Europe’s Leading Agritech Innovators November2019

The Face of a Reformative AgriTech Era

INNOVATORS

Gavin Dunne CEO

Editor’s Desk

Thehumanpopulationisgrowingatan unprecedentedrate.Accordingtoareport publishedbytheUnitedNations,itis expectedtoreach9.7billion,adding2billionpeople onearthby2050.Thisvisibilyascertainsthatthere willbemanymouthstofeedandthedemandfor everythingundertheskywillincrease.Lookingatthe currentstaticwhereonly40%ofthelandisavailable forgrowingthecrops,thecircumstancesofthefuture seemsoverwhelming.

Theagricultureindustryhasalsobeenthoughtofas theindustrythatistoodeeplyrootedintraditional ways,andthatisseldomadaptstochanges.Butwhen combinetheseold-fashionedmethodsandtherising appetiteofhumansociety,thesenewchallengeshave pavedthepathforsomethingevengreaterinnovation

AgriTech, Pioneering Pathways for Agricultural Industry

Innovationisthecatalysttodisruptioninevery industrythereisandtheagricultureindustryisn’tfar behind.Ithasevengivenrisetoitsdisciplinebythe nameAgriTech.Insimpleterms,itmeanstheuseof technologyintheagricultureindustrytoimprove yield,efficiencyandprofitability.Theseadvancements intechnologyandprecisedataareopening opportunitiesforproduction,traceabilityandthe preservationofnaturalresources.

Agritechisadoptingnewtechnologicalinnovations suchasleveragingthecloud,bigdata,IoTandmuch more.Itssuccesscanbeseeninmultipleprojectsthat arecarriedaroundtheworldsuchas:Dronescanning -usedoncropfieldforscanningwithmultiple spectralimagingsensors,GPSmapcreationthrough

onboardcameras,heavypayloadtransportationandlivestockmonitoringwiththermal-imagingcameraequippeddrones.

Usingremotesensingtocollectvastamountofinfowhichhelpsfarmersandfishermeninmakinginformeddecisions. BridgingtheinformationgapbetweenfarmersandAgripreneursviacommunicationtechnologieslikepodcasts,blogs,social mediaplatforms,andebooks.

Suchmultipletechnologiesalongwithfarmrobotics,blockchaintrading,hydroponics(soillessfarmingtechusedtoinsulate cropsfromtheeffectsofclimatechange),Bio-EnergyandBio-materials,etc.aresteppingtheirfootandleadingthewayfor otheringeniousapproaches.

WeatInsightssuccesshavecomeacrosscompaniesthatarecommittedtodisrupttheagriculturalindustrywiththeiravantegardewaysandtechnologies.Itisourhonortointroduceyoutothisedition,“Europe’sLeadingAgritechInnovators”

OntheCover,weareintroducingyoutoTheOliveFeedCorporationspearheadedbyCEOGavinDunne.Thecompany transformsolivewasteintoanutritiousfeed.Itprovidescutting-edgescientific-basedresearchonnutritionalhealthbenefits notonlyforthewagayucattle,butalsofortheconsumerofthemeat.

Otherprominentcompaniesfeaturedinthiseditionincludes:AgroInnovationLabwhichactivelytakepartinshapingthe futureofagriculturebyimplementingnewtechnologiesandstrategies,increasingefficiencyandconservingresources; Agvesto,acompanythataimstohelpfarmersbyprovidingparametricinsuranceproductsagainstnaturalhazards;Desert Control,whichischangingthelandscapeofdesertsandaridsoilintofertileland;FFRobotics,astartupthatprovidescosteffectivesolutiontoever-increasingfruitharvestingnecessities;andLeafAgriculture,aplatformthatprovidesitsAPIfor theagritechcompaniestomakeuseofthedataintheagriculturesectorseamlessly.

Wearealsoprivilegedtomentionthecontributionofnotablecompaniessuchas:IntelligentGrowthSolutions,Evja, MazzottiSRL,SANNGroup

TheeditionalsohasaCxOandarticleswrittenbytheindustry-expertandourin-houseeditorialteam.Wehopeyouenjoy readingthiseditionasmuchaswedidwhilecuratingitforyou.

Have an exciting read ahead!

Vishal Muktewar

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Anish Miller Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Contributing Writers

Vishal Muktewar

Abhishaj, Upama, Sneha, Ryan

Art & Design Head Amol Kamble

Art & Design Assistant

Visualiser David King Paul Belin Co-designer

Art & Picture Editor

Deepanjali Jena

Asha Bange

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Anna, Kelly, Sapna Business Development Executives

Sales Executives Michael, Judy, Sophie

Amar Sawant

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Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head SME-SMO Executives Gemson, Uma, Manoj

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November, 2019

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Cover Story

Gavin Dunne CEO

The Face of a Reformative AgriTech Era

Wherewouldtheworldbeifthedisciplinesof agricultureandtechnologyhadn’tintertwined forthegreatergoalofhumanity’sprogress? Howelsewouldoureconomiessustain,ifnotfrom exportingagriculturalproducebackedbyquality-enhancing technologies?Wouldwehaveleveragedthebenefitsof agriculturalrevolutionsacrosstheworld,ifitweren’tfor thisreformativeamalgamation?Thesequestionsunveilthe amountofemphasisthereisontheprogressand developmentoftheAgriTechsectoracrosstheglobe.

Tobringyourattentiononthemotiveofthisparticularidea aboutexploringtheAgriTechlandscape,whichisof seekingandunveilinginnovativesolutionsand technologies,weatInsightsSuccessareprivilegedto introduceTheOliveFeedCorporation

Mostorganizations,insomeortheotherway,strive ceaselesslytowardscateringtocertainrequirementsofa particularindustryandcustomers.Onasimilarnotion,The OliveFeedCorporation,throughitsproprietarycooking process,hasderivedasolutiontouseolivewasteasan animalfeedwhichharnessesallthebenefitsofOliveOil, significantlyimprovingthequalityofmeatandanimal health.

TheOliveFeedCorporation’sreformativeanimalfeed increasestheOleicacidcontentofmeat,whichlowersthe meltingpointoffat,givingitasofterandjuicertexture. Glutamicacid,whichisessentiallyflavour,increasesby over50%,creatinganamazingumamianddistinctive sweet-butteryflavourinthemeat.TheMonounsaturatedfat ratioswithinthemeatalsoincrease,comparedtosaturated fatwhichgivesalightereatingexperienceespeciallyin Wagyu Beef.Alloftheseaspectstogetherleadtoincredible tastingmeatthatallowsthefarmtoaddsignificantlytothe bottomline,simultaneouslyhavingapositiveeffectonthe environment.Meanwhile,inthedistributionchain,thereare enhancedperformances.Farmers,distributors,restaurants andretailersmakehighermargins,whiletheendconsumer receivesahealthymeat,allthewhileacknowledgingthat theyarereducingtheircarbonfootprint.

