Author: Hithaishi CB

The launch of Shennong Large Model 3.0 signals the arrival of a new phase in agricultural AI China Agricultural University (CAU) launched Shennong Large Model 3.0 on at the 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI 2025) in Beijing, signaling a major step toward making AI more accessible and practical for use in agriculture. According to Wang Yaojun, lead researcher at CAU, a key achievement is that this new model not only reduces computational demands substantially but also boosts performance by 5 % compared to the original version. He added that the model’s architecture had been comprehensively redesigned to strike an…

The investment will focus on modernizing and expanding ICS’s production facilities Singapore-based Indorama Group, through its Senegalese subsidiary Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Senegal’s Investment and Major Projects Promotion Agency (APIX) to launch a major $210 million investment program. Announced during the Senegal Investment Forum, the plan will be implemented between 2025 and 2028. The initiative aims to boost Senegal’s phosphate and fertilizer production capacity, reinforcing the country’s strategic role in the regional agricultural input market. The investment will focus on modernizing and expanding ICS’s production facilities. At the Mbao fertilizer plant, the…

KPKM reinforces goals of the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 The allocation of RM6.87 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to ensure the adequacy and security of the country’s food supply as well as to increase the productivity of the agro-food sector for the well-being of the people. Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the seven per cent increase compared to RM6.42 billion in 2025, will continue to strengthen the country’s food security in line with the goals of the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0). “KPKM will continue to drive…

An autonomous system that uses satellite, drone, sprayer, and field sensor data to help farmers spot issues early and treat crops with precision CultiWise ScoutAI, an autonomous multi-sensor crop monitoring system, has been selected as finalist for the DLG Agrifuture Concept Winner Award. Developed by Czech startup Skymaps, the AI-based system automatically integrates satellite, drone, sprayer and field data— giving farmers earlier warnings of crop issues while simplifying workflows and reducing unnecessary inputs. By integrating what were previously standalone sensor tools, ScoutAI is automating not only crop surveillance but also key field decisions. Traditional field scouting methods rely on manual…

New variety of gene-edited eucalyptus produces wood that is easier to process industrially, reducing chemical and energy input requirements for pulp production FuturaGene, the biotechnology subsidiary of the world’s largest pulp supplier, Suzano, has formally submitted its first consultation letter to Brazil’s National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) regarding gene-edited eucalyptus. This marks the world’s first regulatory submission for gene-edited eucalyptus, made in accordance with CTNBio’s Normative Resolution No. 16 (RN 16), which contains provisions for regulatory exemption for certain types of gene editing. This includes circumstances where gene-edited crops do not contain foreign DNA, where they can be exempted from…

NTU Singapore and SMART scientists develop new antimicrobial compounds A team of international researchers in Singapore has developed a groundbreaking alternative to antibiotics, offering a novel approach to preventing bacterial infections. In a preliminary farm trial, these innovative antimicrobial compounds were applied to cow teats, successfully preventing udder infections after exposure to bacteria. The study, conducted by researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), in collaboration with the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Interdisciplinary Research Group at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), highlights a promising step forward in combating antimicrobial resistance. When cattle udders get infected, the antibiotics…

A 2.75ha site will be established in the Jandakot industrial precinct for plant pathology, crop genetics, molecular biology, virology, and agronomy research Western Australia will establish a new Primary Industries Research Centre at Jandakot to help future-proof Western Australia’s valuable agriculture and food sector. More than $55 million will be invested to develop the 2.75ha site in the Jandakot industrial precinct to house the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s research and development functions. When completed, it will incorporate technical facilities, storage and office space for about 100 research and scientific staff. The center will support R&D and…

Breakthrough collaboration targets improved pasture performance, resilience, and climate-smart benefits BioLumic, a pioneer in seed trait innovation, has entered a multi-year partnership with global dairy co-op Fonterra to develop a new category of seed traits for pasture-based dairy systems — traits that program the plant’s genetic expression rather than alter its genetics. The partnership will deliver light-activated traits designed to improve the productivity and resilience of ryegrass, starting in New Zealand. “This partnership signals a new era for forage innovation to supercharge pasture-based dairy systems,” said Jeremy Hill, Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra. “Together, BioLumic and Fonterra are aiming…

Collaboration underscores Malaysia’s goal to stabilize food security, sustainable agriculture technology and ASEAN market expansion Agroz Inc., a Malaysia-based innovative, fully vertically integrated agricultural technology (AgTech) company, announced a strategic collaboration with U.S.-based Harvest Today, LLC, developer of the patented Harvest Wall™ growing system, to launch the Agroz Groz Wall. The collaboration was unveiled at the Future Food-AgTech Festival (FFF2025) witnessed by Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Secretary General at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, where Agroz is showcasing Agroz Tech and the Agroz Groz Wall, from 8 October to 12 October 2025. Under Agroz and Harvest Today’s collaboration, Agroz…

Boost Food Security and Growth Tanmiah Food Company (Tanmiah), a leading vertically integrated poultry and food producer in Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated two new facilities in the central region of the Kingdom. The launch, held under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, includes a state-of-the-art poultry processing plant in Al Majmaa (Majmaa 2) and a cutting-edge feed mill in Dahna. These additions strengthen Tanmiah’s extensive network of hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants, underscoring the company’s dedication to advancing food security, operational efficiency, and community development. The new facilities represent a…