt, continuously in motion. The challenge for leaders is to invest effectively in order to stay relevant and ahead of the game. The Expert Playbook: Five Recommendations For Food & Agri CEOs First, Fix Your Data: Prioritize the integrity of your data—before deploying AI. Collect, collate and clean your data and know what you have before you start. Pilot With A Purpose: Start with manageably sized, targeted pilot projects that address specific internal challenges first. No Exemption For Executives: AI is not an IT issue; it is a leadership issue. Senior executives need to develop AI literacy in order to understand both the technology and the strategic applications. Become informed about AI and the best immediate AI opportunities in your business. Insiders Over Outsiders: External experts can be valuable but are not a substitute for building internal competency within your own operation. Minimize the need for outside experts. Now Or Never: This message was unanimous: you can't wait. The pace of change is exponential, and early movers will define the competitive landscape. If AI is the most transformative technology of the last century, then the complexity of the food and farming sector may be its biggest challenge. The collective wisdom of our thirty-six experts offers practical insights into how to navigate the challenge and create a stronger, more resilient and sustainable future for food production and agriculture. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
DisrupTech Ventures backs Nigerian agri-fintech startup Winich Farms
Lagos, Nigeria – DisrupTech Ventures, one of Egypt's leading early-stage fintech funds, has announced its first pan-African investment in Nigerian startup Winich Farms, a fast-growing Agri-Tech that is transforming access to markets and credit for smallholder farmers across Nigeria. The investment forms part of Winich's Pre-Series A round. Lagos-based Winich is addressing the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria's agriculture sector, market fragmentation and lack of financial inclusion. Despite agriculture contributing 21% of Nigeria's GDP and employing millions, smallholder farmers—who make up 80% of the farming population and produce 90% of output—remain largely excluded from modern supply chains and financial systems. Commenting on their debut international investment, Mohamed Okasha, Managing Partner at DisrupTech Ventures, stated: 'Our investment in Winich reflects our conviction in the potential of Nigeria's agri-fintech sector and the scalability of its model. Winich is not only solving real problems for smallholder farmers but doing so with a scalable model. Agriculture is also core to Egypt's economy, and we look forward to sharing insights and best practices between both markets as Winich grows across the continent.' From his side, Attai Riches, CEO and Co-founder of Winich Farms, added: 'We are excited to welcome DisrupTech Ventures on board as we enter our next phase of growth. Their experience in scaling early-stage fintechs will be invaluable as we strengthen our operations, empower more farmers, and explore expansion opportunities across Africa and beyond. This partnership reinforces our vision to build a more inclusive and efficient agricultural value chain, starting from Nigeria and reaching out to global markets.' Against the macro backdrop which saw the surge of agri-related input costs and interest rates due to the Naira's devaluation, Winich poses as a timely and impactful solution that addresses both access to market and access to finance—two of the biggest hurdles for Nigeria's agricultural sector. Currently active in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, Winich is fast becoming a vital link between smallholder farmers and the broader agri value chain. Winich's digital platform connects over 180,000 smallholder farmers directly with off-takers such as processors and small retailers, eliminating layers of intermediaries that often erode farmers' profits. Through a countrywide network of agent collection points, the platform facilitates efficient produce aggregation and logistics without owning physical infrastructure. Their state-of-the-art Winich Cards are helping shift farmers away from cash transactions by enabling digital payments that build financial records—key to qualifying for credit in the future. In addition, Winich provides direct credit and agronomic advisory services, in partnership with Kebbi Agricultural Research Development Agency (KARDA), to help farmers scale operations and improve productivity. Looking ahead, Winich plans to leverage its success in Nigeria to scale across other African markets and explore export partnerships into the MENA region. With rising demand for reliable, traceable, and tech-enabled agricultural supply chains, Winich is well-positioned to become a continental leader in post-harvest agri-fintech solutions.
