AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

US Department of Agriculture Awards Palantir $300 Million Contract to Digitize Farmer Services

The partnership between the US Department of Agriculture and Palantir Technologies, valued at $300 million, aims to modernize services for farmers and enhance food security. Leveraging the Landmark platform, this project promises to expedite farmer enrollment in aid programs, reduce bureaucracy, and improve the resilience of the food supply chain.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "USDA Signs $300 Million Agreement With Palantir to Modernize..." - 23 April 2026

Middle East Conflict: Concerns in the US and Brazil Over Fertilizer Dependence

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East highlights the vulnerability of agricultural systems in the US and Brazil due to increasing reliance on imported fertilizers. While the US strives to maintain strong domestic production, Brazil, the world's largest importer with 88% of its consumption sourced from abroad, faces significant challenges in meeting surging demand. Both countries must consider strategies to enhance their fertilizer autonomy to ensure competitiveness in the global grain market.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Middle East conflict revives concerns over fertilizer depend..." - 23 April 2026

The Decline of Meat Alternatives Continues in the U.S., but Plant Proteins Gain Ground in Beverages

In 2025, sales of plant-based meat and dairy products in the U.S. saw a significant decline, while plant-based beverages recorded substantial growth. Despite a challenging investment climate, the plant protein sector continues to evolve, with companies adapting and diversifying their products.

Elaine Watson, Source: Agfundernews, published under the title "US alt-meat slump continues, but plant protein gains tractio..." - 22 April 2026

Techwave and Capital Farm Credit Launch AgriNext for Agricultural Lending in North America

Techwave, a digital services provider, partners with Capital Farm Credit to introduce AgriNext, an innovative customer engagement platform. This initiative aims to transform interactions between agricultural borrowers and financial institutions by integrating loan application processes and portfolio management while ensuring compliance requirements are met. With over 24,500 members and a loan volume of $13 billion, Capital Farm Credit brings its agricultural finance expertise to modernize the lending experience.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Techwave Partners with Capital Farm Credit to Launch AgriNex..." - 30 March 2026

North Dakota AgTech Engine Secures $45 Million from NSF

The North Dakota AgTech Engine, backed by the National Science Foundation, has secured significant funding of $45 million to enhance technological innovation in agriculture and workforce development. This initiative, which has already mobilized $60 million for its first five years, aims to foster startup growth and improve educational opportunities for future professionals in agriculture and engineering.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "NDSU Receives $45M NSF Award for AgTech Engine Expansion" - 30 March 2026

Breast Milk: Could Plants Replace Microbes? The Bet by Totality Biosciences

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), crucial for infants' immune development, are currently produced through costly microbial fermentation. Emerging from the ecosystem of the University of California, Berkeley, startup Totality Biosciences is developing a plant synthetic biology approach to transform plants into 'factories' for HMOs, aiming to reduce costs, expand diversity, and extend their use beyond infant formulas.

Elaine Watson, Source: Agfundernews, published under the title "🎥Totality Biosciences bets on plants to scale human milk ol..." - 28 March 2026

The Rise of AI in Agriculture: Innovations and Collaborations at San Francisco Summit

The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit held in San Francisco last week highlighted the growing integration of artificial intelligence in agriculture, with companies ranging from satellites to autonomous robots and biotechnological solutions. This technological convergence is transforming the agricultural landscape, promoting sustainable practices and strategic collaboration between startups and large enterprises.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "From space to field: Agriculture's AI stack is taking shape" - 24 March 2026

Supply Chain Disruptions in Fertilizers: ARA Alerts Trump

The American Retailers Association (ARA) has raised concerns with President Trump regarding supply chain disruptions in fertilizers, which are impacting agricultural production and the rural economy. Retailers are facing delivery delays and allocation pressures, complicating resource management for farmers. These challenges threaten not only agricultural productivity but also the economic stability of rural communities, where retailers play a key role as employers.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "USA - Agricultural Retailers Association leads letter to Pre..." - 17 March 2026

CETY and METIS Power: A Modular Solution to Transform Agricultural Waste into Energy

Clean Energy Technologies, a specialist in energy recovery solutions for waste, and METIS Power, a provider of energy production and storage systems, are partnering to develop a modular energy recovery solution that integrates advanced technologies to generate energy from various waste streams. This initiative aims to enhance energy resilience in rural areas of North America while reducing waste transport and disposal costs. Both companies will showcase their innovation at the International Biomass Conference in August 2026.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "CETY and METIS Power Develop Modular Waste-to-Energy Solutio..." - 13 March 2026

$25 Million to Strengthen Agricultural Research and Innovation at UC Davis

The University of California, Davis receives a $25 million donation from Dan G. Best II to enhance its agricultural research capabilities. The funding will notably create three chairs in key areas such as agricultural data analysis and robotics, and support scholarships and projects related to the future Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation dedicated to AI and environmental engineering.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "UC Davis Receives $25 Million Bequest for Agricultural Innov..." - 9 March 2026

