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[前沿资讯 ] The AgTech Outlook for 2025: Recovery, Reality Checks, and Opportunities 进入全文
Micropep;Global Ag Tech Initiative;
Even though the AgTech sector in North America showed some growth this year, increasing in value from $9.26 billion in 2023 to an estimated $11.46 billion, it was still a turbulent 12 months. Constrained funding, uncertain economic conditions, and rising challenges for companies navigating the biological and crop protection landscape all contributed to a more restrained environment. However, there is reason for cautious optimism in the new year. Investment trends are evolving, with investor expectations shifting. There are also opportunities emerging for those organizations that can deliver tangible value. To this end, we’ve identified five trends that will contribute to the AgTech outlook in the coming months. These will be shaped by macroeconomic conditions globally and particularly in the US, investor priorities, and technological innovation. 1. Recovery depends on macroeconomic stability Sustainable growth in the AgTech sector in 2025 will be closely tied to macroeconomic stability, not just in the US but on a global scale. Trade tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures remain key challenges, but much of the sector’s momentum hinges on decisions made by the incoming US and various European administrations. Policies surrounding climate initiatives, subsidies, and agricultural trade agreements will either create an enabling environment for investment or deepen market uncertainty. A more stable global economic outlook, combined with supportive domestic policies, could restore investor confidence and unlock funding opportunities. Conversely, prolonged stagnation or unfavorable policies could extend the challenges seen throughout 2024. For the AgTech industry, stability is the foundation for growth, and 2025 will be a critical year in determining whether this balance can be achieved. 2. A new breed of investors with higher expectations Additionally, the investor landscape for AgTech is changing. Many traditional AgTech venture funds, having struggled to secure strong exits, are unlikely to raise new rounds of funding. In their place, impact-focused and climate-centric VCs are stepping in, driven by the urgency to address climate change and its critical ties to agriculture. If anything, food and agriculture will be one of the most important components of this climate change focus. These investors bring with them a new set of priorities, placing greater emphasis on sustainability, measurable results, and long-term viability. For startups, the bar has been raised. Investors are demanding clearer proof points, tighter unit economics, and scalable business models that can pass more intense scrutiny. While this shift may favor younger startups still in early growth stages, later-stage companies that have yet to demonstrate financial viability could face significant hurdles. Funding will likely flow to startups that can pass the ‘reality check’ on scalability and value creation. Even so, higher investor expectations will likely see lower valuations continue for the foreseeable future. 3. Big acquisitions are on hold — Smaller players will seize the opportunity The financial challenges faced by major agrochemical companies suggest that large-scale acquisitions in the AgTech space will remain subdued in 2025. Many of the industry’s biggest players are focused on cost control and operational efficiency, leaving little appetite for major deals. This pause in acquisitions is likely to continue for the next three to four years as these companies manage their financial performances and recover from ongoing market pressures. However, this shift presents opportunities for second-tier players and private equity firms to step into the vacuum. Smaller companies with strategic capital could take advantage of asset divestments and forced sales, acquiring distressed assets or undervalued technologies. The result may be a wave of roll-up strategies, where agile players consolidate assets and strengthen their market positions. We anticipate that this will be one of the most interesting areas to watch in 2025. Companies with time-sensitive investors may be forced into sales at lower valuations, creating openings for strategic consolidations at a fraction of the value. 4. Generative AI will drive targeted innovation Generative AI (GenAI) is emerging as one of the most transformative tools in agriculture, and its role in 2025 will be increasingly practical. The focus will no longer be on broad AI promises but rather on solving specific, high-value problems. Companies applying GenAI to targeted areas such as soil health monitoring, crop disease prediction, supply chain management, and biological innovation are well-positioned to attract significant funding. The growing sophistication of AI models allows startups to identify solutions that unlock real efficiencies for farmers, streamline processes, and reduce costs. Investors will prioritize those organizations that can demonstrate measurable results, backed by comprehensive AI-driven processes. 5. The US recovery could outpace Europe but with caveats While Europe’s regulatory consistency provides a foundation of resilience for AgTech investment, the US presents both greater potential and higher volatility. The sheer scale of the US market, combined with its innovation-driven ecosystem, positions it for a sharper recovery if favorable policies emerge. Climate-focused regulation, trade agreements, and incentives for sustainable agriculture could accelerate this rebound, fostering an environment where funding flows more readily to innovative companies. However, this recovery is highly sensitive to political shifts. If climate policy is deprioritized or a more protectionist stance is adopted, the momentum could stall. Europe, in contrast, may lack the dynamism of the US market but offers steady progress driven by its long-term commitment to sustainability and stricter regulatory frameworks. Potential for a new beginning While macroeconomic uncertainty persists, the opportunities for companies to deliver measurable value in AgTech are growing. New investors, particularly those focused on climate and demonstratable impact, are entering the space with clear expectations, while technologies like GenAI are enabling practical, targeted innovation. At the same time, a pause in major acquisitions may create room for smaller players to consolidate and thrive. For startups and innovators willing to navigate these evolving dynamics, 2025 could mark the beginning of a new and transformative chapter for AgTech.
