“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

— Carl Sagan

📌 New in AgTech

AI vs Farmers: Two Visions of Agriculture's Future

The fields of tomorrow are caught in a fascinating tug-of-war between silicon and soil. There are two overlapping strokes: one painted by algorithms, sensors, and satellites, and the other by weathered hands, seasonal instincts, and generational knowledge. Neither side is monolithic. “AI” evokes crop models, drones, and predictive analytics; “farmers” evokes place-based knowledge, judgement calls and risk-managed improvisation. How these points of view interact, work together, and make food systems more stable is what I aim to align us to.

AI’s Vision for Farming

People who believe in artificial intelligence envision the future of farming through the prism of data-driven optimisation. AI in farming is expected to expand from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $4.7 billion by 2028. Digital farming could add more than $450 billion, or 28% per year, to the agricultural GDP of low- and middle-income nations. Their vision is exciting: smart sensors keeping an eye on every square inch of farmland, drones spraying pesticides exactly where they need to be, and machine learning algorithms predicting crop yields with amazing accuracy.

Using AI in farming gives farmers real-time information about their crops, which helps them figure out which regions need watering, fertilising, or pest control. This technology-first strategy says it can solve the biggest problems in agriculture only by using a lot of computing power. People who support AI say that traditional farming practices can't keep up with climate change and the growing need for food around the world. They think that AI systems that use image recognition and hyperspectral images can help find pests before they cause problems and make the best use of pesticides.

The AI camp believes that emotions and hunches have no place in modern agriculture—only data, algorithms, and measurable outcomes matter. Decisions are based on statistical models instead of gut feelings on their futuristic farms, which make them appear more like high-tech labs than pastoral landscapes.

The Human Touch: Farmers' Defense of Traditional Wisdom

Yet seasoned farmers push back against this purely technological vision with a wealth of experiential knowledge that can't be easily quantified. They argue that farming is an art as much as a science, requiring an understanding of subtle environmental cues that no sensor can fully capture. The smell of soil, the behaviour of livestock, the feel of grain between weathered fingers. These represent centuries of accumulated wisdom that algorithms struggle to replicate.

Traditional farmers are worried that relying too much on AI could cause the loss of cultural heritage by destroying the farming knowledge and practices that have been passed down through the centuries. They've seen technology promises that didn't come true before, and they still don't believe in solutions that turn farming into just numbers and probability calculations. These experienced farmers stress the importance of being flexible and making decisions based on the situation. They can adapt their plans based on little changes in the weather or change their methods based on the special features of their land. These are talents that come from years of knowing their farms inside and out, not from using algorithms.

Farmers also talk about the economic reality: many farms can't afford the big upfront costs that AI systems need. They would rather use tried-and-true, cost-effective ways that have kept farming families going for generations than take chances on expensive new technologies.

The Synthesis: A Future Built on Partnership

Both camps want resilient, productive farms. Where they diverge is process and priority. AI emphasizes scale, measurable efficiency and forward-looking risk reduction; farmers emphasize context, stewardship and livelihoods. The best way to move forward isn't to choose between AI and conventional farming knowledge; it's to combine the best parts of both. AI may provide a lot of value to farming in two main areas: 1) on the acre, which means growing crops and raising animals, and 2) for the business, which means running the business. But this technical capability works best when it enhances human knowledge instead of replacing it.

The evidence indicates that effective agricultural transformation necessitates the perception of AI as an advanced instrument that augments farmer decision-making rather than replacing it. Farmers may use an AI-powered knowledge graph to learn how problems in the supply chain affect their inputs. They can make better plans and get the inputs from the finest places. This method recognises the irreplaceable value of agricultural experience and leverages technology's analytical capabilities.

The future of farming lies not in an either-or proposition but in creating intelligent partnerships between human wisdom and artificial intelligence. The most successful farms will likely be those where experienced farmers use AI as a sophisticated advisor, combining generational knowledge with data-driven insights to make more informed decisions than either approach could achieve alone.

A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman named Sarah. The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip that would last a week. Before he left, he gave Sarah seven apples. Why?

The Nxtfood Phenomenon: Europe's AgTech Plant-Based Contrarian Story

Most AgTech investors are still upset with the plant-based meat industry's stunning collapse, which saw valuations drop by 64% in 2024 alone. But a little French startup called NXTFOOD has been quietly changing the rules. Their recent €49 million ($58 million) funding round is not only the largest plant-based investment in Europe since 2022, but it is also an example of how to invest against the grain that every AgTech expert should learn from.

