Digital Growth

Featuring BASF Digital Farming, AgroStar, XAG, New Holland, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, PI AgSciences, Roquette Agriscience, Cascadia Seaweed, Centuria Capital, and HIC Venture Studio.

Author

Diletta Di Iorio
November 28, 2025

Good morning growers,

This week highlights activity across AgTech, plant sciences, and controlled environment agriculture, with companies announcing new funding, product launches, rebrands, and strategic expansions. Updates span AI-enabled crop management, biological inputs, autonomous machinery, and indoor farming investments, reflecting ongoing momentum across the agricultural value chain.

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Estimated Reading Time: 8 - 10 minutes

OUR LATEST AGTECH INTELLIGENCE DASHBOARD SNAPSHOT

2025 Sparks a Surge in Biologicals, New Modes of Action, and AI-Driven Crop Protection

The latest activity in crop protection points to a sector rapidly pivoting toward biologicals, nutrient efficiency, and next-gen modes of action, backed by serious capital and regulatory momentum. New biological and nature-based solutions are advancing across pests, diseases, and nutrients: Cascadia Seaweed’s Kelpivex, Pivot Bio’s dry PROVEN G3 and CERT-N, Indigo’s Nemora FP, FireHawk bioherbicide, ADAMA’s novel fungicide Gilboa and molluscicide Feralla, plus a wave of microbial and biocontrol products from companies like Amoéba, Biotalys, FA Bio, Tidal Grow, AgroSpheres, and Attune. These are reinforced by key approvals and certifications (EPA, EU, CFIA, state-level), and by strategic partnerships (Amoéba–Syngenta, FA Bio–Bayer, Biotalys–AgroFresh, Groundwork BioAg–Beck’s and ADAMA, ICL–BioPrime, BASF/Corteva/M.S. in Brazil) that signal biologicals are moving from niche to mainstream within integrated crop protection programs.

At the same time, capital, M&A and digital tools are reshaping the competitive landscape. Significant funding rounds for Biocentis, Ascribe Bio, Vive, BioConsortia, PATS, BiocSol, IBI Ag and others are flowing into platforms for next-generation insect control, microbials, natural chemistries, and data-driven R&D. Consolidation and strategic expansion—Gowan integrating Ceradis, Sumitomo taking full control of Philagro and Kenogard, Ambienta acquiring Agronova, Syngenta acquiring Intrinsyx Bio, FBN spinning off Global Crop Solutions—underscore a race to build broader, more sustainable portfolios. Overlaying this is a clear digital and AI layer: Micropep’s Krisalix AI platform, Agmatix/BASF’s SCN prediction tools, FarmQA’s nutrient-planning software, and AI-powered fertilizer and decision systems all point to crop protection evolving into a data-rich, biologically oriented, highly integrated ecosystem, where efficacy, resistance management, sustainability, and ROI are tightly linked.

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AGTECH
Funding, Partnerships, and Product Updates in AgTech

BASF Digital Farming Launches xarvio FIELD MANAGER for Grapes – BASF Digital Farming has launched xarvio FIELD MANAGER For Grapes for growers in France, Spain, and Türkiye starting in 2025/26. The platform covers over 100 grape varieties and provides data-driven recommendations for pest, disease, fertilization, and irrigation management.

AgroStar Raises $30 Million to Expand Climate-Smart Agriculture in India – AgroStar has secured $30 million from Just Climate and existing investors to scale its AI-driven agritech platform. The company serves more than 10 million farmers, reporting yield gains and reduced cultivation costs for a majority of users.

XAG Introduces P150 Max Autonomous Drone for Large-Scale Farming – XAG has launched the P150 Max drone with an 80-kg payload and modular systems for spraying, spreading, mapping, and logistics. Equipped with the SuperX 5 control system, the drone targets improved efficiency and labor-saving in large-scale agricultural operations.

New Holland Updates Braud 9.80N Harvester and TE6 Straddle Tractors – New Holland has announced updates for its 2026 Braud 9.80N harvester, including a redesigned axle, upgraded cab, and new precision tools. Enhancements to TE6 Straddle Tractors include automated headland sequences for improved field operation efficiency.

