The Root

Featuring updates from CropX, Netafim, Virridy, Bluewhite, Agmatix, BASF, Elaniti, FarmWise, Innovation Agritech, Growlink, Plenty & More!

Author

Sepehr Achard
March 21, 2025

The weekend is almost here, but before you sign off, here’s your essential roundup of what’s happening in AgTech.

This edition covers breakthroughs in plant science, precision agriculture, crop protection, and sustainability innovations. From AI-powered farming tools and microbial solutions to new partnerships in regenerative ag and emissions reduction, we’ve got the latest updates in one place.

📩 Grab a coffee, take a quick break, and catch up on this week’s industry highlights.

🚀 Let’s dive in!

This Week’s Highlights Include:

Estimated Reading Time: 4 - 6 minutes

You can also listen to the full episode here.

🌾 Discover What’s Powering the Future of Farming

🔍 The Ultimate AgTech Directory Is Here
From AI-driven crop management to next-gen irrigation, explore hundreds of vetted AgTech companies, tools, and startups transforming agriculture.

✅ Search by sector, tech, or region
✅ Find partners, products, or inspiration
✅ Stay ahead of what’s next in precision ag & digital farming

🚜 Whether you're an investor, grower, or founder — this is your go-to resource for innovation in ag.

PRECISION AG & DIGITAL FARMING
🔍 This Week in Precision Ag & Digital Farming

  • Netafim & Virridy Launch Carbon Credit Program in Turkey

    • Targets alfalfa, corn, and sugar beet with precision irrigation + digital monitoring

    • Aims to generate carbon credits for business offsetting; global rollout planned

  • Bluewhite Debuts GEN 4 Autonomous Farming System

    • Built with NVIDIA tech; LiDAR + AI enable autonomous navigation & spraying

    • Will be showcased at NVIDIA GTC 2025

  • Agmatix Teams Up with BASF on Soybean Disease Tool

    • AI-driven tool forecasts soybean cyst nematode (SCN) risks at planting

    • Developed under BASF’s AgroStart innovation program

  • CropX Releases “Strato 1” Smart Weather Station

    • Delivers field-specific, real-time weather data

    • Enhances irrigation and input decisions through CropX’s AI agronomy platform

  • FarmWise Winds Down, Looks to Sustain Vulcan Tech

    • Despite shutdown, exploring strategic options with RDO Equipment Co.

    • Vulcan’s precision weeding system may still have a path forward

  • Elaniti Secures €1.5M to Advance AI-Powered Soil Intelligence

    • The investment supports the development of Elaniti’s AI-powered digital decision support tool, which uses DNA sequencing to analyze soil microbiomes.

    • The funding round, combined with previous Innovate UK support, brings Elaniti’s total funds raised to €1.5 million.

FOODTECH 500
2024 FoodTech 500 Unveiled: The Leading AgriFoodTech Innovators

📉 Funding Snapshot: Cautious Capital, Bigger Bets

  • Global AgriFoodTech funding dropped 73%: from $61.2B in 2021 to $16.1B in 2024

  • Number of deals fell from 2,040 to 847, signaling investor pullback

  • Median deal size rose from $3M to $5M — fewer bets, but more selective, high-value ones

“FoodTech Wave 3.0 is reshaping the industry.” — Alessio D’Antino, Forward Fooding

🔁 Sector Shifts: Who’s Getting Funded Now?

  • Investment focus has moved upstream — from delivery apps to scalable ag and biotech innovations

  • Key growth areas:

    • Ag Biotech: 3.8% → 6.2%

    • Precision Farming: 2.7% → 6.6%

    • Protein Fermentation: 2.3% → 3.4%

  • Food Delivery & Alt Proteins now make up 47% of funding, down from 68%

🚀 2024 FoodTech 500: Standout Innovators

Top companies driving the future of food:

  • AgTech

    • ProducePay (2), CropX (9), Desert Control (15)

  • Next-Gen Food & Drinks

    • Nature’s Fynd (3), Heura Foods (5), Upside Foods (10)

  • Food Processing & Biotech

    • TraceGrains (31), Michroma (40), Shiru (66)

  • Vertical & Indoor Farming

    • Vertical Future (33), IUNU (37), Edible Garden Ag (50)

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE
New Tech rollouts, Funding moves & a Shake-Up At A Major Vertical Farm

  • Innovation Agritech Lists Shares on Private Exchange

    • UK-based vertical farming company developing aeroponic systems

    • Shares now trade on JP Jenkins, allowing private equity transactions

    • Part of broader growth plans to scale pesticide-free, year-round food production

  • Growlink Launches LINKS Smart Control System

    • IoT-enabled device offers real-time control of climate, lighting, irrigation & nutrients

    • Integrates with Growlink OS; designed for scalability and ease of use

    • Now available online and headed to hydroponic retailers nationwide

  • Plenty Faces Financial Turmoil, Closes Compton Farm

    • Hit by high energy costs and unpaid contractor bills; Plenty is nearing bankruptcy

    • In talks for a $125M funding round that could wipe out current shareholders

    • Legal trouble: Century Construction suing for $500K in unpaid work

  • Berger & Sollum Tech Partner on Advanced Lighting Research

    • Upgrading research greenhouses with dynamic LED grow lights

    • Goal: Optimize lettuce growth and develop data-driven best practices

    • Research will expand into other crops and share insights with the broader grower community

How Did You Like Today's Newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

OTHER NEWS
🌍 Soil Sampling, Regen Ag, Latest Cohort in AGTECH ACCELERATOR

  • Seqana and Klim have partnered to implement soil sampling designs across 29,000 hectares of croplands in Germany.

  • Syngenta and PepsiCo are collaborating to scale regenerative and traceable agriculture practices in sunflower production.

  • FA Bio has been awarded grant funding from Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme Nutrient Management Competition, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

  • Cultivator powered by Conexus introduced Cohort 4 of the AGTECH ACCELERATOR at Canada’s Farm Show, supporting early-stage AgTech startups.

Reply

or to participate.