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Top Funding, M&A’s in Agritech of this Week | AgriTech Intelligence- 1

This week, many AgriTech and related companies received investments, and we have covered summaries of these funding rounds. let’s see…

Equitable Earth Raises $14.7M to Scale Trusted Certification for Nature-Based Carbon Projects

Paris-based carbon markets standard platform Equitable Earth has raised €12.6 million ($14.7 million) in a new funding round to expand its certification programme for nature-based carbon projects. Founded in 2020, the company provides a global certification standard approved under the ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles (CCPs), ensuring projects deliver verified benefits for climate, biodiversity, and local communities. The funding will be used to strengthen data systems, modelling, R&D, and digital certification tools, grow its teams, expand the supply of certified credits, and develop new methodologies for threatened ecosystems, helping make carbon markets more trusted, transparent, and scalable.

reTyre Raises €7M to Scale Low-Carbon, Fully Recyclable Bike Tyres Made from Ocean Material

Norway-based startup reTyre has raised €7 million to scale its patented injection-moulding technology for producing low-carbon, 100% recyclable bicycle tyres using materials such as invasive sargassum seaweed and oyster shells. Led by Hatch Blue’s Blue Revolution Fund, with participation from Fundracer and existing investors, the funding will support production scale-up, fulfil a growing order book, and accelerate profitability. reTyre’s technology cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 80%, enables decentralised manufacturing near OEMs, and reduces transport emissions. The company will install its first fully automated production cell in Norway, followed by an Asian facility in 2026, and has entered a strategic co-development partnership with Vittoria to launch next-generation performance tyres based on its platform.

Black Bull Biochar Raises £4M to Scale Biochar Production and Carbon Removal Across the UK and Europe

UK-based Black Bull Biochar (BBB) has secured £4 million in late seed funding to expand its biochar production and low-carbon heat solutions across North West England and accelerate entry into northern Europe, including Denmark. The round was co-led by TSP Ventures and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Investment Fund, with participation from Old College Capital, and includes £2M in equity and £2M in debt from Innovate UK’s Future Economy Facility. The funding will support new production sites, expanded R&D, and the relocation of BBB’s headquarters from London to Manchester. BBB’s pyrolysis technology converts sustainably sourced biomass into high-quality biochar for soil health and long-term carbon storage, while also decarbonising industrial heat systems, positioning the company as a scalable player in agricultural decarbonisation and carbon removals.

UK’s Verna Raises $4M to Use AI for Turning Biodiversity Reporting into Long-Term Nature Restoration

London-based NatureTech startup Verna has raised $4 million to help organisations move beyond biodiversity reporting and deliver measurable, long-term nature recovery projects. The funding round was led by NAP (Berlin) and Übermorgen (Zurich), with participation from Vanneck, Love Ventures, Concrete Ventures, and Climate VC. Verna’s platform integrates existing biodiversity datasets, supports planning and decision-making, and tracks restoration outcomes over decades, with upcoming AI-powered tools to optimise and verify recovery plans. Within a year of launch, the company surpassed $1M in ARR and now serves 3,000+ users across 100 organisations, initially focusing on Biodiversity Net Gain projects and expanding globally as demand for nature-positive action accelerates.

Hydrosat Raises $60M to Scale Thermal Satellite Data and AI Analytics for Water, Agriculture, and Defense

Thermal satellite data provider Hydrosat has raised $60 million in new funding to accelerate expansion across commercial, civil government, and defense markets. The financing includes Series B capital and additional equity, led by Hartree Partners, Subutai Capital Partners, and Space 4 Earth, with new participation from Truffle Capital and follow-on investments from existing backers. Hydrosat operates two thermal infrared satellites, delivering daily, field-scale temperature data across more than 10 million sq. km, and uses AI-powered analytics to generate actionable insights for water management, irrigation optimisation, drought monitoring, and resource security. The funding will support constellation expansion, product development, and deeper regional presence across Central Asia, MENA, India, and Latin America.

USask-Led Crop Research Projects Secure $4.5M to Advance Climate-Smart and Resilient Agriculture

More than $4.5 million has been awarded to 24 University of Saskatchewan (USask)–led crop research projects through Canada’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), announced at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum. In total, 39 crop-focused projects received ADF support in this funding round, with USask researchers leading more than half. The funded research spans soil health and carbon storage, crop genetics, pest and disease resistance, protein processing, and climate-smart agriculture, covering crops such as wheat, barley, pulses, oilseeds, and specialty crops. Additional support includes $2.5M from the Strategic Research Initiative for herbicide resistance research and $3.2M in industry contributions, reinforcing strong public–private collaboration to strengthen Canada’s agri-food resilience.