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AgriFORCE (NASDAQ: AGRI) and BlueFlare Energy™ Execute Binding Letter of Intent for 1.3MW Alberta Bitcoin Mining Deployment and AGRI Reaffirms Commitment to Augment its Bitcoin Treasury Through Bitcoin Mined From These New Locations
Landmark Collaboration Marks First Execution Under AgriFORCE's Power & Compute Initiative with Modular, Efficiency-Aligned Infrastructure Across Five Alberta Sites Vancouver, British Columbia and West Palm Beach, FL, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. ('AgriFORCE' or the 'Company') (NASDAQ: AGRI), a mission-driven technology company at the forefront of agriculture, clean energy, and decentralized computing, today announced its first deployment under the Power & Compute Initiative via a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with BlueFlare Energy™ Solutions Inc. ('BlueFlare'). The agreement outlines a deployment of 1.3 megawatts of modular, natural gas-powered Bitcoin mining infrastructure across five strategically located sites in Alberta, Canada. Deployment Overview: Five Phases Across Alberta Under the terms of the LOI, BlueFlare will lead the full-stack delivery of compute infrastructure and energy systems across the following phased sites: The total project encompasses generators and 315 Bitmain S21 Pro ASIC miners (200 TH/s per unit) and includes comprehensive site deployment, design, integration, and commissioning services. Technology Stack: Embedded Intelligence & ESG Enablement This inaugural deployment will leverage BlueFlare's proprietary platform stack to deliver intelligent and carbon-aware compute infrastructure: Complementing this is the Carbon Cube™, BlueFlare's real-time environmental telemetry system for ESG reporting, carbon credit tracking, and site-level sustainability monitoring. Strategic Execution & Exclusivity AgriFORCE has submitted a binding deposit toward the first two months of hosting and operations at the Berwyn Phase 1 site. The all-in power and hosting cost is fixed at $0.065 per kWh, excluding consumables and extraordinary repairs. The full infrastructure deployment is scheduled for completion within 90 days. AgriFORCE has secured a 90-day exclusivity window and Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on the final two phases in Hinton and future BlueFlare opportunities across Alberta and other regions. Leadership Commentary 'This project puts our Power & Compute Initiative into action with a modular, environmentally intelligent deployment across high-potential Canadian sites,' said Jolie Kahn, CEO of AgriFORCE. 'BlueFlare's integrated engineering and ESG platforms are a perfect fit for our decentralized compute vision. We're not just building hashrate—we're deploying intelligent digital assets backed by sustainable infrastructure and advanced operational visibility. The Company reaffirms its commitment to building its Bitcoin Treasury through hodling bitcoin which it mines, and to date, it has continued to hodl all bitcoin it has mined. The Company also plans to augment its bitcoin holdings through further purchases of bitcoin in the market, as capital resources permit.' Next Steps The parties intend to finalize definitive agreements—including hosting, power, and site lease arrangements—on or before June 30, 2025, with initial on-site work to commence immediately thereafter. About AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGRI) AgriFORCE is a mission-first technology company focused on unlocking innovation at the intersection of agriculture, energy, and digital infrastructure. Through its division TerraHash Digital™, the Company delivers modular mining and high-performance computing solutions powered by renewable and recovered energy. Learn more: About BlueFlare Energy™ Solutions Inc. BlueFlare is a decentralized infrastructure company specializing in mobile natural gas generation, compute deployment, and carbon-aware optimization technologies. Its platforms span blockchain, AI, emissions tracking, and energy monetization. Learn more: Follow AgriFORCE and TerraHash Digital™ AgriFORCE Social Media: TerraHash Digital™ Social Media: Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the execution and expansion of infrastructure projects, operational performance, and market growth. These statements are subject to risks including delays in deployment, regulatory uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and power cost fluctuations. Refer to AgriFORCE's SEC filings for a full risk discussion. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. Investor Contact: AgriFORCE Investor Relations +1-561-717-1742
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AI, Blockchain, And Drones Unite In The AgriTech Revolution