PersonifyingInnovation

Anyorganization,tosustainandthriveintheglobalmarket, requiresaproficientleaderwhoisinnatelypassionateand driventowardstheorganization’smission.Similarly,The OliveFeedCorporation’shelmofprogressandwidespread recognition,isatthehandsofitsCEO,GavinDunne.

ItwasGavin’sloveforfoodandcookingthatledhimto testingvariouscookingmethodsonolivewaste.This ultimatelyledtothediscoveryoftheorganization’s proprietarycookingprocesswhichhassincebeenpatented. Sincethen,forGavinandtheteam,ithasbeenabout puttingastructuretogetherinternationallytomakethe businesswork.

“We built a production line with the leading Olive Pomace factory in the world Elsap SA in Nafplio, created a brand suitable for such a prestigious animal feed, and have since proven the concept around the world about how Olive Feed improves meat quality and leads to increased profitability

for farmers,” statesGavin.

Gavin,withgreatconcern,expresseshisopinionuponthe gravityoftheresultingeffectsofdisregardingthe appropriatetechniqueorprocessofcreatinganimalfeedout ofolivewaste.Hestates, “We have seen some companies try to use olive waste as an animal feed, jumping on the back of what we are doing without doing their research. They soon realize its not safe to give Olive waste to animals in its regular state as it causes digestibility issues as well as health problems. There are innumerate studies out there for the last 70 years showing this but I guess there are always going to be some people who try to cut some corners.”

“ We create , Olive Feed the finest animal feed available using a process that solves a Global ” Environmental Issue

SurpassingAdversities

Challengesandadversitiesareapartandparcelof entrepreneurshipandthepertainingsurroundings.Gavin andTheOliveFeedcorporationhavealsohadtheirfair shareofchallenges.Themostprominentamongthembeing theprolongedstrifeofgettingorganizationsliketheEU, andeventheirowngovernment’spubliclyfundedbodiesto recognizewhattheyaredoingfortheenvironment.

Gavinemphasizesonthefactthatapartfrombeingtheonly entityintheworldusingolivewasteina100% environmentallyfriendlyway,TheOliveFeedCorporation hasachievedavisiblereductionofMethanegasproduction whenfeedinganimalswithOliveFeedanimalfodder.

“Not a single Irish Journalist has cared to look into this despite being made aware, our country’s publicly funded body showed little interest at the top of the organization, wanting us to privately fund any studies done in Ireland on it, despite Methane gas production being Ireland’s single biggest agricultural problem,” Gavinexpresses.

Additionally,GavinstatesthattheEuropeanUnion’s environmentalbodieshavecompletelyignoreddozensof lettersandattemptstobringtheirattentiontowhatthe organizationhasbeendoing. “It’s quite sad really as it highlights the dark reality that none of these organizations or people involved in them really care about the environment,” headds.However,oneorganizationin Ireland–BordBia,helpedthecompanyalotinitsoverseas challenges,andGavinassertsthatitisnosurprisetheywere chosentorepresenttheEuropeanUniontomarketit’s

productsaroundtheworld.

OneotherchallengethatTheOlive FeedCorporationregularlyfaces,is thatofexports.Thecompany’scentral productisafeedforWagyucattle.The challengethereisthatthesecattleare fewandfarbetweeninEurope,and thereforewhileTheOliveFeed Corporationhasasmallnumberof customersinEurope,itsbusinesshas tobeconductedmostlyinAustralia, AsiaandtheUnitedStates. “Passing Bio-security audits from the Australian government was an expensive and time consuming process, but ultimately passing their stringent controls has made us a better company with a flawless production system,” states Gavin.

EnvisioningExcellence

TheOliveFeedCorporationhas developedauniquetraceability softwareallowingretailersand consumerstoseeexactlywhattheyare eatingandwhereitscomingfrom.The companyhopesthatthiswill eventuallybecomethestandardinthe industry,inthenearfuture.

TheOliveFeedCorporationisnow expandingintodifferentmarkets, developingproductsforDucks,Pigs, andHorses.Gavinhopesthatwithina fewyearstheseproductswillbe recognizedasthebestanimalfeedson themarket,fornotjustproducing exceptionalmeatbutalsoashealthand wellnessproducts.

“By hiring the right people, and selectively dealing with farms that have a personal touch and care for their animals, we can grow in a sustainable and healthy way keeping in line with our environmental ethos,” he concludes.

Defining a New Age for AgTech with Innovative Approach

Foundedin2016,AgroInnovationLabisatrend scout,accelerator,networker,mentor, unconventionalthinktank,knowledgecarrier, partner,andfacilitatorunifiedinitsgoaltoplayanactive partinshapingthefutureofagriculturethroughinnovation.

Thecompany’smanifoldactivitiesconjoinAgTechwith conventionalagriculturaltechnology,mergingtheexpertise oftraditionalagriculturewiththepossibilitiesof digitization,thusbuildinganetworkofresearch, development,entrepreneurship,investors,andthemarket. WeapproachedDavidSaad,theCEOofAgroInnovation Labforanexclusive Interview with Insights Success:

Q: Give a brief overview of your organization and the services and/or solutions you offer. Enlighten us with your inception story and the inspiration behind it.

A:AgroInnovationLabisthejointinnovationhubof BayWaandRWA.Ourtaskistoscout,validateandsupport theimplementationofcollaborationswithinnovative partnersinordertosecurethepipelineregardinginnovative technologies,businessmodelandproducts.Wedothis becauseitisacorevalueofBayWaandRWAtostaythe partnertoturntowhenitcomestomodernagriculture. Weresorttodifferenttoolsinordertofulfillourmission: Accelerationprograms,innovationchallenges,hackathons, individualinnovationprojectsandco-innovationinitiatives withindustry/cross-industrypeersareexamplesofformats thatweareabletoutilize.Overthepast3years,we evaluatedmorethan800startupsfrommorethan70 countriesallovertheglobeandrealizedmorethan25 collaborationprojects.

Q: Give us a brief overview of the featured person(s) and their contribution towards the company and its success.