AfDB to Invest €102 Million to Boost Poultry and Crop Production in Benin

The African Development Bank approves a €102.12 million loan to Benin to implement the first phase of its Agriculture Transformation Programme in the savannah region. The project will cultivate 120,000 ha of maize and 80,000 ha of soybean, supporting annual poultry production of 41,000 tonnes. Benefiting 50,000 farmers directly and 500,000 indirectly, the initiative promotes climate-resilient seeds, structured water management, mechanization, and women’s participation, strengthening food security, livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth.

NPHarvest Receives Up to €1.2M from Business Finland Deep Tech Accelerator to Scale Fertilizer Innovation

Finnish cleantech company NPHarvest, which develops fertilizer inputs by recovering nutrients from liquid waste streams, has been selected for up to €1.2 million in funding through Business Finland’s Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA) program. The phased funding is tied to technical and commercial milestones and supports the company’s transition from pilot-scale demonstrations to scalable deployment. NPHarvest addresses nutrient overload challenges in Europe’s waste-to-energy sector by recovering nitrogen and phosphorus and converting them into usable fertilizers. The company’s industrial-scale demonstrator and field trials have validated the performance of recycled nutrients, positioning NPHarvest for broader commercialization across European agricultural and industrial markets.

Grove Secures $5M Seed Round to Build Demand-Driven Fresh Produce Supply Chain in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh-based fresh-produce startup Grove has raised $5M in Seed funding led by Outliers VC, with participation from angel investors, to scale its technology-enabled supply chain. Founded in 2024, the company operates a vertically coordinated model that connects farms, markets, and households while aligning production with real consumer demand. Grove aims to improve quality, transparency, and sustainability by shifting away from volume-driven, intermediary-led systems. The platform reports repeat-purchase rates of nearly 48% and food waste below 5%, highlighting strong early traction. The new funding will support expansion of its demand-driven model across Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing fresh produce market.

Indorama India Secures $72.9M Sustainability-Linked Trade Facility from DBS Bank India

Indorama India Private Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Indorama Corporation, has secured a sustainability-linked trade facility of approximately $72.9M from DBS Bank India—the bank’s largest single-ticket facility of this kind. The financing is tied to predefined environmental performance targets, enabling Indorama to access capital while reducing energy, water, and emissions intensity across its manufacturing operations. The partnership strengthens Indorama’s liquidity while embedding sustainability into its financial strategy, reinforcing the company’s commitment to ESG-driven growth and responsible business practices.

Tagros Chemicals Acquires Bayer’s Flubendiamide Assets to Expand Global Footprint

Tagros Chemicals India has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bayer AG’s Flubendiamide (FLB) business assets across Latin America, EMEA, and the Asia-Pacific region, significantly strengthening its global crop protection portfolio. The transaction includes formulations, trademarks, product registrations, regulatory and technical data, and inventories related to the diamide insecticide, providing Tagros access to more than 25 international markets. The acquisition enhances Tagros’ position in the diamide segment and marks its strategic entry into the B2C formulations market through its newly established entity, Arqivo, enabling the company to move closer to end-users with branded products while building a more integrated global presence in agricultural inputs.

Editor’s Note – First Edition of AgriTech Intelligence

Built for Decision-Makers

Welcome to the inaugural edition of AgriTech Intelligence by GrowinAgri! Designed for decision-makers, this newsletter brings you the most relevant insights from global AgriTech, FoodTech, and sustainability sectors.

This week, we highlight major investment moves shaping the future of agriculture — from Equitable Earth raising $14.7M to expand carbon certification, to Hydrosat securing $60M for AI-powered thermal satellite analytics, and Grove’s $5M seed round to scale demand-driven fresh produce supply chains in Saudi Arabia. Strategic acquisitions like Tagros Chemicals acquiring Bayer’s Flubendiamide assets and Indorama India securing a $72.9M sustainability-linked trade facility further illustrate the pace of innovation and global expansion.

These stories showcase how capital, technology, and sustainability are converging to create smarter, more resilient, and profitable agriculture. AgriTech Intelligence distills these developments to help founders, investors, and executives make informed decisions that drive growth.