Drones, combined with blockchain and AI, are changing AgriTech. What if drones, AI, and blockchain could reshape the way we feed the world—starting in Malaysia? That vision is becoming reality through a AgriTech initiative that integrates drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology. In an effort to support sustainable farming and technological innovation, Farmsent, DroneDash, and SkyX have announced a partnership to launch an advanced smart AgriTech network spanning over 490,000 acres of palm plantations in Malaysia. This collaboration creates a blueprint for modern agriculture that is efficient, sustainable, and globally participatory. Imagine autonomous drones mapping vast plantations, deploying agrochemicals with pinpoint precision—all guided by real-time AI and blockchain-verified data. Farmsent is introducing blockchain-tokenized soil sensors that continuously monitor critical soil nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These sensors provide real-time data, enabling precise and timely fertilization strategies, ensuring optimal nutrient application at the exact locations required. Through tokenization, these sensors become assets within the global Web3 community, allowing global participants to invest and contribute actively to sustainable agricultural practices. These sensors employ predictive AI modeling to anticipate nutrient requirements, enabling highly optimized fertilization strategies and significantly boosting sustainability. DroneDash plays a pivotal role, streamlining the deployment of drone technology for targeted agrochemical applications, thus enhancing the efficiency of pesticide and fertilizer use. This not only optimizes resource usage but also minimizes environmental impact, protecting ecosystems surrounding agricultural areas. DroneDash's AgriTech Drone DroneDash's drone fleet isn't just high-tech—it's cost-cutting, reducing chemical usage and maximizing efficiency. Complementing this technology, SkyX introduces advanced hyperlocal weather stations. These stations capture detailed, hyper-accurate climate data, measuring variables such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind direction, wind speed, and air pressure. This granular level of detail provides invaluable insights that allow farmers to make proactive, data-driven decisions, improving crop yields and resilience against climatic uncertainties. Additionally, each technological component deployed—including sensors and weather stations—is assigned a unique blockchain identity via the peaq blockchain platform. This strategic integration of blockchain technology creates decentralized opportunities for global participation, enabling individuals around the world to directly invest and engage in agricultural innovations through tokenization. Yog Shrusti, co-founder of Farmsent, commented to me that "this isn't just about integrating technology; it's about fundamentally reshaping how we approach agriculture in Southeast Asia. By empowering farmers with unprecedented data-driven insights and fostering a global community around sustainable practices through tokenization, we're not just optimizing yields – we're building a more resilient and equitable food system for generations to come.' Yog Shrusti, co-founder of Farmsent More than 25% of the world's population and more than 40% of the global agricultural production heavily rely upon unsustainable groundwater extraction. Traditional agricultural methods often result in significant inefficiencies and environmental challenges, necessitating innovative solutions to sustainably meet growing food demands. The agricultural drone market alone is projected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2028 according to Markets and Markets. By integrating drone technology into everyday farming operations, Farmsent, DroneDash, and SkyX are leading the charge towards substantial reductions in the use of critical resources, potentially cutting water, pesticide, and fertilizer consumption by up to 50%. Paul Yam, CEO of DroneDash explained to me that 'this is not just a technical integration — it's proof that decentralized technologies can solve real problems, create real value, and drive real profit for communities and investors alike." Paul Yam, CEO of DroneDash The practical impact of these innovations is immediate and tangible. Farmers equipped with real-time analytics and precise climate insights can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency, while drastically reducing environmental footprints. This combination positions Malaysia at the forefront of global AgriTech innovation, serving as a benchmark for other nations facing similar agricultural and environmental challenges. AI is the intelligence engine behind this transformation—turning raw data into real-time, predictive insights that farmers can act on. AI-driven analytics integrate real-time sensor data, historical environmental information, and drone-collected imagery, providing farmers with actionable insights into current and future agricultural conditions. These predictive analytics enable farmers to anticipate crop health issues, optimize resource allocation, and implement proactive measures rather than merely reactive ones. With each season, the system gets smarter—boosting yields, trimming costs, and future-proofing farms. This continual improvement means that the accuracy and effectiveness of interventions steadily increase, optimizing agricultural outputs and enhancing resource efficiency. The integration of AI ensures that data-driven insights are accessible, practical, and tailored to local conditions. Farmers can receive personalized recommendations, allowing for more effective responses to specific agricultural challenges and ensuring a direct positive impact on crop yield and sustainability. Blockchain isn't just for transparency—it's unlocking new markets. Every drone, sensor, and station becomes a verifiable, investable digital asset. Each drone, soil sensor, and weather station is assigned a unique digital identity through the peaq blockchain, creating an immutable and transparent record of operations, maintenance, and data output. That means farm operations are no longer black boxes. Investors, regulators, and farmers can track input-to-output performance in real time. With transparent tracking, stakeholders—from local farmers to international investors—can verify the authenticity and accuracy