At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, industry leaders emphasized that the future success of biological agricultural products depends less on having the most innovative offerings and more on how well these products integrate into existing crop-management systems. Rather than competing with synthetic inputs, biologicals such as biocontrols, biofertilisers, and biopesticides are increasingly viewed as complementary tools that can help farmers manage risk and enhance resilience amid climate and market volatility. However, speakers cautioned that regulatory hurdles, especially in Europe, are slowing the translation of scientific advances into farmer-ready solutions, underscoring the need for streamlined, science-based approval processes.
The September edition of AgNavigator’s movers & shakers column features the latest people news from Adama, Ever.Ag, Rovensa Next, Reservoir, and Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co.
Despite a challenging investment climate for agtech, new funding models are emerging in the UK, with a mix of public investment, private capital, and increasing involvement from retailers and supply-chain businesses. Dr Belinda Clarke of Agri-TechE highlights that this broader financial ecosystem enables start-ups to generate revenues earlier and reduces reliance on traditional venture capital or grants. Retailers and supply-chain actors are targeting innovations that address specific commercial needs, making their support complementary to public funding. Clarke also notes a shift in the industry towards integrating multiple technologies to address practical farm and supply-chain challenges, emphasizing evolution over disruptive change.
Saline agriculture, which uses salt-tolerant crops and technologies to combat soil and water salinisation, faces commercial rather than technical barriers to scaling, according to research from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Despite scientific progress and operational capabilities, weak demand, fragmented value chains, and limited market awareness hinder broader adoption and investment. The industry is split between halophyte producers targeting niche markets and enablers developing salt-tolerant solutions for mainstream agriculture, with both groups struggling to establish a unified value proposition. Integration with existing agricultural supply chains and coordinated commercial support are seen as the most promising paths to growth, as the alternative for many affected farmers is abandoning farming altogether.
Tilda has expanded its sustainable basmati rice programme to nearly 4,000 farms in northern India, covering 15,000 hectares, with the aim of reducing methane emissions, water use, and fertiliser inputs through techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and integrated pest management. The programme has achieved a 45% reduction in methane emissions, a 36% drop in overall CO₂-equivalent emissions, 20% less fertiliser use, and 37 billion litres of water saved, while also increasing yields and farmer profitability. Technical support, financial incentives, and market-linked premium payments have driven farmer participation, and research partnerships are exploring further innovations, such as microbial biofertilisers and direct-seeded rice. Tilda’s immediate focus is on scaling the programme to its full basmati supply chain, aiming for a 50% emissions reduction by 2030
At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, industry leaders emphasized that while agtech now offers advanced solutions like gene editing, biologicals, and AI, the sector’s main challenge is deploying these technologies on farms through effective regulation, finance, and distribution. The UK’s regulatory flexibility on gene editing and the need for science-based rules for biologicals were highlighted as key issues, while major agribusinesses increasingly look outside their own R&D for innovation. The summit stressed that successful technologies must fit farmers’ needs and operations, with distribution and integration seen as more critical than novelty. Ultimately, the sector faces a deployment challenge: ensuring the financial and regulatory support necessary for farmers to adopt new technologies without bearing the full cost and risk.
Tesco has invested £20 million as the anchor backer of Henry Dimbleby’s Bramble Fund, which aims to support startups making the food system healthier, more sustainable, and more affordable. The partnership provides not only funding but also opportunities for innovation testing within Tesco’s supply chain, reflecting the retailer’s broader strategy to view health-focused food as a commercial opportunity. However, the initiative faces challenges in convincing mainstream consumers to pay more for healthier options amid a widening price gap between healthy and less healthy foods and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
German agtech company Stenon, founded by Niels Grabbert, has raised €18 million to expand its rapid soil-testing technology globally. Inspired by Grabbert’s prior work on cancer diagnostics, Stenon's FarmLab device uses advanced sensors to deliver real-time soil data, particularly measuring nitrogen—crucial for optimizing fertilizer use and boosting yields. The system allows farmers to map soil needs quickly, addressing the limitations of traditional lab analysis, especially in fast-paced agricultural regions like Brazil and the US. Stenon is now developing an automated solution to further streamline large-scale data collection as it faces emerging competition in the field.
The UK government has pledged to maintain regulatory freedom for agricultural biotechnology, even as it negotiates closer alignment with EU food and agricultural rules under a new SPS agreement. Farming minister Stephen Morgan highlighted the UK’s progress in precision breeding, including gene-edited crops and government funding for innovative agri-tech projects, as evidence of the country’s leadership in agricultural science. The government’s £123 million initiative targets productivity and innovation across a range of technologies, while efforts are underway to help SMEs navigate regulatory requirements. Morgan emphasized the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation and attracting investment in agri-tech.