A:Ijoinedthecompanyinitsverybeginningin2016in ordertobringinstartupandentrepreneurialperspective, andtogetherwithmyteamwedevelopedAILfroman

acceleratorprogramtothejointinnovationhubofBayWa andRWA.Wecouldachievethisbycontinuously expandingitsservicecatalog,startingwiththeacceleration programandaddingdiverseinnovationformatsfrom hackathonsoverinnovationchallenges,internalinnovation processestoindividualcollaborationsearchprojectsandso on.

Q: How do you think has the AgriTech and affiliated solutions market evolved and what can be expected in the forthcoming years?

A:TrendslikeDigitizationandconnectivityhavedefinitely arrivedinagricultureoverthelastyears.Farmers worldwideneedthetoolsthesedevelopmentsofferthem becausetheyfacethechallengeofproducingmoreina shortertimespanusingfewerresources-beittime,landor inputmaterials.However,comparedtootherindustries agriculturefaceslongerleadtimes–justthinkofvegetation periods,higherinvestrequirementsandfurtherspecific hurdles.Takeroboticsforexample:althoughtheuseof robotsine.g.theautomotiveindustryisstateoftheart, usingarobotonthefieldisatotallydifferenttask.You simplydonothaveaclosedandsecureenvironment,soil changesfromonepassingtotheotherandplantsaresimply notstandardized.

Thusthepracticalimplementationofrobots,satellite analysis,machineautomation,AI-plantdisease-forecasting algorithmsandsoonarestillnotatthepointwherefarmers canfullyrelyonthemandareusingthemonadaytoday basis.Ithinkthechallengeaheadistoconstantlyimprove thesetechnologiesandthusbringthemtoalevelwhere farmerscanandarewillingtoapplythemasconfidingas theydotheirtractor.

Q: What are the benefits gained by your clients/users from your products/solutions/services?

A:Innovationsweworkonareasdiverseasagriculture

itselfandrangefrommachineryoverplantbreeding, forestry,animalhealthcareandirrigationtotrading platformsandurbanfarming.However,whatallofthem haveincommonisthattheyaimatmakingthelivesof farmerseasierbyhelpingthemtoincreaseefficiency,save resources,ordothingsinatotallynewway.Forusitis crucialthatourinnovationsreallydelivervaluetoour customers,thatiswhyweengagewiththeminclose contactfromtheverybeginningofourprojects.Customer centricityiskeyinallofouractivitiesandIthinkthisisthe reasonwhywehaveaverygoodsuccessrateconsidering theimplementationofourprojects.

Q: What obstacles and/or limitations does you and your company face while growing, sustaining or retaining its clientele?

A:Bringinginnovationintoabigcorporationisalwaysa toughtask.Itrequiresalotofconvincing,communicating andhardworkbecauseyouoftenhavetogotoother people’sextramilesinordertoprovethatwhatyouare doingmakessense.Thegoodthingisthatisgettingalittle biteasierwhenyouscoreyourfirstsuccesses.Thebad newsisthatitwillneverstop,nomatterhowsuccessfulyou are.

Q: What does the future hold for your company in terms of internal as well as holistic development?

A:Internal:IntheupcomingyearwillexpediteourCoInnovationinitiativeswithindustryandcross-industry peers,sointerestedpartnersarewelcometoshootusa message!

Holistic:Ithinkthatduetofactorslikelaborshortage, climatechangeandpopulationgrowthinnovationin agriculturewillbecomemoreandmoreimportantoverthe nextyearsandIamreallylookingforwardtobeingapart ofit.

Q: Would you like to highlight any awards, accolades or testimonials your company has achieved throughout?

A:BornGlobalInnovatorAwardbytheAustrianChamber ofCommerce,listedamongthetop5innovationunitsinthe DACHregionwhenitcomesto“scalinginnovations”(by infrontconsultingandtheventurecapitalmagazine “Capital”),FirstCorporateAgTechAcceleratorinEurope.

For us it is crucial that our innovations really deliver value to our customers, that is why we engage with them in close contact from the very beginning of our projects “

DavidSaad CEO

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An Innovative Insurance Platform Protecting Agricultural Assets AGVESTO

Apartfromairandwater,vegetation,orsimplyput, foodiswhatmakeslifesustainableonplanetearth. Thismakesagricultureaubiquitousindustry.It doesn’tmatterhowdevelopedotherindustriesareina country.Ifitisn’tagriculturallystrongandself-sufficientin addressingthefoodrequirementsofitspopulation,itisn’ta developednation.Butwithchangingtimesandanenvironmentthatisturningvolatile,theagricultureindustryisin direneedofmethodsandsupportthatwillhelpitstaystrong andsecure.Itneedstechnologyandfinancialinstruments thatcanprotectlandownersandfarmersgloballytomake themrobustandfacetheadversities.

Keepingtherequirementsoftheindustryinparticularand sustainabilityasawhole,ateamofentrepreneursislooking tomakeagricultureandrelatedenergyinfrastructuretostay resilientthroughtheircompany,Agvesto.Itisatechnology platformbusinesswithamissiontomobilizecapitaland insurancetomeetsustainabledevelopmentgoalsworldwide. Agvestoprovidesparametricinsuranceproductstofarmers, agriculturalbusinessesagainstnaturalhazardsduetoclimate change.Italsoassistsissuerssuchasstategovernment, municipalities,andcorporationsinissuinggreenand sustainablebonds.

UnderstandingtheProblemstofindSolutions

AgvestowasfoundedbyDr.SriniSundaramwithadesire totransformthewaytheagriculturalsectorisservedby financialinstitutions.Traditionallyseenasahigh-risksector, farmersandagriculturalbusinesseshavebeenissuedcreditat ahighercostthanthelentcredit.Thistogetherwithlackof insurancebringsaspiralofriskstofarmersworldwidewhen theyareworkingdayandnighttoservetheirsurrounding population.

BeforefoundingAgvesto,Sriniwasinvolvedinmicrofinance institutionsintheUKandEuropeandadvancingsensorand artificialintelligencetechnologiesintheAviationsectorwith RollsRoyce.Usingtheexperiencegainedinthefinancial sectorandindustry,andhispassiontowardsearthandnatural resources,hewantedtobringresilienceandsustainabilityto theagriculturalsector.Herecognizedthatasectorsuchas agriculturerequireslongtermstructuralrethinkingandhence patientcapitalwassomethingwhichasafounder,hewas willingtoaddtothebusiness.

