Boosting AgTech Innovation from Lab to Market

New technologies, no matter how revolutionary, can’t make an impact until they get out of the lab.

Developing technologies to decarbonise the food chain is just the first step. Industry adoption to speed up commercialisation is what will catalyse real change.

For industry leaders at the upcoming World Agri-Tech in London on Sept 30-Oct1, this is a priority to make happen.

The power in combining organisations of different sizes

The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative brings scalable new technologies to market through strategic research-industry partnerships.

Executive Director, Adrian Percy, shares how collaboration is at the heart of its mission, “connecting with organisations of various sizes and prioritising project management to translate academic research into impactful agricultural solutions.”

The value of an integrated approach across multiple organisations is echoed by Olivier Clyti, Director of Strategy R&D Innovation, RSE & Digital at InVivo, who highlights that “the size of our group, combined with the support of our partners’ cooperatives, give us the opportunity to test all new technologies coming both from internal R&D and also coming from start-ups”. Such alliances support InVivo’s mission to foster the agricultural and food transition to a resilient agrosystem by designing innovative, responsible solutions and products.

So, access to a large network of companies, researchers and cooperatives is key. And to ensure the full value chain is addressed – start-ups, corporations and government bodiesall have an important role to play.

More collaboration is needed to scale up and speed up

Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Yara International’s EVP for Europe, agrees that when it comes to implementation of emerging technologies, more collaboration is needed to scale up and speed up sustainable agtech solutions to meet global challenges, as “we can’t do it alone”.

“We need to see shifts in policy frameworks, incentives and investment strategies, consumer behaviour, and business practices,” Mónica explains.

The Nature Conservancy is advancing effective, lasting conservation by developing breakthrough ideas, amplifying local leaders and influencing policy.

Marianne Kleiberg, Regional Managing Director Europe at The Nature Conservancy,  is excited to be involved in innovative partnerships such as its work with Nestlé “to help scale the adoption of regenerative practices in its milk, soybean, and sugar supply.”

“In all instances,” she continues, “NGOs, suppliers (including cooperatives), and downstream off-takers are coming together to test new models that can support farmers in adopting regenerative practices.”

What determines the success of collaborations?

In Adrian’s experience, “successful collaborations hinge upon clear communication, well-defined expectations, and a continuous feedback loop.”

Mónica stresses the importance of shared goals, highlighting Yara’s long-term partnership with PepsiCo Europe that provides farmers with crop nutrition programmes to help decarbonise food production.

“The collaboration underlines our shared commitment to build a more sustainable food system in Europe,” she says, “and is one of several partnerships we have with food chain players.”

Financial incentives and technical support are key when connecting either end of the supply chain from farmers to commodity traders, stresses Marianne, noting that The Nature Conservancy has mediated successful collaborations including recently with the Louis Dreyfus Company, helping them to develop a market-leading regenerative agriculture programme.

“Government support is really important”, she states, especially when asking farmers to adopt new, potentially risky technologies. “In England, the subsidy reforms process that led to the development of Environmental Land Management schemes is already inspiring policymakers in other countries to explore similar updates to their agricultural subsidies.”

Emerging technologies to get excited about

Partnerships are crucial for driving change across the industry, but the technology itself has to be truly groundbreaking to drive swift adoption.

Which solutions are getting the industry excited?

“Emerging technologies like robotics and data analytics are transforming agriculture,” Adrian notes. “Robotics boost efficiency and offer relief from labour shortages.”

“The measurement of carbon capture in soil is an issue for farmers,” Olivier says, sharing that InVivo has developed a precision farming technique to limit the amount of fertilisation and bring the minimum nutrients to each plant.

Mónica stresses that “many of the technologies, solutions and practices for achieving climate-smart agriculture already exist.” For example, a 65-year trial conducted at Yara’s Hanninghof research centre in Dülmen, Germany, which highlighted the pivotal role of balanced crop nutrition in maintaining soil health and ensuring agricultural resilience.

Marianne believes there is more to be done for climate-smart agriculture. “Biodiversity Net Gain scheme is an example of how we can support farmers and landowners to invest in regenerative practices and landscape restoration” she says. “It’s a win-win solution.”

Mónica is confident there is also a strong future for low-carbon footprint fertilisers produced from either renewable ammonia or low-carbon ammonia via carbon capture and storage (CCS), citing Yara’s renewable hydrogen and ammonia plant at Herøya in Norway and its Yara Sluiskil plant, which aims to remove around 12m tonnes of CO2 from its ammonia production via CCS over the next 15 years.

Adrian concludes: “Analytics can provide critical insights through the integration of diverse data sources, empowering growers to make informed decisions quickly. These innovations are driving progress toward a more sustainable future, so research in these areas is highly attractive for collaboration and investments from industry stakeholders.”

Tips, predictions and debate at World Agri-Tech

Continue the conversation with Adrian, Mónica, Marianne and Olivier at World Agri-Tech in London, hosted at the InterContinental – O2 on September 30 – October 1. They’ll be sharing deeper updates on industry projects, debating future directions and exploring the impact of emerging technologies. Book your place to join them at the summit, or download the brochure to find out more.