Syngenta has introduced EXORT, a new biological technology that utilizes naturally occurring plant microRNAs to fine-tune crop growth processes, claiming it as the first novel mode of action in biologicals in over 20 years. Field trials across multiple countries and crops have shown yield improvements of 5-10% with extremely low application rates, and the company aims for a commercial launch in Latin America in 2027. The technology is designed to work within existing crop management systems, offering sustainability benefits through reduced packaging and logistics, and is intended as an addition to, not a replacement for, current agricultural inputs.
Biographica and Hudson River Biotechnology have partnered to address complex crop trait challenges that conventional breeding methods have failed to solve, starting with tomatoes. By combining Biographica’s gene discovery and design capabilities with Hudson River’s genome-editing and plant regeneration platform, the companies offer a seamless route from identifying trait targets to delivering commercial-ready, edited plants. Their open call invites breeders to submit unsolved trait problems, aiming to advance genome editing beyond well-understood targets and into more difficult, commercially relevant traits. The initial focus is on tomatoes, with plans to expand to other vegetables and soft fruits.
Vylor, the Corteva spin-off focused on advanced seed genetics, has partnered with Belgian biotech Rainbow Crops to develop climate-resilient corn using AI and multiplex gene editing. This collaboration exemplifies Vylor’s new open-innovation strategy through its Vylor Edge investment platform, which aims to integrate external technologies with Vylor’s genetics and commercial capabilities. The partnership not only advances corn trait development but also signals Vylor’s intent to build growth through strategic investments and partnerships with startups and research institutions.
Spain-based Rovensa Next has secured R$45 million in Brazilian government-backed financing from FINEP to accelerate research and development of agricultural biosolutions, reinforcing Brazil’s growing role as a global center for biological crop inputs. The funding supports new biocontrol, bionutrition, and adjuvant products, with Brazil serving both as a major market and a hub for technology development and scaling. The country’s bioinputs sector has expanded rapidly, with significant increases in treated acreage and market value, underscoring the shift of biologicals from niche to mainstream in large-scale agriculture. Rovensa Next’s investments, including a new pilot fermentation plant, aim to connect market opportunities with innovative products that address both local and global agricultural challenges.
French cooperative bank Crédit Mutuel leverages its mutual ownership structure to invest patient capital in agriculture’s environmental transition, allocating 15% of annual net profits to sustainability initiatives through grants, low-interest loans, and impact investing. Notable programs include subsidised loans for new farmers tied to environmental requirements and investments in biosolutions like biocontrol and biostimulant technologies, with a focus on long-term impact over immediate returns. The bank’s strategy emphasizes flexible, mission-driven financing to address structural challenges and support generational renewal in farming. Crédit Mutuel’s approach reflects its 150-year legacy of supporting rural communities, now focused on sustainable agriculture and innovation.
Biotechnology start-up Robigo has secured Series A funding led by Leaps by Bayer to commercialize its ARGO platform, which uses engineered microbes, RNAi, and CRISPR to develop scalable biopesticides targeting multiple crop diseases. Bayer’s investment is driven by the platform’s potential to rapidly generate diverse crop protection solutions, addressing challenges of efficacy, consistency, and cost that have hindered traditional biologicals. Robigo’s initial focus is on fungal diseases in soybeans and specialty crops, with ambitions to expand to additional pathogens and crops through both product sales and strategic partnerships. The company’s approach integrates synthetic biology with biological crop protection, aiming for sustainability and high performance without requiring changes to farm practices.
Ag stakeholders are advocating for the farm bill’s passage, which will allow for the year-round sale of E15, boosting domestic consumption at a time of record-high exports of the biofuel.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a method for using bumblebees to deliver bacteriophages—viruses that target harmful bacteria—to cherry blossoms, reducing disease-causing bacterial populations and decreasing reliance on pesticides. By coating bees with phage powder as they leave the hive, the insects transfer these natural treatments to flowers during pollination. The approach, initially tested on cherry canker, has shown high delivery rates and effectiveness, with potential for broader application to other crops. The method aims to offer growers an environmentally friendly, practical alternative for managing bacterial crop diseases.
Corteva is spinning off its seed and genetics division into a new company, Vylor, which will launch hybrid hard red winter wheat in North America by 2027 using its proprietary Xpedite hybridisation system. Unlike past efforts hindered by wheat’s self-pollinating nature and production costs, Xpedite enables scalable, non-GMO hybrid seed production, promising yield increases of 10-20% and accelerated genetic gains without regulatory hurdles. Vylor projects its hybrid wheat will become a major revenue source alongside corn and soybeans, with plans to expand internationally and introduce additional wheat varieties through 2030. This strategy sets Vylor apart from competitors like Syngenta and Bayer by positioning Xpedite as a transformative breeding platform rather than just a new seed product.
Executives from Corteva’s crop protection business laid out its growth strategy following its split at an investors day, which includes leaning into research and development investments and tailored go-to-market approaches.