Usinghisexpertiseinthescience,engineeringandfinancial servicessector,hewasabletoleadtheproductstrategywith theassistanceofhisteamindeliveringabestinclassproduct

tothemarket.ThisquestresultedinbuildingAgvesto,a platformcapableofbringingthebestinclasstechnologyto solveacriticalproblemsocietyneedstoaddressi.efood securityandsustainability.

UnderstandingAgritechasanIndustry Agritechisacomplexsectorwithvariousfacetstoit.Team Agvestoexplainstheamalgamationofagricultureand technologysaying, “Technology has shown value and penetration across various segments such as seed to sale, improving the farm operational practices and land management practices. Technology can also aid some of the manually intensive safety-critical processes so that the farm businesses can become lean efficient machines and hence improve the productivity and yield along the process. The adoption of technology very much depends on the value add, the market conditions the farm businesses operate. What it has shown over the recent years is that this sector has potential to improve the way of lives of farmers and allow them to focus on what they love. i.e. farming”

Technologyalsoenablesthefinancialaspectsofagriculture suchasbanking,insurance,investment,andtradefinance. TheuseoftechnologyallowsAgvestotodigitizeanddeliver productsthroughthelastmileseamlessly.Italsoforesees technologytransformingtheconventionalproductdelivery acrossvarioussegmentsenablingthemtotransittoanew modelofdeliverythatisbespokeandthatworksforfarmers andfarmbusinessesworldwide.

MakingaDifference

Agvesto’soverallmissionisbringingthefarmersand agriculturebusinessesoutoftheircurrentstructuraldependencytoaself-sustainingandresilientindustry.Usingitsrich data,AgvestodesignsinsurancepolicieswiththeInsurance carriersandManagingGeneralAgents(MGAs)andworks withBrokerstodistributetheproductstothemarketusingits DigitalPlatform.Thesepoliciesaredesignedtoprotect farmersagainstnaturalperilsusingapre-determinedIndex foragivenareathatcloselytracksthelosses.Theseindices canbeadataderivedoramachinelearningmodelderived.It usesacombinationofradar,opticalsatellitesworldwide alongwithweatherstationdata.Tocomplimentthem,italso sendsweatherstationsandsensorequipmentsontheground togetafullpictureofwhatthephysicalassetisexposedto. Thedatasetsitacquiresduringtheseasonisalsomade availabletofarmersasthecompanybelieveshe/sheisthe assetownerandtheyshouldbegiventhedatatomakebetter decisionsandhencegivingthemachancetoreducethe

exposurewhenaperilsstrikesthem.

Thepayoutisdeterminedandagreedinadvanceusingthese parametersbringingtheusersthetotaltransparency.The teamhasgarneredvastexperienceinnotonlydeveloping anddeployingtechnologyproductsbutalsoaverysolid understandingofhowitcanimpacttheinsurancedelivery andcreditdeliveryinagivencountry.

Throughitsdistinguishedservices,Agvestowasableto protectfarmersagainstnaturalhazardsintheUSwithits protectionparametricinsuranceproductsdevelopedin partnershipwithunderwritersandbrokers.

Agvestokeepstheproduct’spayouttermstransparentsothat thereisalittledelaybetweentheclaimafarmbusiness makeswhenanaturalperilhappenstothepayout.Thisis veryimportantinthecontextofbothdevelopedand developingmarketswheretheinefficienciesofloss assessmentresultinfarmersunabletogetprotectionwhen theymostneeditafteranaturalhazardeventsuchasFlood, Drought,Heatwave,Hail,andWildfire.Incertaincountries, farmershavelostfaithininsurersabilitytoprotectthemas delaysareobservedasmuchasayear.Itfeelsinadequateto demandasaconsumertoinstantcoffeewithmodernecommerceandpaymentinnovationsandyetwhenthecoffee producingfarmerfacelossesduetoclimaterelatedperils,we arehappytohaveasystemthatmakeshim/herwaitfor monthstopayhisclaim.

SurpassingAdversities

TalkingaboutchallengesthatAgvestostrivestoconquer, Sriniexplains, “We believe progressive policy-making towards achieving sustainable development goals and regulatory regimes can unlock the value for Agvesto in various countries. Lack of clear policy framework and regulatory guidelines could mean institutional and private sector investors’participation will be weak in mobilising capital and in providing innovative products such as parametric insurance. This not only hampers the progress we can make as an organization but also hinders the sustainability of agriculture as a sector.”

Challengesaside,Agvestoisbusydevelopingsolutionsthat arebeingbuiltusinghighperformanceandlowlatency infrastructureforglobaldelivery.Thefuture,forAgvesto, looksverypromising.Inthelast12months,ithasrampedup theinsuranceprotectionprovisionandalsolookingata wideradoptionbyproducerscommunityworldwide.

Thecompanyisalsocommittedtoassistingcountries,sub nationalsandcorporatesectortoreachtheir sustainable developmentgoalsandthisisverymuchembeddedinits productthinkingwhenitdevelopsforvariousinternational markets.Agvestoforeseesastrongdemandforitsproducts

Dr.SriniSundaram Founder

We believe technology can unlock values in many ways in across the agricultural value chain.

The impact of technology will be realised by those who work on behalf of the farmers and produce farm and crop centric bespoke nancial products.

thataresustainability,adaptationandresilience-focusedin comingyearsahead.Inthisdirection,thebusinessis workingcurrentlywithanumberofstategovernmentsand municipalitiesinIndiatomobiliseClimateactionandSDG programsthroughdebtfinancinginstrumentssuchasGreen andMunicipalbonds.

Reducingthecostofcapitaltogetherwithproviding protectiontovulnerablecountriescouldpaveapathto achievingsustainabledevelopmentgoalsandtheteamis fullyfocusedinhelpingtheunderservedcommunity worldwide.

“

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Farming as a Service

EDITOR’S DESK

”

“When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.”–DanielWebster, RenownedAmericanStatesman

Afterthegreat

transformationofIT sectorwiththe implementationofSoftware-asa-Servicemodel,Indiaisgoing towitnessatransformationin theailingagriculturesector.

Well-knownasagrarian economy,Indiahasthesecondlargestarablelandgloballywith its160millionhectares, succeedingtheUnitedStateof America.Despitethis,thesector isfacingadeprivingstate. Around70percentofIndian populationistotallydependent onagriculture.Sadly,they compriseofsmallfarmerswho barelyholdonehectareofland holding,struggletomakeends meetanddependonloansfor theirdaytodayfarming.

WhatisFarming-as-a-Service?