of the data generated by each device. Overall benefits from this new Drone, AI and Blockchain Platform Frank Fang, the co-founder of SkyX, explained it well when he said, 'While the agriculture industry has long relied on generalized weather forecasting, we're witnessing a fundamental shift toward hyperlocal precision that can make the difference between a profitable harvest and significant losses. Our blockchain-powered weather stations don't just collect data—they create a new economic model where accurate environmental intelligence becomes a trade-able asset." SkyX isn't just forecasting the weather—they're tokenizing it, letting anyone invest in climate intelligence infrastructure. Blockchain also facilitates decentralized governance models, where stakeholders collectively make decisions, aligning incentives and promoting collaborative management of shared resources. Such participatory governance ensures equitable distribution of benefits and risks, encouraging sustained investment and involvement from global communities. This isn't a regional pilot—it's a scalable model. With the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicting a 70% increase in global food demand by 2050, adopting advanced technologies like drones, sensors, and blockchain is not just beneficial—it's essential. For consumers worldwide, these technologies promise enhanced sustainability and potentially lower food prices by increasing agricultural efficiency and reducing waste. More sustainable practices contribute directly to healthier environments and ecosystems, addressing pressing global environmental concerns. Investors and participants in the global economy stand to benefit substantially through blockchain tokenization, which opens up new avenues for direct investment into the booming AgriTech sector. By democratizing access to agricultural advancements, individuals globally can actively participate in and benefit financially from sustainable farming innovations. Summary of the benefits This partnership exemplifies the power of technology to address critical global challenges, driving forward a vision of agriculture that is not only productive but also equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Did you enjoy this story about Blockchain, AI and Drones impacting AgriTech? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
The National
19-05-2025
- Business
- The National
China-UAE AgriTech Dh120 million megaproject to launch in Al Ain
A Dh120 million AgriTech hub, measuring 100,000 square metres, has been announced for Al Ain. The project is a collaboration between Silal, an Abu Dhabi-based agri-food and technology company, and Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group (SVG), a Chinese firm specialising in vegetable seed breeding and counter-seasonal production. The signing of the deal was witnessed at the Make it in the Emirates conference in Abu Dhabi by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. The facility marks a shift to transform the agricultural sector from water-intensive and climate vulnerable to data-driven and climate resilient. It will serve as a test bed for "smart farming" under extreme conditions – a challenge of growing importance. "Our partnership with SVG aims to revolutionise the UAE's AgriTech sector," said Salmeen Alameri, chief executive of Silal. "By combining SVG's world-leading expertise in greenhouse technology with Silal's commitment to innovation and sustainability, we are creating a cutting-edge model for innovative agriculture that can be replicated across the region and beyond." Model to drive AgriTech hub At the heart of the initiative is SVG's "Shouguang Model", a system of greenhouse farming honed in China's Shandong province that will be adapted to the UAE's arid environment. The Al Ain complex will feature photovoltaic glass greenhouses, large-span solar greenhouses and film connected structures – all powered by renewable energy. These advanced greenhouses will house more than a dozen varieties of fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and strawberries, each cultivated with enhanced traits for flavour, resilience and yield. Automated climate control systems, robotic harvesters and precision irrigation will help maximise productivity while minimising inputs – with water and fertiliser use expected to drop by up to 30 per cent. "Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking approach and its willingness to embrace new technologies make it a vital hub for AgriTech innovation." said Ming Yang, founder of SVG. "In addition, the region's unique climate conditions make it a crucial testing ground for new technologies and solutions." The AgriTech complex will also include advanced infrastructure such as water treatment systems, modular purification units, and energy storage solutions. Mushroom production zones, dedicated employee accommodations, and a sensory experience centre will support both operational and educational objectives. Post-harvest infrastructure will play a vital role in delivering high-quality produce to market. The facility will house a fold storage centre, automated sorting lines and logistics systems capable of preparing goods for both domestic consumption and international export. Seeds of change This is not the first tie-up between Silal and SVG. In November 2024, the state news agency Wam reported a partnership in vegetable seed breeding and counter-seasonal vegetable industry chain. This collaboration is aimed at improving production efficiency and strengthening supply capacity for agricultural products in the UAE.