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Bonsai Robotics Boosts Team to Revolutionize Farming

Bonsai Robotics, a company creating smart machines for farmers, is making big moves! They’ve added new leaders to their team and bought another company called farm-ng to make farming easier with high-tech tools.

What’s Happening?

Bonsai Robotics welcomed a group of experts to lead their mission. These leaders know a lot about farming, robots, and computers. In July, Bonsai also bought farm-ng, a company that builds electric farm machines. This helps Bonsai offer more solutions to farmers.

Why It Matters

Bonsai is working on machines that can think for themselves using cameras and computers. These machines:

  • Work in tough spots, like dusty fields or places with no GPS.
  • Fit on old tractors or new electric machines, like the Bonsai Amiga.
  • Team up to get jobs done faster.
  • Share information to help farmers save money and grow better crops.

Who’s on the Team?

The new leaders bring tons of experience:

  • Tyler Niday, CEO: Built machines at John Deere and Blue River.
  • Ugur Oezdemir, CTO: Expert in making machines “see” with cameras.
  • John Teeple, COO: Ran tech projects at John Deere.
  • Matt Pigeon, CFO: Manages money for big companies.
  • Gary Bradski, Chief Science Officer: Created OpenCV, a tool that helps computers understand pictures.
  • Brendan Dowdle, Chief Business Officer: Used to lead farm-ng and now helps sell Bonsai’s machines.
  • Arlen Frew, CRO: Knows how to get new tech to farmers.

Looking Ahead

Bonsai is already testing its machines on crops like fruits and veggies. These machines help farmers who don’t have enough workers and make farming cheaper and faster. With their new team and farm-ng’s tech, Bonsai is ready to change farming for the better!

Autonomous Mushroom Harvesting Company 4AG Robotics Raises $40M CAD

Great news for Mushroom industry, worldwide; because an autonomous mushroom harvesting company, 4AG Robotics raises $40M CAD.

About 4AG Robotics

4AG Robotics a Canadian Company which is working with robotics for mushroom industry. this company help mushroom growers for harvesting mushrooms with their autonomous robots. their robots currently operate in Canada, Ireland, and Australia, with launches planned in the U.S. and Netherlands.

About Funding

This investment $40M CAD is series B funding round. this financing to accelerate production and global expansion. The round was led by Astanor and Cibus Capital, with participation from Voyager Capital and continued support from InBC, Emmertech, BDC Industrial Innovation Fund, the Jim Richardson Family Office, Stray Dog Capital, and Seraph Group. The new funding brings the company’s total capital raised to $57.5 million in two years.

Target is $60 billion Industry

According to 4AG, The global mushroom market is set to grow exponentially, reaching a projected value of $60 billion by 2030. However, as demand surges, the industry faces a stark reality: a growing gap in labor availability.

Future Plans of 4AG

Plan is clear of 4AG Robotics. global expansion & innovation in their technology. what you think about this 4AG Robotics and their technology and this investment also; comment below!

Today’s Top 7 Agri Updates | 22 July 2025

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1. China Reaffirms Food Security at 16th International Agri-Trade Policy Conference

Beijing hosted the 16th International Agricultural Trade Policy Conference on July 15, bringing together leaders from the WTO, FAO, and various international diplomats. Vice Minister Zhang Zhili reiterated China’s commitment to bolstering food security through a dual strategy of robust domestic production and moderate imports. Amid rising global protectionism, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change, the conference underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration, resilient supply chains, and advancing green transformation in agriculture. The 2025 China Agro-Trade Report was also released, setting a strategic path for China’s engagement in global agriculture.

2. India Set to Boost Global Pulse Production by 8 Million Tonnes by 2034

India is projected to contribute an additional 8 million tonnes of pulses to global output by 2034. This forecast from the OECD-FAO Outlook attributes growth to:

  • Hybrid seed adoption
  • Enhanced mechanization
  • Supportive policies for farmers
  • Wider intercropping practices by smallholders

Per capita pulse consumption in India is set to reach 8.6kg annually by 2034, promising improved nutrition and increased farmer incomes. India’s leadership solidifies Asia’s pivotal role in meeting the world’s rising pulse demand.

3. Kharif Sowing Momentum: 708 Lakh Hectares Surpassed, Cotton Down

As of July 18, 2025, India’s Kharif sowing covered 708.31 lakh hectares, up nearly 28 lakh hectares year-on-year. Key highlights:

  • Rice: Registered the highest growth, up by 19.47 lakh hectares.
  • Coarse Cereals & Pulses: Expanded significantly.
  • Cotton: Acreage declined by 3 lakh hectares, attributed to market price volatility and delayed monsoons.
  • Soybean: Area fell, but groundnut and bajra recorded gains.

