Latest news with #Agritech
Entrepreneur
28-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
GROWiT Raises USD 3 Mn to Power the Future of Protective Farming
The Series A funding round was led by GVFL, with participation from Veloce Opportunities Fund, JITO, We Founder Circle, Sunicon Ventures Fund, Progrowth Ventures, and Hyderabad Angels. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Agritech startup GROWiT India Pvt Ltd has successfully raised USD 3 million in a Series A funding round led by GVFL, with participation from Veloce Opportunities Fund, JITO, We Founder Circle, Sunicon Ventures Fund, Progrowth Ventures, and Hyderabad Angels. The capital infusion will be strategically deployed to support GROWiT's aggressive expansion, bolster R&D efforts, and enhance its technology infrastructure. This will enable the company to serve farmers better while also expanding its footprint in India and emerging markets like Africa. "They are making climate-friendly, sustainable farming methods more affordable and effective," said Mihir Joshi, Managing Director, GVFL. "We see GROWiT as a strong player emerging in this segment." GROWiT was founded in 2020 by Akshay Agarwal and Saurabh Agarwal, with a mission to revolutionise farming through sustainable, accessible technologies. Surat-based startup is a pioneer in protective farming, delivering soil-to-harvest agritech solutions. Its products and services include: Mulch Films, Crop Covers, Weed Mats – to protect crops and improve yields – to protect crops and improve yields Pocket-Friendly Soil Testing Device – launched in April 2025, offering soil composition insights and crop recommendations – launched in April 2025, offering soil composition insights and crop recommendations A vast on-ground franchise network of 650+ outlets A reach of over 2,25,000 farmers across 12 states Saurabh Agarwal, Founder and CEO, said, "With climate change emerging as a huge challenge, our goal is to make technology accessible and affordable. Our tools are designed to optimize productivity, cut input costs, and drive sustainable farming practices." The startup claims to have witnessed a CAGR of 50–60% over the last three years and continues to see yield improvements of 40–100% in areas where its solutions have been adopted. Its blend of field engagement and research-driven innovation has set a new standard in operational excellence. Looking ahead, GROWiT aims to double India's farm output by 2030, positioning itself as a one-stop, climate-resilient solution hub for farmers.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Technology in the Agriculture sector in Africa is critical: DHL Express and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) release study on the future of African Agritech
Technological Advancement as a Catalyst: The impact of technology, especially AI and digital platforms, is shaping the future of agriculture on the continent. Emerging Business Models: The paper discusses the need for innovative models and management strategies in the industry. Case Studies of Success: The report features inspiring case studies from various African nations, showcasing innovative Agritech solutions DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) ( in collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Centre for African Management and Markets (CAMM), has unveiled a white paper that highlights the trends shaping the agricultural landscape in Africa. This research emphasises the critical role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing poverty across the continent. The African Agritech: The State of Play and Potential for Prosperity report reveals that improvements in agricultural productivity have a disproportionately positive effect on poverty alleviation in developing nations. A 1% increase in agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) correlates with a 1% decline in the population living in extreme poverty, highlighting agriculture's potential as a powerful tool for economic development. As Africa's population continues to grow, the agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, facing both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. The industry is vital for sustainable development and economic growth in Africa. Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of the continent's economy, accounting for approximately 15% of output, which is significantly higher than the global average of 5% [1]. For Africa to thrive, its agricultural sector must be optimally used to drive growth, especially given the rapid population increase projected for the region. The paper highlights the need for the industry to consider innovative models and management strategies. Innovation and technology are crucial for enhancing agricultural output and efficiency, which can lead to improved economic conditions across the continent. 'This paper highlights our commitment to supporting sustainable growth and innovation in the agricultural sector, particularly on the African continent. DHL's purpose revolves around connecting people and improving lives – as the world's largest logistics company, it is our responsibility to lead the way and guide the logistics industry into a sustainable future and ultimately ensure that we make a positive difference in the communities in which we operate. Through this paper, we hope to provide a glimpse of what lies ahead for the industry and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable economic growth,' said Hennie Heymans, DHL Express SSA CEO. 'We knew agritech was a powerful driver of prosperity, but we were impressed with what we unearthed during the research. Tech is being used in amazing ways to improve everything from soil management and crop spraying to transportation and fire detection,' said Ian Macleod, a member of the CAMM research team. DHL Agri-Express – a solution for Agri SMEs in SSA DHL Express SSA recently launched a new DHL Agri-Express solution, a time-definite express packaging solution developed to support Agricultural SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa with the shipping of avocados. This innovative and sustainable solution eliminates the need for active cold chain shipping by employing cutting-edge alternative technology. Specifically designed for small sample shipments of 6 to 50 avocados, this packaging solution enables customers to leverage the DHL Express network to send samples to buyers in international markets with ease and speed. The research paper can be downloaded here ( [1] Suri, T.,&Udry, C. (2022). Agricultural technology in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36(1), 33-56. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Express. Contact: DHL Express SSA Media Relations Lerato Moeletsi-Banda ++27 71 352 3300 Follow us at: DHL Africa ( About DHL Group: DHL Group is the world's leading logistic company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees, investors and green logistics worldwide. To this end, DHL Group is focusing on accelerating sustainable growth in its profitable core logistics businesses and Group growth initiatives. The Group contributes to the world through sustainable business practices, corporate citizenship, and environmental activities. By the year 2050, DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics. DHL Group is home to two strong brands: DHL offers a comprehensive range of parcel, express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post is the largest postal service provider in Europe and the market leader in the German mail market. DHL Group employs approximately 602,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion Euros in 2024. The logistics company for the world.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak witness signing of Silal and China's SVG
Abu Dhabi: His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, witnessed the signing of a strategic partnership between Silal, Abu Dhabi's leading agri-food and technology company, and Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group (SVG), a prominent Chinese company specializing in vegetable seed breeding and counter-seasonal production. The partnership enables SVG to invest over AED 120 million into developing a 100,000㎡ Agritech powerhouse in Al Ain, marking a major milestone for the UAE and regional agriculture sectors. The facility will harness advanced technologies, including AI and robotics to drive precision, boost efficiency, and deliver sustainable, high-impact innovations across the agricultural value chain. The Agritech powerhouse will showcase SVG's advanced "Shouguang Model" of greenhouse technology, which will be adapted and optimized for the unique climate conditions of the UAE. It will feature a range of advanced greenhouse structures, such as intelligent photovoltaic glass greenhouses, thin film-connected greenhouses, and large-span solar greenhouses. The project encompasses a comprehensive ecosystem that includes seedling cultivation as well as post-harvest processing, storage and distribution centers. The entire smart greenhouse system will be powered by solar energy, minimizing the facility's carbon footprint and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices. Salmeen Alameri, CEO of Silal said, "Our partnership with Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group aims to revolutionize the UAE's Agritech sector. By combining SVG's world-leading expertise in greenhouse technology with Silal's commitment to innovation and sustainability, we are creating a cutting-edge model for innovative agriculture that can be replicated across the region and beyond. Mr. Ming Yang, Founder of Shouguang Vegetable Industry Group, said:"Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking approach and its willingness to embrace new technologies make it a vital hub for Agritech innovation. In addition, the region's unique climate conditions make it a crucial testing ground for new technologies and solutions. Therefore, our partnership with Silal provides an unparalleled opportunity to refine our advanced technologies." The facility will integrate AI and robotics to optimize every stage of cultivation, enabling precision planting, accelerated harvesting, and greater operational efficiency. Integrated technologies include intelligent climate control, automated irrigation, robotic harvesting, and advanced AI-driven research and development. Over a dozen crop varieties – including tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and strawberries—will be cultivated with enhanced traits for superior taste, resilience, and productivity. Smart resource management will reduce water and fertilizer usage by up to 30%, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. The project will be supported by AI labs, technology testing zones, and a sensory experience center, alongside advanced water treatment systems, modular purification units, mushroom production areas, energy storage solutions, and dedicated employee accommodations. Complementing production, a fully equipped post-harvest complex will include cold storage, automated sorting lines, and export-ready logistics to maintain product integrity and ensure seamless distribution to domestic and international markets. About Silal Silal is part of ADQ, one of the region's largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi's diversified economy. Silal was established in September 2020 to diversify sources of food products and stimulate manufactured and agri-food sectors. Silal's mandates include managing procurement programs and strategic stocks of foodstuffs. The company also executes specialised knowledge transfer programs on desert farming techniques and devises research and development projects. For more information, please visit:
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Heat Tolerance: Breeding dairy cattle for heat tolerance
A tool helping farmers determine which of their cows are best at tolerating the heat and best to breed from.
Business Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Irish-founded start-up secures $4.7m to tackle food contamination with AI-powered imaging
Agritech Founded by Barry McDonogh in 2018, the Emeryville, California-based company is focused on hyperspectral imaging solutions