[前沿资讯 ] 2024 AgTech Venture Capital Investment and Exit Round Up 进入全文
CropLife;Global Ag Tech Initiative;
Last year, our analysis of Crunchbase data shows 736 AgTech startups raised a total of $5.7B, writes market expert Kyle Welborn at CropLife. This represents a flat level of funding and a small decrease in deals from 2023. There were 37 AgTech exits last year, 36 M&A transactions and one IPO. This is up 32% from the 28 AgTech exits from 2023. Key Takeaways from Last Year In 2024, startup funding mirrored the previous year, with $314B raised globally across industries — a 3% increase from 2023. AgTech made up 1.82% of total venture capital funding. Compared to 2023, robotics startups saw a $135M funding increase, while funding for crops and genetics startups grew by $280M in 2024. However, climate monitoring and farmer credit startups raised $300M less, and funding for controlled environment agriculture dropped by $125M compared to 2023. AgTech exits began to rebound compared with 2023. Data from Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association count 3,083 venture backed exits last year. That means AgTech related deals accounted for 1.2% of all exits in 2024. There were 34 unique groups that acquired an AgTech startup last year, of which 47% of those acquirers were startups and early-stage companies, 44% were more mature or established companies, and 9% were investment firms and holding companies. Startup-to-startup acquisitions are often stock-based, so around 19 M&A transactions last year likely involved cash that went back to founders and investors. AgTech Venture Investments Below is a breakout of the deals and dollars that flowed to different sectors of AgTech last year:
[前沿资讯 ] Open Prairie CEO on How to Navigate the AgTech Renaissance 进入全文
CropLife;Global Ag Tech Initiative;
As we start 2025, the agtech industry stands at a pivotal juncture, writes Open Prairie CEO Jim Schultz at CropLife. After weathering the storms of inflated promises and sobering reality checks, we’re witnessing a renaissance in agricultural technology investment. This resurgence is particularly encouraging for those of us at Open Prairie, a grower-owned investment firm deeply rooted in the heartland of America. For 25 years, our team has been at the forefront of agtech innovation, experiencing firsthand the industry’s ebbs and flows. The exuberance of 2020-2022, with its inflated promises, led to a sobering reality check for investors in 2023 and early 2024. However, as we approach the new year, there’s a palpable shift in the air. The agtech sector’s recent turbulence can be attributed in part to what I call the “space traveler money” phenomenon. Silicon Valley investors, seeking new frontiers but unfamiliar with the nuances of the farm economy, flooded the market with unrealistic valuations and expectations. The fall of Silicon Valley Bank serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of this approach. As a grower-owned firm, Open Prairie brings a unique perspective to agtech investment. Our deep connections to the farming community allow us to identify and nurture technologies that address real-world agricultural challenges. Our Rural Opportunities funds, our two private equity funds licensed by the USDA, along with our Farmers Capital Fund, made up of 220,000 farmer and rancher members, focuses on providing capital from growth stage to early-stage companies in food and agriculture. Farmer Adoption on the Rise While it was a painful time for many in agtech – especially entrepreneurs and farmers – it seems we have come through wiser and more focused on making real impact as we shift from the age of excess to success. The path to successful agtech innovation lies in understanding and addressing the needs of farmers. Recent studies have shown that profitability remains the most influential factor in technology adoption. Farmers are increasingly embracing precision agriculture technologies, with adoption rates varying from 10% to 60% depending on the specific technology. For ag retailers, this presents a unique opportunity. By acting as trusted advisors and technology facilitators, retailers can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between innovative solutions and on-farm implementation. Retailers can offer bundled services, provide training, and demonstrate the ROI of new technologies, thereby accelerating adoption rates and improving their own business models.
