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Blight-resistant potatoes: Switzerland tests new selection techniques without foreign DNA

Agroscope (Swiss competence center in agronomic and agri-food research) is conducting a trial on cisgenic blight-resistant potatoes, authorized by the Federal Office for the Environment. This project aims to develop varieties without foreign DNA, thereby reducing the need for plant protection products and improving resistance to extreme climatic conditions.

Methanization: A Finnish Startup Turns Digestate into Strategic Fertilizer

NPHarvest, a Finnish cleantech company, has inaugurated a pilot facility at Biogas Westerbakum GmbH in Lower Saxony, aiming to recover nutrients from liquid digestate. This membrane technology, capable of recovering up to 90% of nitrogen and phosphorus, meets increasingly stringent fertilizer application regulations in Germany.

Innovation Awards 2026: 9 Selected Candidates, AI and System Integration at the Heart of Horticultural Challenges

GreenTech Amsterdam has revealed the 9 nominees for its Innovation Awards 2026, selected from 37 applications. The categories include Concept, Innovation, and Impact, the latter highlighting products that have proven their effectiveness in the market. The winners will be announced during the event taking place from June 9 to 11, 2026, at RAI Amsterdam.

Nitrogen Under Pressure in the UK: Microbial Biostimulants as a Strategic Drought Relay

New Genomic Techniques: European Agri-Food Industry Calls for Regulatory Framework Validation

As the plenary vote approaches, a broad coalition of stakeholders in the European agri-food value chain urges Members of the European Parliament to support the adoption of regulations on plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGT). They emphasize the need for a clear legal framework to enhance the sector's competitiveness and sustainability, while highlighting the importance of distinguishing between conventional-type NGT plants and those subject to GMO legislation.

Eight Nordic Institutions Unite to Industrialize Plant Phenotyping

In response to climate change, Nordic countries are accelerating agronomic data initiatives with NordPheno, a project led by the University of Helsinki and funded by NordForsk. Bringing together eight research institutions, it aims to establish a digital plant phenotyping infrastructure that combines AI, IoT, and interdisciplinary training. The goal is to expedite varietal selection and enhance crop resilience while training over 100 researchers in five years, aligning with the European Green Deal.

Agricultural Robotics: Automated Harvester Uses AI in Greenhouses to Tackle Labor Shortage in Europe

Biostimulants: Seipasa's Kynetic4® Approved by European Regulations

Seipasa, a Spanish company specializing in biotechnological solutions for agriculture, has recently obtained European certification for its biostimulant Kynetic4®. Classified as a non-microbial biostimulant under regulation (EU) 2019/1009, Kynetic4® is designed to optimize plant flowering and enhance their metabolism, while increasing their resistance to adverse environmental conditions.

Call for Participation for the 2026 Plant Meetings in Angers

The Plant Meetings, scheduled for November 24-25, 2026, in Angers, invite industry professionals to share their research and innovations. Co-organized by Vegepolys Valley and the Institut Agro, these meetings aim to create a dialogue space around six essential themes, fostering the emergence of collaborative projects and sustainable innovation in specialized plant sectors.

European Regulation and AI: Can EU Regulation Become an Innovation Lever for Agritech?

Tersis and Vivum Aim to Transform Waste into Energy and Biochar with Modular Platform

Hectarea Raises €1.5 Million to Democratize Access to Agricultural Land from €100

Hectarea, an investment platform for agricultural land, announces a fundraising of €1.5 million to support its development and facilitate land access for new farmers. With an entry ticket lowered to €100, the company aims to democratize agricultural investment while addressing the urgent need for generational renewal in the sector, as 50% of French farmers are set to retire by 2030.

European Regulation of Plant Protection Products at the Heart of 2026 Brussels Conference

The second edition of the conference on crop protection regulation, organized by the ECCA (European Crop Protection Association), will take place in Brussels in September 2026. This crucial event for the post-patent crop protection sector will address regulatory developments related to the EU's food safety simplification package. Discussions will focus on active substance assessments and the sector's role in agricultural competitiveness, bringing together decision-makers and key stakeholders to exchange on upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Pentasweet Invests €65 Million in Fermentation Plant for Brazzein Production

In France, the Electrification Plan includes the purchase of 150 electric tractors made in Europe

New Genomic Techniques (NGT): EU Council Adopts New Rules for Sustainable Food Systems

The European Union Council has adopted a regulatory framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGT), aimed at enhancing food security and reducing external dependencies. This framework distinguishes NGT-1 plants, exempt from labeling, from NGT-2, which are subject to GMO legislation. The new rules also introduce transparency measures on intellectual property, expected to impact innovation and competitiveness in the sector. Implementation of this framework is set for 2028.

In the Netherlands, 46 PFAS Pesticides Could Be Banned Due to Drinking Water Risks

The Dutch regulator Ctgb is considering banning 46 PFAS-containing pesticides following research indicating their impact on groundwater. Potato producers, reliant on these products to combat blight, may face significant losses. The search for alternatives proves complex, as the final decision is expected by April 2028.

The Council of the European Union Supports Deregulation of GMOs/NGTs

On April 21, 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a favorable position on the deregulation of GMOs and NGTs, ending months of debate. This text, which still needs to pass through the European Parliament, could transform the landscape of agriculture and biotechnology in Europe by facilitating the use of new genetic modification techniques.

UK Government Invests £50 Million in Agritech Innovation

The UK government has announced a £50 million investment to accelerate the adoption of agricultural technologies on British farms. This program, managed by the Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK, will support up to 12 innovations, including a fungal biopesticide and mushroom-based solutions. An additional £5 million will be available for agritech businesses in 2026-27, aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Based on data from 9,000 farms, this platform supports farmers in beet cultivation

The MyEasyAI platform, a result of collaboration between the Cristal Union cooperative and the startup MyEasyFarm, relies on data analysis from 9,000 French farms. Its aim is to assist farmers in optimizing sugar beet production while minimizing the use of plant protection products, as part of an ambitious three-year program set to launch in 2025.