FarmingasaServiceoffersinnovative,professional-grade solutionsforagriculturalandalliedservicesviaa subscriptionorpay-per-usemodel.SomesolutionsbyFaaS areorganized,efficientreinventionsofexistingpractices, whileothersarebrand-newtech-driveninnovations. ThefirstFaaScategoryisfarmmanagementsolutions, whichofferinformationsharing,analyticsandprecision farmingtools.Informationmanagementbetweenfarmers, government,corporates,financialinstitutionsandadvisory bodiesfallunderthiscategory.

ProductionassistanceisthesecondcategoryofFaaS,which offerson-farmresourcestoaidproduction.Thisinvolves equipmentrental,labourservicesandutilityservices.

ThethirdandfinalFaaScategoryoffersaccessto markets—platformsconnectingfarmerswithsuppliersof agrochemicalsandconsumersoftheirfarmproduce.

Thesesolutionshavebeenadoptedgloballytoprovidea gatewaytoinnovationsacrosstheagriculturevaluechain.

HighImpactModelofFaaS

Withaclearperspectiveofanefficientandproductive futureofAgriculturesector,boththeGovernmentandthe privateplayersareincliningtowardstheeffectivenessof FarmingasaServing.Basically,FaaSprovidesaffordable technologysolutionsforefficientfarming.Itconvertsfixed costsintovariablecostsforfarmers,whichmakesthe techniquesmoreaffordableforamajorityofsmallfarmers. Theservicesareavailableonasubscriptionorpay-per-use basisinthreecategories,whicharecrucialacrossthe agriculturevaluechain:

Farm management Solutions: Informationsharing, analyticsandprecisionfarmingtools

Production assistance: On-siteresourcestoaidproduction, suchasequipmentrentals

Access to markets: Virtualplatformsthatconnectfarmers withsuppliersofseeds,fertilisersandotheragrochemicals, aswellasconsumersoftheirproduce.

Nonetheless,themodelalsohasavastsocialimpactonthe ruralagrarianeconomyinwhichsmallandmarginal farmersaretheprimarybeneficiaries.

FarmingasaServiceinIndia FaaSbearsalotofpotentialtotheforever-ailingscenarioof

IndianAgriculture.WiththearrivalofFaaS,Indiahas witnessedanincreaseinnumberofstart-upsandaninflux offundstothesector.TotalinvestorforFaaSinIndiais currently$105millionto$115million,whichundeniably lookspromising.Thenumberofstartupsevolvingtogrowth stagefundinghasincreasedasinvestorsbecomemore confidentintheviabilityofthesebusinessmodelsandthe returns.IthasseentobecomeaglobaltrendasFaaSbased start-upshavegainedpopularityasinvestorshaveinvested millionsofdollarsintoit.

Themajorityoftheinvestmentsinstart-upsthatofferfarm managementsolutionsthatareprimarilyinfluencedby developedmarketswithhighmechanisation.Many start-upsareinthedigitalortechnologyspace,whichis alreadyattractinginvestmentsfromtechgiants.

Inaddition,boththecentralandstategovernmentshave takeninitiativesregardingthisnewinnovationof agriculturaltechnology.Thegovernmentisactivelypushing FaaS-basedservicesthroughcustomerhiringcentres (CHCs)andsoiltesting.Thegovernment'sfocuson increasinginstitutionalcredittofarmers,improving infrastructure(suchasinvestmentincoldstorageareas)and promotingdigitaltransactionswillalsoexpandFaaS-based solutions.

LookingtheWayForward

FaaScandefinitelyhelpaddresstheproblemslike inefficienciesacrosstheagriculturalsupplychain,suchas lowproductivity,lackoffarmmechanisation,accessto marketsanddataasymmetry.

FaaSwillencourageproductinnovationssuchas multipurposeagriculturalequipmentandtoolsforreal-time datacapturingandanalysis.FaaShasthepotentialtospark aneconomicandsocialrevolutionbyimprovingthestatus ofsmallandmarginalfarmers.Coordinationbetweenallthe directstakeholders(start-ups,investors,governmentsand corporations)andindirectstakeholders(localentrepreneurs, implementsuppliers,agronomistsandITvendors)iscritical forthesuccessofFaaS.Addressingthekeystructural challenges,suchasthelackofinfrastructure,technology andfinancing,theresistancefromthegroundleveland regionaldifferences,iscriticaltorealisingtheconcept'sfull potential.Inthefuture,alltheFaaSsolutions—farm managementsolutions,productionassistanceandaccessto markets—areexpectedtoconvergeintoasinglemodel,as theendcustomeristhefarmer.

Fromstrictregulatoryrequirements,increased consumerawareness,marketconsolidationand morecomplexsupplychains,foodandbeverage (F&B)manufacturersfaceconstantchallengestodayto deliverinnovativeproductsmoreefficientlytotheretail marketandconsumers.Successfulbusinessesneedtobe abletoreactquicklytospecificmarketdemands,ensure theirproductsmeetthehighestqualityandsecurity standards,andkeepdevelopmentandadministrativecosts minimaltoincreaseprofitmargins.

TheF&Bindustryischaracterizedbycomplexproduct structuresandproductionprocesses,makingaprocess-

orientedconceptinproductdevelopmentindispensable. Companiesneedtomaintainandmanagecomprehensive, coherentandaccurateproductdatainallinternalsystems andexchangeinformationwithtradepartnersasrequired. ProductLifecycleManagement(PLM)managesdataforall stagesandareasoftheproductlifecycle,integratingthem intoasinglesolutionandfacilitatingefficientand transparentinformationmanagement.Thiscomprehensive andcross-functionalsolutioncanstreamlineandimprove company-wideprocessesthatareassociatedwiththe development,productionandlaunchofproducts,allowing producerstodriveinnovation,minimizecostsandrisks,and eventuallygainacompetitiveadvantageinthemarket.

SpecPage,aglobalproviderofintegrateddata managementandcompliancesoftware,understands theneedsoftherecipe-basedmanufacturingindustry andhasextensiveexperienceindevelopingcosteffectivesolutionstoaddressthechallengesinthis field.ThereturnoninvestmentforaPLMsoftware canbequiteimpressiveasitleveragesproductivity andreducesrisks,ensuringlong-termsuccessand profitabilityforF&Bproducers.Researchhasshown thatbyadoptingaPLMapproachtheefficiencyof engineeringandformulationsolutionscanbe doubled.

