This edition of GrowinAgri Daily brings together key developments shaping agriculture and agrifood markets across technology, crop protection, fertilizers, genetics, animal health and global trade.
From long-term funding to safeguard more than 50,000 legume seed samples at ICRISAT’s genebank to new research on climate-resilient Sphagnum moss, the updates highlight the growing importance of agricultural innovation and genetic diversity.
The edition also covers major corporate investments, including FMC’s $403 million minority investment from Tessenderlo Group, alongside new AI and biological technologies for agriculture and CPG businesses.
Developments in nano-pesticides, fertilizer capacity expansion in China and leadership changes at CropLife India further reflect the evolving global agriculture ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s expanding animal-health exports and the Philippines’ trial shipments of durian and mangosteen to Canada highlight the growing role of international agricultural trade.
Together, these developments offer a snapshot of the technologies, investments and market movements shaping the future of agriculture.
ICRISAT Secures Long-Term Crop Trust Funding to Safeguard 50,000+ Legume Seed Samples
ICRISAT has secured long-term funding from the Crop Trust to strengthen the conservation of more than 50,000 seed samples of groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea at its genebank in India. The agreement will support seed testing, regeneration, secure backups and distribution for research and crop improvement.
ICRISAT’s legume collections have already contributed to the development of 88 crop varieties, including 38 chickpea, 33 groundnut and 17 pigeonpea varieties. One example is groundnut diversity used to develop GPBD 4, an early-maturing, high-yielding variety resistant to late leaf spot and rust.
ICRISAT has supplied more than 1.72 million seed samples to 151 countries as of December 2025, highlighting the global value of its collections. The partnership will also help acquire traditional varieties and wild relatives missing from existing collections.
The new funding provides greater long-term certainty for conserving genetic diversity that can support the development of more productive and climate-resilient crops.
Hutton Leads £2.7 Million FutureMoss Project to Develop Climate-Resilient Sphagnum
The James Hutton Institute will lead the £2.7 million FutureMoss project to strengthen the resilience of Sphagnum moss against drought and changing climate conditions.
Funded by the UK’s Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA), the two-year project brings together researchers from Hutton, UHI, UKCEH and the University of Dundee. The team will identify naturally drought-resistant Sphagnum populations across the UK and Ireland and study their genetic and biological traits.
Researchers will also develop drought-tolerant varieties using controlled breeding, a first for Sphagnum. As a key component of northern peatlands, Sphagnum plays an important role in carbon storage, biodiversity and water retention.
The project aims to increase the genetic capacity of peat mosses to withstand and recover from drought. It could support more climate-resilient peatland restoration and ecosystem management.
FMC Corporation and Tessenderlo Group Complete $403 Million Minority Investment
FMC Corporation has completed a previously announced minority equity investment by Belgian industrial group Tessenderlo Group. Under the agreement, Tessenderlo acquired 30.32 million FMC shares at $13.30 per share, representing an investment of approximately $403 million.
The transaction gives Tessenderlo Group an approximately 20% stake in FMC’s outstanding common stock. As part of the deal, Tessenderlo has the right to nominate one independent director to FMC’s Board and has nominated CEO Luc Tack for the position.
The investment also includes customary standstill provisions and a three-year lock-up period. The transaction follows the definitive agreement signed by both companies on June 30, 2026, after receiving required approvals and satisfying closing conditions.
Sound Agriculture Launches INFLECT Biological Seed Treatment for High-Ammonium Corn
Sound Agriculture has launched INFLECT, a seed-applied biological designed to help corn maintain yields in fields receiving anhydrous ammonia or heavy manure applications.
The seed treatment contains two bacterial species, Bacillus simplex and Bacillus subtilis, along with the fungus Coniochaeta nivea, selected for their tolerance to high-salt and high-stress conditions.
The microbes are intended to stabilize the root-zone environment, support root development and improve the availability of nutrients from manure and other organic sources. Sound Agriculture tested INFLECT at commercial-scale sites across Illinois, Kansas and Missouri during field trials.
The company reports an average yield increase of about six bushels per acre and improved yields at 92% of trial sites. INFLECT is currently focused on corn, while the company is exploring applications in other crops.
Confido Raises $55 Million Series B to Expand AI-Powered CPG Automation
US-based CPG technology company Confido has raised $55 million in a Series B funding round led by Insight Partners, bringing its total funding to $77 million. The company provides an AI-powered software platform that integrates finance, accounting, sales and operations workflows for consumer packaged goods brands.
Confido plans to use the new funding to accelerate product development, expand into the food service sector and strengthen hiring across product, engineering and go-to-market teams.
Founded in 2022 by Justin Hunter and Kara Holinski, the company focuses on helping consumer brands improve decision-making and protect margins.