Despite setbacks in cotton and oilseeds, India’s overall Kharif season displays solid momentum.

4. Chhattisgarh Acts Against Fertilizer and Seed Black Marketing

Cracking down on black marketing, Chhattisgarh authorities conducted surprise raids in Bilaspur district:

  • Notices issued to three dealers for unauthorized sales and billing irregularities.
  • One license suspended for 15 days over non-compliance.
  • Warehouses sealed and sales banned for regulatory violations.

A mandatory POS (Point-of-Sale) system for all fertilizer transactions is now enforced, protecting farmers from adulteration and unfair practices.

5. Google Unveils AMED AI Tool for Indian Farmers

Google, in partnership with IIT Kharagpur under the Amplify Initiative, introduced AMED API—an AI-driven tool designed to help Indian farmers:

  • Monitor crops and farmland in real time using satellite imagery and machine learning.
  • Identify crops, measure fields, and detect sowing/harvest dates.

While initial adoption is slow due to income constraints and fragmented landholdings, the tool aims to boost productivity and resilience for Indian farmers. Notably, it also supports India’s linguistic and cultural diversity through tailored AI datasets.

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6. Bihar Announces ₹50,000 per Hectare Fruit Cultivation Subsidy

The Bihar government has launched a new subsidy—₹50,000 per hectare—to promote commercial fruit farming (guava, amla, apple ber, lemon) under its Crop Diversification Programme. Key features:

  • Covers 50% of the ₹1 lakh cultivation cost, split into two installments.
  • Available for up to 4 hectares per eligible farmer.
  • Online, first-come-first-served application to ensure transparency.

This scheme aims to increase farmer incomes and promote climate-resilient, high-return horticulture.

7. Gujarat Mango Exports Surge, Gir Kesar in Spotlight

Gujarat has exported 3,000 tons of mangoes in the last five years, with a record 29% shipped in 2024-25 alone. The famed Gir Kesar mango, protected by GI tag, is seeing heightened global demand—especially in the US and South Africa. Other highlights:

  • Mango production climbed 21% from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
  • Cultivation area increased by 8.4%.
  • Amreli district led with 8.16 tons/hectare productivity.
  • An irradiation facility in Bavla improved export quality, treating 805 tons of mangoes since 2019.

ICAR’s New Genome-Edited Rice Varieties Promise Resilience and Higher Yields

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken a major leap forward in rice cultivation with the launch of two new genome-edited rice varieties. Designed to tackle the growing challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and soil salinity, these varieties are not just scientific achievements — they are game changers for Indian farmers.

Let’s explore what makes these new rice varieties special.

Pusa Rice DST1 – Less Water, More Resilience

Developed by the team at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, led by Dr. Viswanathan C., Pusa Rice DST1 has been created using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This variety is tailor-made for regions facing water shortage and soil salinity.

What sets it apart is its ability to thrive on less water, thanks to its lower stomatal density. It grows faster with more tillers, larger leaves, and produces a higher number of grains. Even in the absence of stress conditions, it delivers a strong yield — and under drought or salt stress, it still performs reliably. This is the kind of innovation that can make a real difference for farmers working in tough environments.

DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) – High Yield Meets Early Maturity

The second breakthrough, DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala), has been developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad. Dr. Satendra K. Mangrauthia, Dr. R.M. Sundaram, and their team used SDN1 genome editing to enhance the popular Samba Mahsuri variety.

DRR Dhan 100 isn’t just another high-yielding rice — it offers a 19% increase in grain yield and matures 15 to 20 days earlier than its predecessor. It also comes with moderate drought tolerance and retains the high grain quality that Samba Mahsuri is known for. For farmers, this means better returns in less time, with the added benefit of resilience in uncertain weather.

A New Era for Indian Rice Farmers

These two varieties reflect how science and agriculture can work hand in hand to solve real-world problems. With climate conditions becoming more unpredictable, and natural resources like water becoming scarcer, the need for such resilient crops has never been greater.

ICAR’s efforts in developing genome-edited rice varieties like Pusa Rice DST1 and DRR Dhan 100 show a strong commitment to sustainable and future-ready farming. For farmers across India, especially in vulnerable regions, these innovations offer hope — and the promise of better productivity, profitability, and peace of mind.

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