Todate,manymanufacturingcompaniesmanage productinformationisolatedindifferentdepartments anddonotcreatecompany-widevisibility.Theyare thereforenotabletoutilizeexistingresourcesand expertise;noraretheyabletocontroltheentire productlifecycleefficiently,whichslows downprojectsanddelaysproduct launches.WithinR&D departments,dataisoften recordedseveraltimesinstead ofupdatingandmodifying existingproduct specificationsandrecipe formulations.Manualdata entryandmodificationcan resultinhighcostsand inaccuracies,andmay alsoleadtomissed

marketopportunitiesascompaniesarenotabletoreacttocustomerdemandsintime.Industry experiencehasshownthatformulationsoftwarecansave>56%ofthedevelopmentstaff’stime byreusingresourcesandavoidingthecreationofduplicates.

WiththehelpofPLMsolutions,businessescandevelopinnovativeproductsoptimally,boost efficientproductionandenhancetheirperformance.Anintegratedsolutioncancreateaglobal projectframeworkthatcaneasilybeadaptedtoregionalandlocalrequirements.

Besideseffectivecostmanagement,qualityassuranceplaysalsoacriticalroleinensuring companysuccess.Packagingandlabelingprocessesareasubstantialpartoftheproductlifecycle andarereceivingmoreattentionthaneverbeforenotleastduetotheincreasingregulatory requirementsanddemandsfromtradepartners.Designinginformativeandappealinglabels involvestheworkofengineers,designandmarketingmanagers,andcompliancespecialists, wherekeepinginformationindataislandscanslowdownthetime-to-market.Manufacturersneed tofullyintegratequalityassuranceprocessesinproductdevelopmentandmanagement,and ensurecomplianceacrosstheentireproductlifecycletomitigaterisksandavoidproductrecalls. TheimplementationofaPLMsolutionhelpscompaniestoproactivelyandtransparentlymanage informationthroughouttheproductlifecycleandsupplychain.Standardizedprocessesenable traceability,andensurequality,safetyandregulatorycompliance.Bypreventinglost,misplaced orunapproveddocumentationandrecords,20%ofthedevelopmentstaff’stimecanbesaved.

APLMsoftwareinvestmentisofteninitiatedbyasingledepartmentsuchasproductdevelopment orqualityassurance,howeverthefinancialbenefitsarevisibleacrosstheentirebusiness. SpecPage’sPLMsoftwareReturnonInvestment(ROI)calculatorhasbeenprogrammedonthe basisofbestpracticeandsuccessfulprojectsovertheyears.Withminimaldatainput,theROI calculatorproducesclearoutcomesusingeasystepstomeasurefinancialbenefitsthatcanbe achievedwiththehelpofSpecPage’ssolutionsforproductdevelopmentandinformation management.ThesehavebeendevelopedtomeetthespecificneedsoftheF&Bindustry,and can easilyandquicklybeimplementedanddeployed;specificfunctionalitieslikenutritional databases,globalcomplianceandlabelsupportareavailableoutoftheboxandofferusersgreat value.

Tocopewiththegrowingchallengesintheindustryandtoremaincompetitive,F&B manufacturersmusttakeanintegratedapproachinproductdevelopmentandqualityassurance, managingallphasesoftheproductlifecycle-fromconcepttomarketplace.Thisenablesthemto useexistingresourcesandexpertiseefficientlyanddriveinnovation.PLMisbecomingastandard intheindustryandisacrucialstepforlong-termsuccess.

A Promise to Make the Earth Green Again

Climatechangeandglobalwarmingdegradeland, causedesertstospreadandtemperaturestoriseina viciouscycle.Thedegradationoflandandsoil, cripplesterrestrialecosystemscrucialforbiodiversity,CO2 uptake,andnature’sfragilebalancevitalforalllifeon earth.

Twelvemillionhectaresofproductivelandperishannually duetodesertificationanddrought.Growingwaterscarcity magnifiesthechallengeofcombatingthisdilemma.Nature alonelackstheresiliencetoendurecontinued overexploitationandimpactsofclimatechange.Disrupting currenttrendsbyrestoringecosystemsandfostering sustainableuseofscarceresourcesiscrucialforthehealth andprosperityofourplanet.

DesertControlisaClimateTechcompanywhichcatersto thisnecessity.Itisspecializedintransformingdesertsand restoringaridsoilintofertileland.ItspatentedLiquid TM NanoClay(LNC)isacompoundofclayandwaterproven toenhancethehealthofsandyaridsoilsbyreducing salinityandimprovinghygroscopy(abilitytoabsorband holdwatermoleculesandnutrients).

ResearchbyICBA(InternationalCenterforBiosaline Agriculture)validatesincreasedyieldswhileusingupto 50%lesswaterforirrigation.Restoringunproductiveland andmakingdesertsfertilecantake7-15years,however, TM soiltreatedwithLNC canbeproductivewithin7hours. Therevitalizedsoilfacilitatessustainablelandusageand strengthensecosystemresiliencetooverexploitationand climatechange.

TheStoryofInception

10yearsago,theFounder,KristianP.Olesencameto knowaboutaproblemcreatedbytheAswanDamonthe Nileriver.TheNileisrichinnutrientsanddeposits,suchas slitandclayminerals.Beforetheconstructionofthedamin the1960s,theNilebroughtthesemineralsalongand naturallybuiltuptheriverdeltaandsurroundingland.The

Nileperiodicallyfloodeditsbanks.Suchfloodsalongwith theriver’snaturalsupplyofmineralscreatedfertileand greenareas.

AftertheAswanproject,theflowofsiltandclayminerals stoppedbehindthedam,andthecontrolledriverdidnot flooditsbanksinthesamewayasbefore.Theriverdelta andassociatedareasalongtheNilewentintoregressive developmentwitherosion,deterioration,andsoilerosion. Egyptianscientistsdeterminedearlyonthedirectcause beingthelackofsiltandclaymineralspreviouslysupplied naturallybytheNile.Researchhasshownthatclayenriches soilswithabetterabilitytoabsorbandretainwaterand nutrients.

Inspiredbydrillingtechnologyandmudpumpsystems fromtheoilandgasindustry,Olesenapproachedand solvedtheproblemwhichhadEgyptianscientistsatapass. ResultsfromEgypthadshownthatclaycouldactasa naturalbinderinsoilswithhighsandcontents.Degradation ofsoilgraduallyreducestheorganicmatteruntilonly mineralslikesandremain.Ifyoutrytoshapeahandfulof sandintoalump,itisfutile.Thekeyisgettingthesand grainstosticktogether,andinthisway,tore-create formabilityandstructurethatresemblesorganicdark farmingsoil.

