The agriculture industry has undergone significant transformations over time in response to the rising sustenance needs of the global population. With the world population expected to hit 9.8 billion by 2050, there is increasing pressure on the sector to produce food efficiently and sustainably to ensure food security.
Technology helps tackle these challenges, and agricultural technology (AgTech) startups are a big part of this progress.
They drive innovation and address agricultural challenges, such as food security, labor shortages, and climate change issues.
The agtech market is growing fast. In 2021, it was valued at $10.5 billion, and it’s expected to more than double by 2025.
Let’s talk about the latest agtech trends and the top startups in the agtech space.
Agtech Trends to Watch Out
Like other tech-driven sectors, agriculture is rapidly evolving, with innovative solutions emerging yearly. Here are some top agtech trends to watch in 2024 and beyond.
1. Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is gaining traction, with over 2,000 hydroponics farms operating in the U.S. This method involves growing crops in stacked layers, often inside warehouses or other controlled environments.
These farms can maximize yield by using vertical space while minimizing the land needed for cultivation. Moreover, the crops are grown without soil, relying instead on hydroponics or aeroponics. Light, moisture, and temperature are carefully controlled to optimize growing conditions.
Companies like Phillips have even developed specialized LED lighting systems that allow farmers to fine-tune the color and intensity of light.
2. Digital Twins to Optimize Field Trials
Digital twin technology creates virtual replicas of farms that can help monitor and analyze conditions in real time. These digital models integrate data from soil sensors, weather forecasts, and satellite imagery to provide valuable insights into crop health and environmental factors.
Farmers can use this information to make better irrigation, fertilization, and pest management decisions. However, the technology is still in its infancy and has challenges, including obtaining sensor data and the costs associated with developing digital twins.
3. Satellite Monitoring
Satellite monitoring uses advanced remote sensing technologies, such as optical imaging or synthetic aperture radar (SAR), to track agricultural land, especially in areas like paddy fields. This method offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional monitoring, which often requires time-consuming and resource-intensive expert field surveys.
With free access to satellite imagery, agriculturists can monitor large geographic areas with high temporal resolution, making it easier to map crop conditions over time.
This information helps them make informed decisions about fertilization, pest management, and harvesting logistics. Additionally, satellite monitoring assists in weather pattern assessments and soil moisture tracking.
4. Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture emphasizes practices that enhance soil health and improve water quality to conserve and boost biodiversity. This approach benefits crop health and quality in the long run and contributes to environmental sustainability.
The global market for regenerative agriculture has been gaining traction, with its value growing by approximately $975.20 million in 2022. Projections suggest it could reach around 4,290.92 million by 2032, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.97% from 2023 to 2032.
5. Tech Solutions for Animals
As more people become concerned about how animals are treated, technology is stepping in to help improve their well-being. One notable development is Precision Livestock Farming (PLF). This approach uses sensors and smart devices to monitor individual animals. Farmers can track health and behavior, helping them spot issues early on. Automated feeding systems ensure animals get the proper nutrition without adding stress.
Wearable tech lets farmers monitor health in real time, catching illnesses before they become severe and cutting down on antibiotic use. Besides, farms use tech to control their environments, ensuring animals live comfortably.
Top Agtech Start-ups
Innovative startups lead the way with new technology and solutions as the demand for more efficient and sustainable farming grows. Here are a few agtech companies making a significant impact in the industry.
1. Farmwise
Founded: 2016
Location: California
FarmWise uses AI and computer vision technology to help farmers increase productivity and profits. It offers precise weeding and cultivation services through innovative tools like Vulcan. Vulcan is a next-generation tool that uses AI-powered image capture and machine learning to deliver weed removal across diverse crop stages and environments.
It can cover up to 3 acres per hour, helping farmers save time and reduce costs. The machine is easy to maintain and regularly updates its software remotely, making it a reliable and efficient tool for modern farming.
Key Specialities
- AI-driven weeding technology for farmers
- Optimized weed removal at any time with Vulcan
- Helps save over $250 per acre
2. CeresAI
Founded: 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
CeresAI is a platform that uses data-driven insights to help agribusinesses and financial services manage farmland more effectively. Focused on protecting yields and increasing resource efficiency, it supports global farming enterprises in making better long-term investments.
CeresAI’s farm and sustainability solutions use over 11 billion plant-level measurements to provide detailed insights into farm management practices. Their tools help monitor climate impacts, verify farming practices, and offer sustainability scorecards. This enables farms to make measurable improvements over time.
