AgBioScout

AgBioScout would like to congratulate the Natural Ventures team on achieving this important milestone and as a key partner working with our friends and partners at Natural Ventures toward its continued growth and success. Natural Ventures an impact fund focused on global food & water security and who work closely in partnership with AgBioScout to technically and commercially qualify potential investment opportunities have recently achieved its first milestone close on the way to its inaugural fund target of $100 million.  Ventures team consists of highly experienced investors, with expertise spanning #Ag #Food and #Water Technology. https://lnkd.in/dDUtZERH  

AgBioScout would like to congratulate the Natural Ventures team on achieving this important milestone and as a key partner working with our friends and partners at Natural Ventures toward its continued growth and success. Natural Ventures an impact fund focused on global food & water security and who work closely in partnership with AgBioScout to technically and commercially qualify potential investment opportunities have recently achieved its first milestone close on the way to its inaugural fund target of $100 million.  Ventures team consists of highly experienced investors, with expertise spanning #Ag #Food and #Water Technology. https://lnkd.in/dDUtZERH  

The $551.1B fruit growing industry faces yield loses of up to 40% of fruit crops to diseases each year. However, recent biocontrol advancements offer promising solutions: 🔬 Gene Editing This year, a TR4-resistant Cavendish banana was approved for cultivation in Australia. Costa Rica is also developing genome-edited bananas resistant to Black Sigatoka and Fusarium wilt. 🧬 RNA Interference (RNAi) RNAi uses double-stranded RNA to silence pathogen genes, preventing disease. While promising, more field trials are needed to evaluate its cost-effectiveness. 🌿 Nanoparticle-Enhanced Biopesticides Nanoparticles improve biopesticides' efficiency and targeting. Green synthesis methods are emerging as non-toxic and cost-effective. Examples include silver and copper nanoparticles against citrus canker and chitosan nanoparticles enhancing antifungal activity in strawberries. 🦠 Phage Therapy Bacteriophages, viruses that kill bacteria, are effective against bacterial fruit diseases. Phage cocktails have shown success in controlling fire blight in apples and pears. Innovations in gene editing, RNAi, nanoparticle biopesticides, and phage therapy are paving the way for sustainable and effective fruit disease management, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting environmental sustainability. 🌍🍓🍌🍊 https://lnkd.in/dSAeTgqF #Agriculture #Biocontrol #FruitDiseaseManagement #Sustainability #Innovation #AgTech #FoodSecurity

Desertification, caused by human activities and climate variations, severely reduces land productivity. Combined with drought, it devastates crop yields, reduces soil fertility, and threatens water supplies, impacting our ability to feed a growing population. Over 40% of the world's land is already degraded, with regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa facing heightened hunger, poverty, and migration challenges. Innovating for Resilience 🔹 Sustainable Land Management: Initiatives like the "Rehabilitation of Forest Landscapes and Degraded Land" project in Iran, supported by FAO and GEF, are restoring degraded lands through tree planting and vegetation cover restoration. 🔹 Advanced Biotech Solutions: Using techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, researchers are developing drought-resistant crops. Recent studies have shown promise in tomatoes and other staple crops, paving the way for resilient agriculture. 🔹 Water Conservation Technologies: Innovations in water management, such as Spain's IoT-enabled intelligent irrigation systems, help conserve water and optimize usage based on real-time crop needs. 🔹 Policy Advocacy and Governance: Governments play a crucial role by supporting policies and international agreements like the UNCCD, driving coordinated action and resource allocation. #DesertificationAndDroughtDay #SustainableLandManagement #AgriculturalInnovation #ClimateAction #ResilientAgriculture 

Did you know that the humble potato has journeyed from the Andes Mountains to every corner of the globe? Introduced to Europe in the 16th century, potatoes reduced reliance on cereal crops and have since become a staple food, due to their high yield and minimal processing needs. Today, there is a global imperative to reevaluate our food systems. Innovations in cropping systems and the development of new potato varieties are essential for integrating potatoes into more diverse and resilient agricultural frameworks. Given their broad availability, high yield potential, and culinary versatility, potatoes are well-positioned to contribute to the creation of environmentally sustainable and economically viable production systems. Recent Developments in Potato Research: New Varieties A new Potato Pest - Schrankia costaestrigalis Innovations in Colorado potato beetle control As we celebrate World Potato Day, let's recognize the vital role of potatoes in global food security and the ongoing innovations to ensure their sustainable production. 🌱🥔 For more details, check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/etKUKztq #WorldPotatoDay #AgricultureInnovation #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #PotatoResearch