MyLand and Growers Edge Launch Yield Guarantee for Farmers

American startup MyLand partners with Growers Edge to offer a program guaranteeing farmers a return on investment of at least $250 per acre. This initiative, based on field trials, applies particularly to apple, pistachio, and almond crops. Producers can enroll for the 2026 season, aiming to reduce the financial risk associated with adopting soil health solutions.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "MyLand launches warranty program guaranteeing grower ROI fro..." - 9 March 2026

Soil Microbes: Unexpected Allies of Soybeans Against Nematodes

Researchers from the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory of the USDA demonstrate that certain resistant soybean varieties recruit soil microorganisms capable of limiting the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), one of the most destructive pests of the crop. These microbial communities can then be transferred to other soils to protect sensitive varieties, paving the way for new protection strategies based on microbiome management.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Soybeans recruit beneficial soil microbes to defend against ..." - 9 March 2026

Mercy Corps Ventures and Salicrop: A Pilot Project for Climate-Resilient Tomatoes in Mexico

Mercy Corps Ventures has selected Salicrop for a pilot project aimed at testing a non-GMO seed treatment technology designed to enhance tomato resilience against heat and salinity. This initiative, part of a water security program, targets farmers in Baja California facing extreme climatic conditions. Crop trials are scheduled for the 2026 season, with rigorous monitoring of agronomic performance and sustainability indicators.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Mercy Corps Ventures Launches Pilot with Salicrop to Support..." - 16 February 2026

A Hydroponic Farm to Strengthen Food Sovereignty in Canada

The Fisher River Cree Nation, in collaboration with ADRA Canada and Growcer Corp., inaugurates a hydroponic farm to improve access to fresh produce in Northern Manitoba. This project, which will produce 10,000 pounds of leafy greens and herbs annually, aims to support approximately 1,500 community members while providing educational and employment opportunities. Profits from excess sales will be reinvested in food and energy sovereignty initiatives, thereby enhancing local resilience and sustainable development.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Fisher River Cree Nation Launches Hydroponic Farm to Strengt..." - 12 February 2026

AI in Phytoprotection: A Revolution for Quebec's Crops

A Quebec research team is developing an artificial intelligence platform to anticipate threats to crops, combining diverse data to provide precise recommendations to farmers. This project aims to optimize pesticide use while adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, thus contributing to sustainable and responsible agriculture.

Source: Agri-réseau, published under the title "L'IA s’invite au champ : un arsenal de données pour mieux pr..." - 5 February 2026

Alert on the Agricultural Crisis in the U.S.: Former Leaders Urge Congress to Act

A bipartisan group of former agricultural leaders warns of the imminent collapse of American agriculture, citing rising bankruptcies and loss of market share. They are calling for concrete actions from Congress to support farmers, including tariff exemptions on agricultural inputs and a review of trade agreements. The recommendations aim to restore competitiveness and ensure the survival of family farms, which are essential to the rural economy.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "USA - Former agriculture leaders warn of farm economy in cri..." - 5 February 2026

American Farmers' Sentiment Plummets in January 2025

Purdue's agricultural economy barometer reveals a significant drop in American farmers' sentiment in January, with deteriorating financial conditions and growing concerns about agricultural exports. Producers anticipate increased financial pressure, exacerbated by unpaid debts, and express fears over international competition, particularly from Brazil.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Farmer Sentiment Declines Sharply in January as Ag Economy B..." - 4 February 2026

Sustainable Greenhouses: Engineering and Material Quality as Performance Keys

QUEBEC. According to Harnois, a specialist in greenhouse infrastructure, the longevity and performance of projects depend on the quality of materials, engineering tailored to local contexts, and long-term support. An integrated approach, combining custom design and regulatory expertise, also helps mitigate risks for producers, especially during installation phases.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Christopher McIntosh on Quality, Service, and Long-Term Thin..." - 2 February 2026

North America

Corteva Launches Telbek™ PRO, a Weapon Against Ear Fusarium and Leaf Diseases

Corteva Agriscience has announced the launch of Telbek™ PRO, an innovative fungicide aimed at Canadian wheat producers. This product introduces a new mode of action to combat ear fusarium and other leaf diseases while delaying the development of resistance, and will be available for the 2026 growing season.

MADISON HONG, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Corteva Launches Telbek™ PRO Fungicide for Canadian Wheat Gr..." - 21 January 2026

Yield Edge: When Energy Becomes a Revenue Source for Farms

UNITED STATES. Yield Energy has unveiled Yield Edge, an innovative system for managing decentralized energy resources specifically designed for the agricultural sector. This system allows farmers to participate in energy flexibility programs while maintaining their usual farming practices. With over 200 MW of managed agricultural load, Yield Edge promises to transform how farms interact with the power grid, providing revenue opportunities while supporting grid reliability.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Yield Energy Launches Agriculture-Focused DERMS to Unlock Gr..." - 20 January 2026