[前沿资讯 ] John Deere revolutionizes rural farm connectivity with JDLink® Boost Launch 进入全文
Deere & Co.;Global Ag Tech Initiative;
John Deere announced today the release of JDLink® Boost™, a satellite connectivity solution to ensure customers continue seamless work in fields with little to no cellular coverage. The new JDLink Boost option supports the partnership, announced a year ago, between John Deere and Starlink by SpaceX network, providing farmers who face rural connectivity challenges with the opportunity to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies. “JDLink Boost brings a game-changing solution to farmers by streamlining connectivity and providing seamless access to critical data that drives informed decision-making,” said Ryan Stien, John Deere go-to-market manager for digital technologies. “We’re proud to deliver technology that not only empowers farmers to operate more efficiently and effectively today but also lays the foundation for the future of agriculture.” Unlocked Technologies Enable Solutions JDLink Boost will especially benefit farmers when they are operating in fields where cellular coverage is limited or unreliable. A secure and faster connection in the field provides farmers real-time access to their machine and agronomic data. Improved connectivity allows for timely decision-making regarding irrigation, fertilization, pest control and harvesting. Precision ag technologies that benefit from improved connectivity include: • In-Field Data Sharing: Data sharing in real time can optimize resource use, leading to more efficient application processes and reduced waste. • AutoPath™: Automating the creation of paths based on field boundaries can reduce setup time for more efficient field work. • Remote Monitoring & Alerts: Identifying issues of inefficiencies as they occur helps ensure equipment is running at optimal levels. • Connected Support: Customers and dealers can better collaborate for faster response times to any issues with solutions like Expert Alerts™, Service ADVISOR™ Remote, and Remote Display Access. • See & Spray™: Real-time transmission of agronomic and machine data from sensors and cameras mounted on the sprayer, enabling immediate analysis and response. • Harvest Automation: Integration of various sensors and automated systems that control combines, ensuring crops are harvested efficiently without missing any areas. “Farmers in areas with unreliable mobile service coverage on their farms will now have unlocked potential through numerous precision applications, thanks to JDLink Boost,” Stien said. “Faster access to these technologies will unlock customer value with optimized operations through a strong focus on logistics.” Continuous Connectivity, Continuous Work Faster and more reliable connectivity helps farmers and dealers more quickly diagnose machine issues, helping reduce downtime and ultimately boosting operational efficiency. “With real-time access to data on machine usage and performance, John Deere can provide predictive maintenance recommendations, which helps farmers schedule maintenance activities at convenient times, reducing unexpected breakdowns and ensuring equipment is always operational,” Stien said. “JDLink Boost enables secure transmission to Connected Support, allowing technicians to remotely diagnose issues with equipment, speeding up repairs and reducing the need for on-site visits, saving farmers time and money.” JDLink Boost adds the next layer to John Deere’s precision technology strategy to enhance connectivity on the farm to increase productivity and efficiency for farmers. Visit deere.com or a local John Deere dealer for information on JDLink Boost and the entire line of John Deere precision ag technologies.
[学术文献 ] 农业领域多模态融合技术方法与应用研究进展 进入全文
农业机械学报
多模态融合技术通过结合多源数据,可以克服单一模态的局限性。近年来,传感器以及遥感技术的发展为作物监测提供了更加丰富的数据源,光谱数据、图像数据、雷达数据以及热红外数据被广泛应用于作物监测中。通过利用计算机视觉技术以及数据分析方法,可以从中获取作物的表型参数、理化特征等信息,从而有助于评估作物的生长状况、指导农业生产管理。现有研究多数是基于单一模态数据展开,而单一模态的数据仅有一种类型的输入,缺乏对整体信息的理解,且容易受到单模态噪声的影响;部分研究虽然采用了多模态融合技术,但仍未能充分考虑模态间的复杂交互关系。为了深入分析多模态融合技术在农业领域应用的潜力,本文首先阐述了农业领域中多模态融合的先进技术与方法,重点梳理了多模态融合技术在作物识别、性状分析、产量预测、胁迫分析及病虫害诊断领域中的应用研究成果,分析了多模态融合技术在农业领域中存在的数据利用程度低、有效特征提取难、融合方式单一等问题,并对未来发展提出展望,以期通过多模态融合的方法推动农业精准管理、提高生产效率。
[学术文献 ] 双目立体视觉技术及其在智慧农业中的应用研究进展 进入全文
农业工程学报;
双目立体视觉技术作为一种获取现实世界立体感知的重要方法,可以实现农业场景目标的三维定位和点云重建,提取立体三维信息,具有很大的应用潜力。该文介绍了双目立体视觉技术的应用流程,包括双目视觉标定、极线校正、立体匹配等方面,以及相关研究进展;综合近期文献,探讨了双目立体视觉技术在果实定位采摘与地图导航、生长参数测量和病害识别与施药等农业领域最新的应用。综述结果表明,双目立体视觉技术在农业中定位、测量和识别均具有较高精度,但仍面临模型复杂、场景受限、数据集少和立体匹配缺少评价标准等问题。展望该技术在农业领域的未来发展,应着重从算法设计与优化、智能辅助平台搭建、数据集构建和评价体系完善等方面开展研究探索。