Intriguingly, Nxtfood has chosen to ignore the plant-based orthodoxy that wiped out a lot of money in Silicon Valley, which is a major factor in their financial success. ‘Plant-based orthodoxy‘ is basically the common understanding and go-to strategy that ruled the alternative protein scene, especially in the US, from around 2016 to 2022. The big mistake was thinking that people wanted to completely change how they eat, instead of just wanting improved versions of the foods they already enjoy. Nxtfood's Accro brand went in a totally different direction: they created plant-based products that French grandmothers would totally recognise.

Their product lineup reads like a traditional French butcher shop reimagined—chicken fillets, pork sausages, beef mince, even mini nems (spring rolls). But here's the kicker: they source everything locally from French wheat and pea proteins, turning regional agriculture into their competitive moat. This goes beyond just smart branding. It’s a clever supply chain strategy that cuts costs and makes the most of France's €11.7 million National Strategy for Plant Proteins.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Nxtfood's metrics are really impressive from a VC's point of view. They've managed to triple their revenue in 2024, even as many plant-based companies were struggling financially. They say they're the fastest-growing plant-based meat startup in France, with their products available in every major supermarket and more than 10,000 foodservice outlets. What's really interesting is that they're aiming for profitability in just 12-18 months—a goal that would definitely make a lot of plant-based CEOs pretty envious.
This funding round really has an interesting story to tell. Clay Capital is diving into their first plant-based investment, highlighting "operational excellence at scale" and "a clear path to profitability". These phrases have been noticeably missing from many alternative protein pitches over the last five years. When experienced investors who have steered clear of a whole sector suddenly start investing, it definitely catches the eye of those in the know.

The European Advantage

What Nxtfood understands is that European consumers approach food differently. About 35% of people in France see legumes as some of the best sources of protein. They're not after trendy bleeding burgers; they just want their favourite foods to be even better. Nxtfood's B-Corp certification and its focus on local sourcing really resonate with European values about sustainability and supporting regional agriculture.

Their approach to expansion really shows off their understanding of different cultures. Instead of going for a worldwide takeover, they're carefully focusing on Germany, Italy, and Benelux—places where their local sourcing approach and well-known product formats will really connect. They're ramping up production capacity to 12,000 square meters and putting a lot of resources into wet extrusion research and development. This shows they're focused on sustainable growth instead of just putting on a show for investors.

The Contrarian Hypothesis

For AgTech investors, Nxtfood is a unique example of a category-defining business coming out of an industry that others have written off. In the first half of 2025, funding for alternative protein dropped to just $180 million worldwide, but Nxtfood was able to get about a third of that sum. This is what occurs when entrepreneurs concentrate on consumer behaviour and unit economics instead of venture capital narratives; it is not chance.

There is no better time than now. While sales of plant-based meat increased by 15.5% last year alone, French meat consumption has decreased by 6% over the past 20 years. Consumers are using their money to vote, despite the fact that European regulators are battling over labelling regulations. Without the unsustainable capital burn that ruined its American competitors, Nxtfood is well-positioned to benefit from this fundamental change.

The Investment Lesson

AgTech investors can learn a harsh lesson from Nxtfood's success: sometimes the most promising prospects come from the ruins of overhyped industries. A small French company was creating a profitable, scalable business by having a deeper grasp of its supply chain and customers than anybody else. Nxtfood demonstrates that local innovation frequently outperforms imports from Silicon Valley for European AgTech. According to their story, the next generation of agricultural technology winners may come from a facility in Vitry-en-Artois, transforming local wheat into global opportunity.

📢 Digital Pasture

🌍 Fields & Frontiers

Ireland’s Bold Proposal: An exciting development for Europe’s agricultural future is gaining momentum in Ireland. To help younger farmers get their farms off the ground, a new proposal is that they get an establishment payment of €25,000 and an exit payment of €25,000 when they pass their farms on to their successors. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming has proposed this approach to help the farming community shift from one generation to the next more smoothly. If passed, it will reinstate installation help, a crucial program that was cut after the economic crisis of 2008. Amid limited CAP funds, doubts concerning funding sources arise since the implementation of this ambitious succession plan might cost about €1 billion over five years. An expansion of inheritance relief to grandchildren is also part of the proposal, which might lead to a broader definition of agricultural succession. An example could be set by Ireland's daring action as Europe struggles to maintain its agri-ecosystem. Experts in agricultural technology should pay close attention to how this could change the face of agricultural support and succession on the continent. Find out more by reading on farmers journal.ie.