Bees are way more diverse than you might have thought! With approximately 21,000 species buzzing around our planet, and new species being discovered all the time there's always something new. 🌍 But it's not just about honey anymore...  🤖 AI is stepping in to help bees combat threats like parasites and pathogens, ensuring their colonies thrive.    Bees are no longer just utilised as pollinators; they're also spreading biocontrol agents to crops, making agriculture more sustainable. 🌱    Nature and technology working hand in hand for a greener future! 🌺🐝  https://lnkd.in/dqig7Tct #SaveTheBees #Worldbeeday #Agritech 

Bananas are facing up to 100% yield loss from Fusarium TR4, which has been a key focus for the plant health industry this year. Today marks the third International Day of Plant Health (IDPH), a crucial initiative by the United Nations to underscore the importance of safeguarding plant health for global food security, poverty reduction, environmental preservation, and economic prosperity. Here are some highlights from recent developments in the plant health field: 🌍 EU Plant Health Emergency Team: Established to revise laws and prevent pathogen emergence, bolstering efforts to protect plant health across Europe. 📜 CPM-18 Updates: Modifications to international standards for phytosanitary measures and endorsement of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme empower nations in managing plant pests effectively. 🍌 Fusarium TR4 Collaboration: Global cooperation addresses the destructive Fusarium TR4 fungus, emphasizing early warning systems and containment strategies vital for banana production. 🍌 World Banana Forum (WBF): Emphasizes cooperation and variety diversification to secure the future of banana trade, with initiatives like the Banana Diversity Tasting Event raising awareness. 🧬 Genetically Modified Bananas Approval: Approval of GM bananas in Australia and New Zealand offers hope for combatting TR4 and sustaining the banana industry. 🌱 BanacXin Biofungicide: The launch of BanacXin, a biofungicide offering control against TR4 and sigatoka, presents a promising solution for farmers worldwide. These advancements underscore the importance of prioritizing plant health, fostering international collaboration, and investing in research for a food-secure future. #PlantHealth #GlobalDevelopment #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #Innovation

Malaria, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, remains a major global health concern. But the fight against it is evolving with ground-breaking innovations in vector control! Drone Technology: Drones are revolutionizing mosquito control, from identifying breeding sites to aerially spraying bioinsecticides. Successful trials in Kenya, Tanzania, and more show promising results. Gene Drive Technology: Genetic modification of mosquitoes aims to suppress populations or introduce desirable traits. Trials demonstrate potential, but challenges remain in scalability and distribution. Biocontrol Methods: From gene-silencing yeast to attractive toxic sugar baits, a range of biocontrol solutions are in development. These target mosquitoes while minimizing harm to other organisms. Plus, a myriad of other innovations are underway in the battle against malaria, science is leading the charge with diverse approaches to curb transmission. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dZt7jvcj  #EndMalaria #VectorControl #Innovation #WorldMalariaDay

Did you know that beneath the lush green fields of our farms lies a hidden menace? Microplastics, those tiny fragments of plastic less than 5mm in size, are infiltrating our soils. Found in in fertilizers, irrigation tubes, and even pesticides, these minuscule particles are infiltrating the foundation of our food production system. Once in the soil, microplastics can wreak havoc by alter the physiochemical properties of the soil, affecting nutrient availability and water retention. New microplastic free solutions are being developed and used by the Agtech industry to combat this growing problem. Reach out to see how AgBioScout can help you lower your reliance on plastic. https://lnkd.in/gFEsqMsV #EarthDay #EarthDay2024

Today is #WorldWaterDay, it takes about 3,000 litres of water to produce the daily food needs of a person. Around 43% of the world's groundwater is used for agricultural irrigation. The future of food and the security of water requires much-needed innovation at the farm level. AgBioScout is committed to identifying and accelerating these new technologies.