Its platform supports areas including trade spend, finance and operational management. The funding also reflects growing investment in AI-powered back-office automation for the CPG sector.
ADAMA Partners with Zhixing Nano Science to Advance Nano-Pesticide Technologies
ADAMA has entered into a strategic partnership with Nanjing Zhixing Nano Science Research Institute to advance nano-pesticide technologies and next-generation crop protection solutions.
The collaboration combines ADAMA’s formulation, manufacturing and global product registration capabilities with Zhixing’s expertise in nano-pesticide research and industrialisation.
The partners will focus on improving pesticide formulations, product stability, metabolite risk management and overall performance. Zhixing’s nano-pesticide pre-blending technology, developed by Professor Zhang Ziyong, has been selected by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a technology for promotion.
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercially viable crop-protection products. It will also explore nano-enabled improvements to existing pesticide products, potentially enhancing formulation and delivery efficiency.
In addition, ADAMA and Zhixing plan to develop interdisciplinary talent in nano-pesticide technologies as China moves toward more efficient and sustainable crop protection.
Indorama Secures RMB 2.4 Billion Financing to Double Henan Urea Capacity
Indorama Corporation has secured RMB 2.4 billion, approximately US$358 million, in long-term financing to expand urea production at its Anyang operations in Henan Province, China.
The financing will partially fund Phase II of the fertilizer capacity expansion by Anyang Indorama Gases, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indorama Corporation. The brownfield project is expected to double the site’s urea production capacity to around 2 million tonnes per year by 2029, starting from syngas and ammonia.
The expansion will incorporate more energy-efficient production processes while strengthening domestic fertilizer supply and supporting food security. The loan facility was provided by a consortium of five banks, including OCBC Bank, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Bangkok Bank China and China CITIC Bank.
The investment follows Indorama’s acquisition of the Anyang nitrogen fertilizer business earlier in 2026. The project will expand Indorama’s fertilizer platform in China and increase the scale of its operations in one of the world’s major agricultural markets.
CropLife India Elects Rallis India’s Gyanendra Shukla as Chairman
CropLife India has elected Dr. Gyanendra Shukla, Managing Director and CEO of Rallis India, as Chairman of its Board, with Bayer’s Rajvir Rathi and BASF Agricultural Solutions India’s Giridhar Ranuva appointed as Vice Chairmen.
The leadership changes were announced following the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting in New Delhi. CropLife India represents 17 research and development-led crop protection companies, whose members account for around 75% of India’s domestic crop protection market.
The new leadership has outlined priorities including agricultural innovation, regulatory frameworks, product stewardship, climate resilience and faster access to technologies for farmers.
Shukla highlighted the need for science and innovation to increase food production from existing agricultural land and improve technology adoption. Rathi emphasized responsible product use and traceability, while Ranuva highlighted changing pest patterns driven by climate change.
CropLife India said it will continue working with government, scientific institutions and farmers to support productive, safe and sustainable crop protection practices.
Indonesia Expands Animal Health Exports with $21.3 Million Africa Shipment
Indonesia has expanded its animal-health export footprint with Vaksindo’s first major shipment of domestically produced poultry vaccines to Zambia, Congo, Uganda and Malawi, valued at $21.3 million.
The shipment includes 10 types of vaccines targeting diseases such as Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease. The move reflects Indonesia’s efforts to leverage growing domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity to serve international markets.
Vaksindo already exports animal-health products to 29 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and expects export value to reach $26 million in 2026. Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture said domestic production is meeting local demand for key poultry vaccines, creating additional capacity for overseas markets.
Veterinary medicine exports from Indonesia are reportedly growing by around 22% annually, with Indonesian vaccine products reaching 95 countries. The Africa expansion highlights the country’s broader ambition to build a globally competitive animal-health manufacturing and export industry.
Philippines Expands Fresh Durian and Mangosteen Exports with Trial Shipments to Canada
The Philippines has launched trial exports of fresh durian and mangosteen to Canada as part of efforts to diversify agricultural markets and increase opportunities for farmers.
Nearly one metric tonne of fruit is being shipped to Vancouver and Toronto, including 600 kg of durian and 320 kg of mangosteen across two consignments. The shipments are being delivered to Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd. and were transported by Philippine Airlines.
The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to expand exports of high-value crops such as durian, cacao, coffee and okra. The Department of Agriculture is seeking to develop commercially viable international markets amid the country’s agricultural trade deficit of more than $11 billion annually since 2022.
The Canada shipments build on the Philippines’ recent exports of fresh durian to France and could open another overseas market for tropical fruits. Sustained growth will depend on reliable supply, product quality, logistics costs and the ability to convert trial shipments into recurring commercial trade.