The Varda Foundation, originally founded by Yara International, aims to unlock the value of fragmented soil data to transform agricultural productivity, sustainability, and risk management. Transitioning to an independent not-for-profit to ensure neutrality and trust, Varda developed SoilHive, a federated platform allowing organizations to retain ownership while sharing soil data. This approach enables more precise farm recommendations, improved agricultural insurance, and enhanced supply chain resilience, though challenges remain regarding data standardization, trust, and incentives. Varda envisions a future where accessible soil data underpins innovation across the food system, recognizing soil as a critical but underappreciated agricultural asset.
Wes Hepker and Daniela Williams share their story on how they went from corporate America to becoming rural farmers in the Driftless region of the Midwest.
Yara has launched Europe’s largest industrial carbon-capture facility at its Sluiskil ammonia and fertiliser plant, aiming to capture and store up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually and reduce the carbon footprint of fertiliser production. The project demonstrates that large-scale decarbonisation of ammonia production is technically possible, but its commercial success depends on whether customers are willing to pay a premium for lower-carbon fertiliser products in price-sensitive markets. The initiative is a test case for building low-carbon value chains in agriculture and industry, with European policymakers highlighting its importance for climate goals and industrial competitiveness.
Researchers from North Carolina State University and collaborators have found that biological indicators such as microbial biomass, microbial necromass, and enzyme activity can provide early signals of improved soil carbon storage from regenerative farming practices, years before traditional soil carbon tests can detect changes. Their study in loblolly pine and pecan agroforestry systems showed that these microbial metrics are closely linked to the soil carbon cycle, with microbial necromass being especially important for long-term carbon storage. The research highlights how different agroforestry systems and management practices influence these biological proxies, and suggests that minimum tillage remains effective for soil carbon accumulation. This approach could enable faster assessment and refinement of regenerative agriculture strategies by offering earlier evidence of soil health improvements.
The ag machinery market might be one step closer to a rebound as AGCO’s CEO reported an increased interest in the company’s machines at the Farm Progress Show.
New research shows unanimous support for regenerative agriculture among UK food industry professionals, who view it as crucial to the future of British farming, but significant gaps in knowledge and commercial concerns remain. While most businesses are already using or considering regenerative ingredients, competitive pricing, proven environmental benefits, and improved traceability are key factors influencing wider adoption. Barriers include limited understanding, availability, lack of consumer demand, and difficulty verifying environmental claims. The findings highlight a strong need for better education, communication, and clear standards to help the food sector realize the full benefits of regenerative farming.
Tellia, a voice AI start-up based in San Francisco and Paris, has raised $5 million in pre-seed funding to expand its agricultural data platform in the US and Europe. The company offers a voice-first AI assistant enabling farmers and agronomists to record field data through phone calls, voice notes, and messaging, automatically converting these into structured digital records. Tellia’s solution addresses the challenge of digitizing farm data without adding extra work, replacing traditional notebooks and manual reporting, and is already in use across 400,000 hectares with clients in various agricultural sectors. The new funding will support further expansion and development of Tellia’s AI-powered tools, aiming to make farm software as easy to use as making a phone call.
Syngenta and French biotech company Amoéba have signed a long-term agreement to commercialize AXP20, a novel biofungicide derived from the amoeba C2c Maky, targeting septoria and yellow rust in European cereals. Amid rising fungicide resistance and regulatory constraints, AXP20 offers a biological solution with multiple modes of action and low resistance risk, with EU market registrations targeted for 2028 and on-farm use in 2029. The deal grants Syngenta exclusive distribution rights across most European cereal markets, and both companies are evaluating further crop and geographic expansion. Field trials have shown AXP20 to be effective at controlling key wheat diseases while boosting plant defense mechanisms.
Bayer and Neste have finalized a commercial agreement to scale Bayer’s newgold® winter canola as a renewable feedstock, responding to growing energy security concerns and increasing demand for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. The partnership will establish a dedicated value chain in the US Southern Great Plains, aiming to boost domestic supplies of lower-carbon-intensity feedstocks and offer farmers a profitable rotational crop. This move reflects Bayer’s broader renewable fuels ambitions and highlights the strategic importance of biofuels amid geopolitical tensions and hard-to-electrify transport sectors.
Norwegian agtech company Nofence has launched the N3 cattle collar, expanding its offering beyond virtual fencing to a comprehensive precision livestock management platform. Funded by a €30m ($35m) Series B round, the N3 integrates grazing management, animal health, and reproductive monitoring into a single app, using continuous data collection and advanced connectivity. The device aims to streamline operations for producers by consolidating previously disconnected systems and is designed for durability and performance in challenging environments. Early adopters report significant time savings and improved decision-making due to the platform’s unified approach.