TheSolution- LNC: Liquid NanoClay

Basedonthearchitectureofmudpumpsystems,Kristian developedatechnologythatprocessesclayintoa TM homogenousliquid.HeinventedLNC whichenriches sandysoilstotheequivalentofnormaldarksoils,with TM traitscomparabletohigh-qualityfarmingsoil.LNC isa mineral-basedentirelynaturalcombinationofclayand water(withoutanychemicals),thatisreadyforanyorganic use.

Thefirstattemptsrevealedseveralissues.Thebreakthrough wasacombinationofestablishedoffshoreconceptsandinhousedevelopedprecisiongrinding,Nanotechnology,and

particletheory.Throughanalysisandalgorithms,automated TM throughsoftware,LNC undergoesformulationtoform specificproperties–rightdowntotheparticle,proton,and electronlevel.

TMLNC cancontributeasacatalystforsoilandecosystem resilience,enhancingtheirabilitytocopewiththeharsh impactofclimatechangeandover-exploitation.Inaworld wherewaterisbecomingascarceresourceatthesame

TM time,LNC ’sproveneffectwithupto50%reductionin irrigationneedswillalsobeofgreatvalue.

AStep-by-stepGuidetoImplementtheProcess

1)Processclayandwaterintoacompounduniquely formulatedforspecificvariablessuchassoil,sandandcrop applications.

TM 2)LNC isappliedtosandoraridsandysoilusing establishedirrigationmethods.

TM 3)TheLNC percolatesthroughthesoil,forminganatural bondbetweensandparticles.

4)Whensandparticlesbond,morestickinessandholding TM capacityinthesoiltextureiscreated.WithoutLNC,water andnutrientsmerelyflowstraightthroughsandoraridsoil; leavingplants,rootsystems,andfungusunabletomakeuse

TM ofthem.LNC enablesthesoiltoretainwaterlikea spongeandfostersperfectconditionsforgrowth.

TM

5)Seedscanbesownwithin7hoursofanLNC application;allowingplantstogroweveninareas previouslyunfeasibleforthemtosurvive.

TheDynamicLeader

OleKristiantransformstechnologyinnovationsinto businessvalueatcompaniessuchasCitrix,RESSoftware, SunMicrosystems,Telenor,EVRY,andGlobalEagle.His leadershiphasdeliveredsignificantshareholdervaluefrom M&Aactivities,turnarounds,corporaterestructuring,and growththrougharelentlessfocuson“People First –Customers Always.”

Hisphilosophyisallaboutmakingotherssuccessful; Empoweringcolleaguestobesuccessfulcreatesagreat workplace,inspiringthemtomakecustomerssuccessful createsagreatcompany.

“

From sand to soil in 7 hours “

With20yearsofexperiencefromscalingbusinessinglobal marketscombinedwithdrivingchangeandinnovation;his keytake-awaysarethatevenglobalbusinessisalocal business,andsuccessdependsequallyonfocus,execution, andengagement.

Today,OleKristiandedicateshispassionandenergyto ClimateTechandcombatingsomeofthegreatestthreatsto lifeonearthtogetherwithhisteamatDesertControl.

FFRobotics

Creating a New Age for Fruit Harvesting

Duetotheincreasingdemandinthemarket,the adoptionofmechanicalandroboticsystemsin AgriTechhasevolved.Farmershaverealizedthe addedvalueofnewtechnologiesinotherfieldsthatwould contributetotheirownneedsandrequirements.Theyhave startedtolookforsolutionstothepressingproblemsof scarcelaborersanddiminishingprofitsduetorisinglabor andothercostsrelatingtofarming.

Assuchdemandbecameapparent,severalstartupsentered thefield,tryingtodevelopthesolutionstotheseproblems. Thisalsocapturedtheattentionofventurecapitalfirmswho startedtoinjectthenecessaryfundingtosupportsuchnew developments,whichinturnsparkedyetadditional companiestolookforspecificfieldwhere mechanical/robotic/softwaresolutionswouldeaseoffthese problems.

FFRoboticsisastartupthatprovidesacost-effective solutiontoever-increasingchallengesoffindingand retaininglabor,risinglaborcosts,andpotentialdamageto hand-pickedfruit,withasignificantgaintogrowersin addedproductivityandefficiency.

MakingFruitHarvestingEffortless

Themajorityofharvests,suchaswheat,corn,greenbeans,

tomatoes,andmanyothercropshavebeenmechanizedfor decades.However,forthefragileproduceoftreefruitsfor freshconsumption(i.e.,withoutprocessing),likeapple, citrus,peach,pear,aswellastablegrapes,wherethecrop’s qualityandappearanceisespeciallyimportant,have remainedstubbornlyresistantpartlybecauseofthenonavailabilityoftechnology.

In2016,over7milliontonsoffreshappleswerepickedoff treesallaroundtheUSAalone.100%ofthesefruitswere pickedmanually,mostlybyseasonallaborers.These laborersbecomemoreandmorescarce,asoldpickers retire,theyoungonesdonotwanttoworkinagriculture, andlaborersfromforeigncountriesarelimitedinnumber orentirelyforbiddenfromentry,andinanyeventrequire extensivetraining,withincreasinglodging,foodand transportationcosts.

FFRoboticsFreshFruitHarvestingsolutionhasathreefingeredgripperthatcangrabfruitandtwistorclipitfrom abranch,andhastwelveroboticarms,whichmeans, accordingtothecompany,itwillbeabletopickupto 10,000applesaday.

Thecompanyenvisionsthatthemachinecouldpickupto 90percentofthecropwithhumanspickingtheremainder.

TheVisionaryLeaders

Gad Kober, is Co-founder&VP/BusinessDevelopment ahighly-experiencedsenior-levelmanagementleaderin industryandservices.HeistheformerVP/Director-General attheWeizmannInstituteofScience;Directorof Innovation,CPLLC,UK;andCo-founderandCEOof severalstartupsinmedicalinstrumentation.

AviKahani,theCEOandCo-founderofFFRobotics,isa visionarywithyearsofexperienceinSales,Marketing,and teamleadership.HehasalsoworkedastheVPatMobixelle Networkspreviously.

Mr.Kahaniwasthemanagerofalargeappleorchardmany yearsago.Itwasthenthattheideaoccurredtohimthat mechanicalpickingoffruitwillresolvethreepressing issues:Pickinglaboravailability,risinglaborcostsand qualityofthefruitpicked.