Key Specialities
- Models yield impacts to guide yield protection and strategic investments
- Manages climate risks to improve agricultural portfolios
- Monitors farms digitally and provides sustainability measures
3. Exxact Robotics
Founded: 2019
Location: France
Exxact Robotics, a subsidiary of Exel Industries, has its roots in the pioneering agricultural sprayers company founded by Vincent Ballu. The company specializes in precision farming solutions, particularly for vineyards and large-scale crops. It is committed to addressing the challenges of modern agriculture through autonomous vehicles and vision sensors that improve efficiency and sustainability in farming.
Exxact Robotics has developed high-precision spraying technologies to reduce the need for chemical inputs like herbicides and fungicides. Its 3S Spot Spray Sensor, a localized spraying solution, minimizes the environmental impact of farming while optimizing crop protection.
Key Specialities
- Autonomous vineyard and crop care
- AI-driven precision spraying technology
- Sustainable solutions for modern farming
4. The Crop Project
Founded: 2020
Location: Brooklyn, NY
The Crop Project is an agtech startup focused on developing next-generation, clean-label ingredients derived from seaweed. The company works directly with kelp farmers, drying and milling seaweed to make food ingredients, fertilizers, and biomaterials. The Crop Project aims to provide high-quality, transparent products while promoting sustainable practices.
It uses kelp as a regenerative crop that requires no inputs like freshwater or fertilizers and helps reduce ocean acidification. The company has already harvested over 5,000 pounds of kelp. The Crop Project’s seaweed-based products are helping brands reduce sodium, boost protein, and improve overall sustainability.
Key Specialities
- Next-gen ingredients for the seaweed industry
- High-quality, transparent product development
- Nutrient-dense, clean-label ingredients
5. Abelio
Founded: 2018
Location: Toulouse, France
Abelio is a digital farming solution in the agtech space that simplifies farm management and helps farmers maximize crop yields and profitability. With its easy-to-use platform, farmers can handle everything from sowing to harvest, ensuring they’re applying the right amount of water, fertilizer, and treatments at the right time.
The platform is designed to make daily farming tasks easier while increasing profitability. Over 10,000 farmers already trust Abelio to help manage their farms.
Key Specialities
- Customizable platform to manage orders, send advice, and configure maps
- Full farm visualization for irrigation and potential disease control
- Weed detection to identify weeds and reduce treatment costs
6. Infarm
Founded: 2013
Location: Berlin, Germany
Infarm is an agtech company that develops climate-resilient urban farms that bring fresh, nutritious crops closer to communities. With a network of high-tech indoor farms, Infarm creates controlled environments for plants. It ensures plants are unaffected by weather conditions like floods or droughts. This allows them to grow fresh produce year-round with minimal environmental impact.
Infarm’s modular farming units use cutting-edge climate-control technology, optimizing growth for a variety of crops, including leafy greens, herbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Their farms have made a significant environmental impact, saving 214,000m² of land and 154 million liters of water.
Key Specialities
- Global network of climate-resilient farms
- Farms designed for optimal crop conditions
- Production unaffected by climate change
7. Inari
Founded: 2016
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA
Inari is an agtech company focused on improving seeds to make farming more sustainable. Using its SEEDesign™ platform, it combines AI and gene editing to help crops grow better with less water, land, and fertilizer. Its goal is to make farming more efficient while supporting the planet’s future.
Inari’s technology increases crop yields by 10-20% while reducing the need for water and nitrogen by 40%. By making precise changes to crop DNA, Inari is finding new ways to improve farming and address environmental challenges.
Key Specialities
- Combines genomics and AI
- SEEDesign™ technology platform for crop sustainability
- Patented PRIDE™ technology for precise gene replacements
8. Farmbot
Founded: 2014
Location: Sydney, Australia
Farmbot is an agtech company that helps farmers with its remote monitoring solutions. It collects data via IoT, providing farmers with near-real-time reporting on water levels, trends, and alerts. This allows them to thoroughly understand their water assets and operations from anywhere in the world.
Farmbot assists farmers in managing water to improve sustainability. This reduces labor and fuel expenses, resulting in informed business decisions.
Key Specialities
- Farmbot Water Flow Meter Sensor to measure water usage and optimize water consumption
- Farmbot Rain Gauge to track and record rainfall data
- Farmbot Xtrend Trough for remote water monitoring
9. Apeel Sciences
Founded: 2012
Location: Goleta, CA
Apeel Sciences is a biotech company that designs edible plant-based coatings that mimic plastic wrapping but keep fruits and vegetables fresh. The coating can increase the shelf life of goods by up to three times.
Apeel reduces food waste, prevents greenhouse gas emissions, and decreases single-use plastic packaging. Furthermore, it can improve market access, raise prices, and increase revenue for small-scale farmers and aggregators. Saving over 60 million pieces of fruit from going to waste defines their environmental impact.