Europe's Airport Wake-Up Call: A cyberattack on Friday night September 19 against Collins Aerospace's check-in systems has paralysed Brussels Airport alongside Heathrow and Berlin. Brussels cancelled half of Sunday's flights while 25 outbound flights were scrapped on Saturday and 50 on Sunday. The ripple effects extend beyond passenger inconvenience. Disrupted air connectivity could squeeze cold chain logistics, push up costs, and force growers and distributors to scramble for alternative transport solutions. Fresh produce exports to Italy, pharmaceutical shipments, and time-sensitive agricultural inputs face delays that cascade through supply networks. Aviation's heavy reliance on shared digital systems creates attractive targets where "one vendor compromise causes immediate, far-reaching disruption across borders. Here is more on this tragic incidence.

PATS Raises €2.7M to Revolutionize Pest Control in Agriculture: PATS, a Dutch agri-tech startup that originated from Delft University, has just wrapped up a €2.7 million Seed round to expand its AI-driven pest monitoring and control technologies. Growers of vegetables, flowers, and plants around the world are really feeling the heat from pests, rising costs, labour shortages, and tougher sustainability regulations. That’s why PATS’ solutions are arriving just when they’re needed most. They've got some pretty cool tools, like tracking flying pests in real-time, monitoring sticky traps, using early-warning prediction models, and even employing nature-inspired tech, such as bat-like drones, to tackle those tough infestations. This investment is set to boost the development of their AI systems, enhance biological control strategies, and expand their reach across different regions and crop types. PATS is not only helping farmers respond more quickly; it’s also providing them with smarter, more sustainable choices that cut down on chemical use while still maintaining yield and quality. If you’re keeping an eye on the latest innovations where agriculture meets climate tech, or if you’re on the hunt for scalable solutions in crop protection, you definitely don’t want to miss this one. Let’s explore what this means for growers, investors, and the movement towards sustainable food systems. Find out more on Silicon Canals.

Transparency in Bitcoin Technology: Blockchain technology provides a secure, immutable ledger that enhances transparency in agricultural supply chains. It enables real-time tracking of product origin, quality, and transactions, increasing consumer trust and compliance with sustainability standards. By reducing inefficiencies and eliminating intermediaries, blockchain also cuts costs and environmental impact. European AgTech companies stand to benefit by showcasing sustainable practices and meeting stricter regulatory demands. To explore these sustainability gains, see this overview.

Is Your Fundraising Strategy Ready For Scale? Building sustainable operations is just one piece of the puzzle. The real challenge lies in securing the capital needed to scale your agtech innovation. While you're perfecting carbon-neutral logistics and smart distribution, investors are drowning in deal flow and entrepreneurs are burning social capital on "slow maybes." The sector is small, everyone talks, and trust is currency in agtech. Your breakthrough technology means nothing if you can't navigate the broken etiquette plaguing founder-funder relationships. Are you prepared for the honest truth about what it really takes? Read the full story on AgFunder News.

EU Rules vs. Apple’s Ecosystem: Apple's marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, says that "bureaucrats in Brussels" seek to "take the magic away" from Apple's tightly interwoven environment. This is the biggest attack the company has ever made against EU authorities. The most recent flashpoint? Apple can't deploy AirPods Live Translation in Europe because the Digital Markets Act says they need to do more work to make it operate with non-Apple devices. Joswiak said that EU officials were "undermining innovation," "infringing intellectual property," and "damaging privacy and security" by making interoperability rules. The tech giant says that letting third-party devices into its ecosystem makes it less secure and makes the user experience worse, which is what makes Apple products so special. Tech radar has the details.

Markets in Minutes: Top Third Ag Marketing highlights a week of mixed signals in grain and livestock markets in America. Strong yields and steady harvest progress are still putting pressure on maize and soybeans, and wheat is facing competition from other countries' supplies. Export demand is still a big factor in the market. Buyers are being careful and keeping an eye on both U.S. prices and harvests around the world. On the livestock side, cattle markets are having a hard time because there are fewer of them and consumers aren't buying as much. Hogs, on the other hand, are still unstable because export interest and domestic production trends are changing. Farmers should expect more ups and downs and stick to their marketing plans. Top Third advises that selling into strength and protecting downside risk is the smart thing to do while the markets figure out how the harvest is going and how global supply is changing. To find out more on this week’s markets, visit AgDaily.