Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
The new model tackles the complex challenge of designing novel small molecules that satisfy multiple product criteria—an essential capability for applications in both pharmaceuticals and agriculture Evogene Ltd , a leading computational biology company, announced the completion of version 1.0 of its generative AI foundation model for small molecule design, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud. This first-in-class model powers ChemPass AI, Evogene’s platform for small molecule discovery and optimization, and represents a major leap forward in life-science R&D. The model addresses a critical bottleneck in both pharmaceutical and agricultural product development: the ability to design novel small molecules that…
The agricultural drone sector in Brazil, primarily used for aerial spraying, saw a major breakthrough in 2021 following the publication of Ordinance No. 298 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), which officially regulated their use. That year, sales were estimated at 3,000 units. Fast forward to today, and the number has soared to an estimated 35,000 drones in operation—a clear sign of how regulatory clarity can unlock rapid technological adoption in agriculture Brazil’s agricultural drone market is experiencing rapid expansion, driven in large part by regulatory clarity introduced through MAPA’s Ordinance No. 298 in 2021, which legalized and…
New fungicide Forcivo to combat foliar diseases across multiple crops with three powerful active ingredients, enhancing plant health and boosting yield potential Corteva has announced the upcoming launch of Forcivo fungicide, designed to combat foliar diseases in corn and soybeans using three powerful active ingredients: flutriafol, azoxystrobin, and fluindapyr. Awaiting approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forcivo promises both preventive and curative control against diseases like tar spot, southern rust, and frogeye leaf spot. Mike Eiberger, U.S. Marketing Leader at Corteva, emphasized that Forcivo will provide growers with a robust tool to enhance plant health, increase yield potential,…
Multinational firm Albaugh unveiled its new insecticide, Afiado, at this year’s Expocitros event. Designed to target the citrus psyllid—the key pest responsible for spreading ‘greening,’ a disease that has significantly impacted Brazil’s citrus industry—Afiado aims to address the top concern of citrus growers across the country. Albaugh has introduced Afiado, a systemic contact and ingestion insecticide formulated with Acetamiprid and Bifenthrin, during Expocitros 2025. This technology, already proven effective in Brazil on crops like potato, coffee, beans, corn, soybean, and cotton, targets a range of pests including Anthonomus grandis, Bemisia tabaci, and Hypothenemus hampei. Nelson Azevedo, Albaugh’s marketing and development…
Corteva Agriscience has launched Incitro, an insecticide from the spinosyn chemical group, known for its effectiveness in controlling greening, as highlighted by the Citrus Defense Fund (Fundecitrus) Corteva Agriscience has introduced Incitro, a new insecticide featuring its exclusive molecule, Jemvelva Active. The company highlights Jemvelva for its “high knockdown power, broad-spectrum control, prolonged residual effect, selectivity, and a shorter safety interval,” allowing farmers to harvest just one day after application. Belonging to the spinosyn chemical group, Incitro is recognized for its effectiveness in managing greening disease, according to the Citrus Defense Fund (Fundecitrus). The molecule underwent extensive trials across four…
The Mosaic Company is progressing its growth strategy with the successful launch of a biostimulant product in China The Mosaic Company is progressing its strategy to redefine growth by proudly announcing the successful launch of Neptunion, its latest biostimulant product, in China. Neptunion enhances crop resilience against abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heat by integrating stress-resistant properties into water-soluble fertilizers. This addition to the Mosaic Biosciences portfolio supports sustainable agriculture by helping growers boost yields while reducing environmental impact. Jenny Wang, Executive Vice President Commercial, commented, “The launch of Neptunion in China marks a key milestone for our…
The announcement came during a visit to the United States by a delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, led by Minister Do Duc Duy Vietnam is poised to sign more than $2 billion in agricultural trade deals with the United States, the Vietnamese government announced Tuesday, in a bid to ease trade tensions and avert a potential 46% tariff on exports threatened by President Donald Trump. The announcement came during a high-level visit to the US by a Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Do Duc Duy. The move is seen as a strategic effort…
Indigo announced that Microsoft has committed to buying 60,000 soil carbon credits from the company’s fourth and largest carbon crop, issued in April by the Climate Action Reserve. This follows Microsoft’s initial purchase of 40,000 credits last June, further expanding their portfolio of verified, high-integrity carbon removals To date, Indigo’s carbon program has generated nearly one million tons of carbon impact while preventing over 64 billion gallons of surface water runoff. The company’s latest “carbon crop,” its largest to date, will direct tens of millions of dollars from private buyers to support regenerative farmers across the U.S. Under Indigo’s standard…
In a landmark development for agricultural technology, China has launched the Honghu T70—its first fully autonomous, battery-powered tractor—underscoring its commitment to innovation and sustainability in farming Powered by a lithium battery, the Honghu T70 features a permanent magnet synchronous motor and an advanced intelligent control system. The tractor is capable of performing a range of farming tasks autonomously by navigating pre-set routes. While in operation, it gathers real-time data on soil conditions, crop health, and other key agronomic factors, enabling data-driven decision-making for farmers and researchers. The Honghu T70 is equipped with a dual-motor system—one dedicated to vehicle propulsion and…
XAG has introduced its new high-performance agricultural drones, the P150 and P60, in partnership with CNH for Brazil. Revealed at Agrishow 2025, Latin America’s largest agricultural expo, these models represent a major advancement in providing comprehensive smart farming solutions with improved efficiency The XAG P150 Agricultural Drone stood out at Agrishow 2025 with its impressive 70-liter liquid tank and multifunctional capabilities for spraying, seeding, and fertilizing. Boasting a maximum payload of 70 kg, the P150 excels in heavy-duty operations on large farms, offering a high spray flow rate of up to 30 liters per minute and precise RTK centimeter-level positioning.…