Key Specialities
- Enhanced access to healthy food options
- Organic and sustainable solutions for fresh produce
- Contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and global hunger
10. RoboCare
Founded: 2020
Location: Tunisia
RoboCare is an agtech company that offers digital monitoring systems to optimize plant needs. The platform uses satellites, drones, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to detect invisible stress in plants through advanced spectral imaging.
Its AI-powered app monitors plant health and offers recommendations. RoboCare empowers farmers to achieve better results by offering tailored care for crops such as olives, wheat, and citrus.
Key Specialities
- End-to-end farm monitoring management platform
- Uses spectral imaging to optimize plant care
- Delivers agronomic recommendations to enhance plant health and early stress detection
11. AquaFresh
Founded: 2020
Location: Delhi, India
AquaFresh specializes in hydroponic growing systems, offering a modern solution to agriculture that saves space and water by growing crops without soil. Its systems use nutrient-rich water to feed plants, ensuring faster growth and reducing water consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional farming.
The company prides itself on designing systems that are easy to assemble and maintain. It can even sustain plants for over three days during power outages.
Key Specialities
- Soil-less farming for efficient crop growth
- Resource efficiency to conserve up to 90% of water
- Self-sufficient practices to provide organic, fresh food year-round
12. Oishii Farm
Founded: 2017
Location: Kearny, New Jersey
Oishii Farm uses vertical farming to grow strawberries, tomatoes, and other fruits throughout the year without pesticides. The company creates ideal growing conditions using solar energy, robotics, water purification systems, and environmental controls.
Oishii incorporates artificial intelligence to manage farm productivity, environmental controls, and bees. It also has harvesting robots to automate the process.
Key Specialities
- Uses AI for farm management
- Employs vertical farming techniques to grow pesticide-free berries
- Non-GMO Project for transparency and clean food practices
13. Agranimo
Founded: 2015
Location: Germany
Agranimo is an agtech firm that develops automation technologies to aid with the sustained viability of food consumption. The company uses its knowledge to drive agronomic science and data technology advancements.
Agranimo enhances agricultural productivity through climate intelligence solutions for fresh produce farming. The company offers a range of services, including precise irrigation planning, frost management, and yield estimation, leveraging advanced soil and climate sensors.
Key Specialities
- Climate intelligent agriculture decision support, irrigation, and crop management
- ET satellite viewer to assess plant water needs across fields
- Automated irrigation planner to generate customized weekly irrigation plans
14. Hazel Technologies
Founded: 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Hazel Technologies is an agtech firm that provides sustainable supply chain solutions, including products that increase the shelf life of fresh vegetables and prevent food waste. Their products are also EPA residue-free and dry, so they do not leave waxy or sticky residues on produce.
Hazel technologies extend the value of food preservation and delivery, guaranteeing that consumers can access high-quality, healthy produce all year round. They have saved 400 million pounds of waste and are driving the movement toward a more sustainable food system.
Key Specialities
- Contact-free solutions that regulate environmental conditions to prevent spoilage
- Customized formulations to meet the specific needs of various crops
- Maintains fruit and vegetable health for extended freshness during storage and transit
15. Trace Genomics
Founded: 2015
Location: Ames, Iowa
Trace Genomics is an agtech company that assesses soil health using DNA sequencing and provides materials to help farmers and merchants make better soil-related decisions. Its areas of expertise include microbial analysis and soil health.
Trace Genomics focuses on providing farmers with cutting-edge genetic insights into soil to help them enhance their agricultural methods and achieve better crop yields and longevity.
Key Specialities
- Soil intelligence for optimal crop management
- Seasonal insights to improve yield and profitability in subsequent growing seasons
- Advanced agronomy analytics to improve fertility rates and profitability
16. Ecorobotix
Founded: 2011
Location: Switzerland
Ecorobotix is a leader in precision agriculture, offering advanced AI-driven solutions that revolutionize modern farming practices. Their flagship product, ARA, uses cutting-edge AI technology and high-resolution cameras to deliver ultra-targeted spraying of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. By spraying only where needed, ARA reduces chemical usage by up to 95%, helping farmers lower costs while promoting sustainable, eco-friendly farming.
Powered by solar energy and designed for efficiency, ARA is a lightweight, mobile tool that can operate across various terrains with minimal energy consumption. This combination of AI precision and sustainable design makes ARA an ideal solution for farmers looking to improve productivity while reducing their environmental footprint.
Key Specialities:
- AI-based precision spraying for herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers
- Up to 95% reduction in chemical usage with targeted application
- Sustainable, solar-powered technology for eco-friendly farming
To find out how Picsellia can help make your Agritech business more efficient, book your personalised demo now!
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