Saudi Arabia Advances AgTech Under Vision 2030 – Saudi Arabia is accelerating AgTech investment through government food security programs, USD 114M in Dutch technology partnerships, and new indoor farming projects. Despite progress, challenges remain in energy costs, regulation, and skilled labor, while the country continues to lead the GCC’s USD 0.39B indoor farming market.

PLANT SCIENCE
New Acquisition, Approval, and Rebrand for Plant Science

PI Industries Rebrands Plant Health Care Plc as PI AgSciences – PI Industries has rebranded Plant Health Care Plc as PI AgSciences following its August 2024 acquisition, consolidating its agricultural operations with a focus on biologicals and sustainable crop solutions across more than 40 countries. The new division is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and integrates significant R&D capabilities to support continued investment in biological technologies and global market expansion.

Roquette Renames Plant Care Division as Agriscience After IFF Pharma Solutions Acquisition – Roquette has rebranded its plant care division as Agriscience, expanding its portfolio of plant-based and bio-based inputs for fertilizer, biostimulation, biocontrol, and seed treatment. The range includes branded products such as METHOCEL™ and Scogin®, supported by a new Customer Technical Services Application Lab in Geneva, Illinois.

Cascadia Seaweed Secures CAD$4 Million and Gains Approval for Kelpivex in Canada – Cascadia Seaweed has raised CAD$4 million in Series A funding and received CFIA approval for its liquid kelp extract, Kelpivex, now available to Canadian farmers. Early trials show improved nutrient-use efficiency and crop performance, aligning with Canada’s 2025 climate and fertilizer emission goals and building on the company’s recent work with U.S. growers.

CEA
New Expansion and Launch in CEA

Centuria Capital Expands Agriculture Real Estate Platform to $820 Million – Centuria Capital Group has acquired a 43-hectare hydroponic glasshouse in Two Wells, South Australia, for $168 million through the Centuria Agriculture Fund, expanding its platform to $820 million. The asset, operated by Perfection Fresh, adds over 160 hectares of protected cropping and is secured under a 17.4-year triple net lease, bringing the fund’s portfolio to six fully occupied properties valued at $629 million.

HIC Venture Studio Launches as First Horticulture-Focused Venture Studio – The HIC Venture Studio has launched as the world’s first venture studio dedicated to horticulture, focusing on six transition themes including energy, resilient cultivation, circular systems, automation, and autonomous growing. Supported by Catalyze for grant-writing and strategic consulting, the studio aims to accelerate startup development within an ecosystem of academic and research partners in greenhouse horticulture.

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OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Funding Round, New Initiative & More!

MyEasyFarm has formed a strategic partnership with the La Tricherie agricultural cooperative to manage greenhouse gas emissions across nearly 280 farms in the Vienne region. La Tricherie, recognized for its CSR leadership (ISO 26000), selected MyEasyFarm’s MyEasyCarbon technology to support rigorous Scope 3 reporting aligned with SBTi Net-Zero standards.T

Noahs secured €1.9 million in new funding at a €6.5 million pre-money valuation. The round was led by PSV Tech, with participation from industry angels including Kraen Nielsen, Bob Stein, and existing shareholders. Noahs transforms service stations, supermarkets, and travel hubs into digital, multi-brand food destinations.

Ruminant Biotech closed a $9.5M USD Series A round, co-led by Rosrain Investments and Cultivate Ventures, with participation from Marex and follow-on funding from AgriZeroNZ. The company is developing a long-duration methane mitigation solution tailored to pasture-based cattle systems. Initial regulatory approval is expected in New Zealand in early 2026, with Australia and New Zealand targeted for first commercial launch.

The African Development Fund approved a $14.64 million grant to support Project 2 of the Programme to Strengthen Resilience to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in the Sahel (P2-P2RS). Funding is provided through the Climate Action Window, the climate-focused mechanism of the African Development Bank Group. The project will scale climate-smart villages, improve climate information systems, and expand access to resilient, high-yielding seed varieties.

Indigo Ag, Kellanova, and Walmart have formed a new partnership to support regenerative rice farming across Arkansas. The initiative builds on a four-year collaboration between Walmart and Indigo Ag, which has delivered major environmental and financial benefits to farmers. Participating growers receive financial premiums for rice produced using regenerative methods.

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