Corteva's UK field trial of gene-edited soybeans demonstrated that targeted genetic modifications can dramatically accelerate the crop's maturity, allowing varieties traditionally suited to southern Europe to thrive in Britain's cooler climate. The trial, conducted in collaboration with INRAE, showed that editing just three flowering suppressor genes could shift soybeans by two to three maturity groups, with gene-edited plants visibly outpacing conventional varieties in development. This success suggests that commercial soybean production in the UK could become viable, reducing reliance on imports and benefiting from the country's supportive regulatory environment. The project highlights gene editing's potential to quickly adapt crops to new environments, though commercialisation in the UK remains a future goal.
Corteva is preparing to spin off its seed and genetics business as Vylor in October 2026, launching a new investment platform called Vylor Edge focused on accelerating agricultural technology development. While Vylor Edge will inherit several investments from Corteva's existing Catalyst platform and target similar innovation areas such as gene editing and digital agriculture, the company has not clarified how the two platforms will operate separately or how responsibilities and assets will be divided post-separation. Key details about the transition and future investment strategies remain undisclosed.
The Climate Smart Food Broadcast Series, organized by FoodNavigator and AgNavigator, returns in September with a two-day webinar event focused on how the food industry is adapting to climate-related challenges through sustainable sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart innovation. Day one examines strategies for securing sustainable supplies of critical ingredients like cocoa, coffee, and rice, with discussions on adapting sourcing, supporting growers, and investing in resilient systems. Day two highlights practical measures food and beverage manufacturers are taking to reduce climate risk, featuring industry leaders such as Nestlé, Danone, and Mondelez, and topics including emissions reduction, water stewardship, and regenerative agriculture. Case studies from PepsiCo and Tilda illustrate successful climate-smart farming initiatives that improve both environmental outcomes and farmer profitability.
CNH has formed a strategic alliance with Bourgault Industries to distribute co-branded precision seeding equipment through CNH’s dealer network in North America, Australia, and other key markets. Under this agreement, Bourgault will manufacture advanced air drill systems and air carts, supporting CNH’s shift toward technology-driven agricultural solutions and strengthening its digital agriculture strategy. The partnership emphasizes soil health, input efficiency, and the integration of digital technologies, aiming to enhance productivity while minimizing soil disturbance. CNH will continue supporting its existing seeding products during a transition period, with its Saskatoon facility focused on planters and combine headers.
Syngenta Group increased first-half 2026 profitability despite a 2% drop in sales, driven by a strategic pivot away from low-margin activities toward premium crop protection technologies, biologicals, and AI-powered agriculture. The company’s EBITDA rose 2% to $2.4bn with improved margins, supported by growth in proprietary technologies and digital platforms like CROPWISE® AI. Significant gains were seen in markets such as China and Brazil, while ongoing portfolio reshaping further reduced exposure to less profitable segments. Under new CEO Hengde Qin, Syngenta is prioritizing profitability over volume through innovation, digitalization, and cost discipline.
Corteva is set to spin off its seed and genetics business as Vylor in October 2026, positioning the new entity as a high-growth, royalty-driven company focused on intellectual property and licensing. Vylor’s innovation pipeline includes proprietary biotechnology, gene editing, and the launch of seven new corn technology platforms over the next decade, aiming to generate over $2 billion in incremental revenue by 2035. Key planned releases include multi-disease resistant gene-edited corn, next-generation insect control, and yield-enhancing traits, with technologies expected to cover 90% of its corn business. This strategic shift marks Vylor’s transition from technology licensee to licensor, emphasizing long-term recurring revenue streams from proprietary genetics and traits.
Deep Science Ventures departs from the traditional deep-tech investment model by starting with societal problems rather than existing technologies, aiming to build companies from the ground up with targeted solutions. Instead of backing university spinouts, the firm analyzes major challenges, such as crop heat stress, to identify gaps in current solutions and then creates ventures like Lilliput to address these gaps with novel approaches. The process involves thorough problem deconstruction, interdisciplinary knowledge gathering, and building intellectual property in-house, emphasizing first-principles thinking over pre-existing assumptions. This method is presented as a more efficient and impactful way to scale deep-tech venture creation and address pressing global issues.
RemePhy, a start-up from Imperial College London, has developed genetically modified and non-GM plants designed to extract heavy metals from contaminated soils far more efficiently than current phytoremediation methods. The company aims to address pollution from war and mining, targeting mining sites first due to simpler regulations and clear incentives for land remediation. Field trials of the non-GM plants are beginning in the UK, with commercial applications in mining expected as early as 2027 and potential agricultural use following later. RemePhy’s business model includes both seed sales with full-service remediation and licensing options, potentially offering a significantly cheaper and faster solution for cleaning toxic soils worldwide.
BiomEdit is developing a new class of bio-based therapeutics to treat a variety of animal diseases with two products in the pipeline to launch in 2027 thanks to its acquisition of Folium Science.
