AI & Data: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

A former Climate Corporation executive joins Farmwave to accelerate agricultural AI industrialization

Picketa Systems Raises $2.1 Million to Accelerate Real-Time Crop Nutritional Analysis Technology

Canadian company Picketa Systems has recently closed a $2.1 million funding round to expand its LENS platform, which provides real-time data on crop nutrients. With rising fertilizer costs, this technology could help farmers reduce their fertilizer expenses by 20%. LENS, which now covers potatoes, corn, canola, soybeans, and wheat, is already used by over 45 agricultural retailers.

John Deere Advances Its 6R Tractors Towards Greater Automation and Connectivity

The 2027 range of John Deere 6R tractors stands out for innovations in comfort and technology. With the CommandView 4 cab, operators benefit from improved ergonomics and enhanced visibility. Models ranging from 229 to 305 hp incorporate precision agriculture systems, enabling advanced guidance and automation.

A Partnership to Automate and Accelerate Smart Irrigation in Europe

Rivulis EU, a Singapore-based company, has announced a strategic partnership with Spherag, a Spanish firm specializing in irrigation automation. This partnership aims to integrate innovative digital solutions into Rivulis' offerings, thereby enhancing its distribution network and smart irrigation in Europe. The flagship device, Atlas X, enables optimized irrigation management through bidirectional communication with the cloud, facilitating remote monitoring and control.

Brazilian company Leaf raises $13 million to accelerate AI use in agriculture

In the face of unprecedented economic pressure on farmers, Leaf Agriculture announces a $13 million funding round to strengthen its role in AI-based agricultural data management. By providing structured insights, Leaf enables farmers to optimize their operations through artificial intelligence tools. As farm digitization progresses, the complexity of disconnected systems poses a major challenge.

Agriculture in Arid Environments: UAE Unveils New Generation of High-Protein Wheat

The Sharjah Desert Wheat Project in the UAE has produced second-generation plants with a protein content of 19.3%, surpassing global standards. The integration of precision agriculture, AI, and ground sensors optimizes irrigation and reduces water loss, providing an innovative solution for food security in arid regions.

Plant Health: A €6 Million European Project to Coordinate Responses to Agricultural and Forest Pests

The PhytoPRISM project, led by the University of Warwick in England, aims to create an innovative platform to coordinate the fight against pests threatening agriculture and forests in Europe. With a budget of €6 million, it brings together 15 research institutions and stakeholders from 8 countries and introduces epidemiological modeling tools to help authorities make informed and effective decisions.

Agricultural Robotization: A French Kit to Autonomize Tractors of All Brands

The French company Latitude GPS is marketing a retrofit kit that enables continuous variable transmission tractors of all brands to operate autonomously. This system, which includes multiple sensors and cameras for 360° vision and emergency stop devices, addresses labor challenges in agriculture, with a return on investment estimated between 3 and 4 years. The kit costs between 85,000 and 95,000 euros and can be transferred from one tractor to another.

Connected Greenhouses: Belgian Startup Raises €500,000 to Develop Real-Time Plant Health Sensor

Belgian startup Sensie has successfully raised €500,000 to develop its wireless sensor technology, enabling greenhouse growers to measure real-time physiological signals of crops, such as growth and stress. With its Sensie Omni product, the company aims to fill a gap in professional horticulture by integrating plant data with climate and irrigation information.

Agricultural Drones: A Study Identifies Optimal Flight Speeds to Enhance Spraying Efficiency in Rice Fields

A recent study highlights the impact of the airflow generated by plant protection drones on pesticide application in rice fields. By employing innovative techniques such as aerial photography and machine vision, researchers analyzed the disturbances in the rice canopy caused by the rotors. The findings indicate that optimal flight speeds of 3 to 4 m/s allow for better droplet deposition efficiency, while higher speeds lead to losses in effectiveness.