Home industry agro-tech Fresh Del Monte Ventures into Biofertilizer Market; FarmRaise and FMC Unveil Agtech Innovations
Agro Tech
CIO Bulletin
2024-05-23
Agricultural Giants Lead the Way in Sustainable Solutions and AI Integration.
Fresh Del Monte, renowned for its produce, is embarking on an innovative venture to explore the potential of pineapple waste in producing biofertilizers. Collaborating with Spain-based Vellsam Materias Bioactivas, the company aims to repurpose residues from its pineapple farms in Kenya to create sustainable fertilizers for agricultural use in East Africa. Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s chairman and CEO, sees this as a significant step towards revolutionizing agricultural practices and fostering a circular economy.
Simultaneously, agtech startup FarmRaise has introduced a groundbreaking platform designed to facilitate the management of farm sustainability programs for companies and institutions. This technology streamlines farmer enrollment in sustainability initiatives, as evidenced by its successful implementation at Blue Diamond Growers and the University of Missouri. Dr. Rob Myers, director of the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, lauds FarmRaise for simplifying the enrollment process, thereby enabling farmers to access crucial support for transitioning to sustainable production methods.
In a parallel development, agricultural sciences firm FMC has entered into a collaboration with software developer Optibrium to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating the discovery of new crop protection products. Leveraging Optibrium’s Cerella and StarDrop technologies, FMC aims to revolutionize molecular discovery and expedite internal research and development efforts.
Furthermore, seed innovator Benson Hill has appointed fintech executive Dan Cosgrove as its chief administrative officer and general counsel. As Benson Hill transitions to an "asset-light" model, Cosgrove's expertise in business development, compliance, and legal matters will be instrumental. His appointment reflects Benson Hill's strategic focus on expanding its seed portfolio and forging partnerships to accelerate the commercialization of innovative soybean varieties.
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