Afterafewyears,equippedwithadegreeinMechanical Engineeringandglobalexperiencecoupledwith technologicaladvancements,hedecidedtoleavehis positionofVPsalesandmarketingatlargecorporationsand concentrateondevelopingaroboticfruitharvester.Aviwas joinedbyYoavKosterandGadKobertoenhancethe venture.

YoavKoster,theCTOofFFRoboticsisawell-known, experienced,andhighly-motivateddesignerofsuccessful roboticsystemsincivil(whichincludestheagriculturalas well)purposes.HeworkedasachiefengineeratSiemens inIsraelandwastheFounderandOwnerofEship-4you.

SustainingthroughObstacles

AccordingtoGadKober,VPofBusinessDevelopment, growingaclienteleisnotaneasytaskgiventherelatively conservativeapproachoffarmerstowardsnew technologies.Intheabsenceofasolidreferencepointinthe formofanend-to-endworkingsolution,thisbecamethe biggestobstacle forthefounders.Havingdemonstrated the viabilityoftheRoboticSolutioninseveralcountries-this obstaclehasbeenmetbyaspeciallytailoredprogram enablingearly-adoptorstoembracethecompany’ssolution forroboticfruitharvesting.

HarnessingtheDisruptiveTechnologies

“FFRobotics’s technology has been and continues to be developed with on-line collaboration with leading tree-fruit growers in the USA, Europe, and Israel, combining attention to the growers’needs, experience, know-how and

FFRobotics

advice, with the potential of applying current and newly developed Vision, AI, Algorithmics and Robotic software and hardware, leading to a product which will address the growers’needs very precisely”,reflectsAvi,theCEOonthe adoptionandfruitfulnessofnewtechnologies.

AwardsandAccolades

FFRoboticshasbeenrecognizedasamostpromising developerofroboticfruitharvestingsolutionsbybi-and multi-nationalR&Dfunds,andreceived,twice,an HonoraryMedalfromtheEUHorizon2020Program.

“

We fulll a life-long dream to automate fresh fruit harvesting “

Gad Kober Co-founder & VP/Business Development

- Avi Kahani, CEO & Co-founder

Fraternization of Technology and Agriculture Agriculture

th st

Inthesecondhalfofthe20 centuryandatthebeginningofthe21 century,atechnologicalrevolutioninfarmingledby advancesinsensingandroboticstechnologieslookssettodisrupttraditionalfarming.Thistechnologychangesforever thewayfarmerswork.Performanceofagricultureandmodernfarmstechnicsworkfardifferentlythanthoseafew decadesago,becauseofadvancementsintechnology,includingsensors,devices,machinesandinformationtechnology. Today’sagriculturepreferstouseadvancedtechnologiessuchasrobots,temperatureindicatorsandmoisturesensorsand GPStechnology.Theseadvancedtechnologiesandroboticsystemsallowbusinessestobemoreprofitable,effective,and secureandenvironmentallyfriendly.

BackgroundoftheAgricultureSector

Thefirsttwin-rotorsystemcombinewasintroducedintheyear1975.Thissystemallowedtocutcropandseparateinone sideoverthefield.In1994,awidelyknownscientistintroducedsatellite;ithelpedfarmerstousethistechnologytoseetheir farmsfromoverheadandallowingthemforbettertrackingandplanning.Year2000wasatechnologyrevolutionyear;when peoplegottoknowabouttheuseofmobilephone.Likelymanypeopleandfarmersstartedusingmobilephonewhichhelps themtomaintaincommunicationandontheotherhanditfacilitatedfarmerstoplaceordersforseeds,fertilizerandit providedinformationtowardsnewtechniques.Thedatarevolutionishelpingpeopletotaketherightdecision,andfarmers arenoexemption.Newmobileapplicationsareprovidinginformationaboutthevarietyoffertilizers,firmingprocessand otherresourceswhichhelpfarmerstogetknowledgeaboutfarming.2015wastheyearwhenmassesintroducedwiththe digitalplatformthatconveysinfoaboutdatacollection,agronomicmodelingandlocalweathermonitoring,whichgivesthe ideatofarmersabouttheirfields.Thesetoolsallowfarmerstoplanforhealthiercropsandmakefirmingstrategythatis beneficialfortheplanet.Thereforeinthecurrentyear,themajorbreakthroughhappenedinfarmingtechnologywhichbreaks theallprevioustechnicsoffarming.

SomeBreakthroughTechnologiesareUseofGlobalPositioningSystem

MainlyGPStechnologypinpointslocationthroughsatellites.Justlikepreviouslytractorsreplaceddrafthorseonthefarm, GPStechnologyalsoreplacedeyeballingandguessingprocessinthefarm.GPScangivefarmersvaluableinformationabout whichareasneedfertilizerandwhichdon't.Thisinformationcansavemoneyandensurethatonlytheareasthatneedto nutrientsaregettingit.GPSguideddronesareperformingtasksfromcropsprayingtolivestockmonitoringandcreating3D maps.

TheothertechnologyisSensortechnology; Sensortechnologyisbasicallymonitoringeverythinglikesoilwatercontent,temperature,humidityingrainsilosand informationaboutplanthealth.

AdvantagesofSmartPhone

Nowaday’sfarmersareusingadvantagesoftheinternetthroughtheirmobilephone.Forthepurposetocheckcurrent markerscenario,Firmingrelatedvideos,agriculturenews,newtechnologies,andinvention.Intheotherhand,theycaneasily findoutthoseapplicationswhicharespecificallydevelopedtohelpfarmers.Notonlythisbutalsosomemobileapplications allowthemtoasktheirquirestotheexpertsandgetanappropriateresponse.

HarvestingwithWIFI

Inthemodernagriculturesystem,technologyhelpingfarmer’stousetheelectronicsensordistributedprocesswhichhelps themtofindoutdifferentconditions;sometimesthegadgetssenddatatothefarmserveraboutthefarmcondition.Thisdata getsanalyzedautomatically.Theninstructiongetspassedontothefarmerwhichincludesanappropriatedoseoffertilizer, deliveringtherightamountofwaterandfindingtheholepunchedincroprows.Thesedata’sareeasilyaccessiblebythe farmerintabletorsmartphones,givingrealtimeinformation.Theseadvancedtechnologiescanalsomonitorsoilconditions

i.e.nitrogenlevelinthesoilandwhentoaddfertilizer.

RoboticFormationinAgriculture

Theself-drivingcarsoneofthelatestinnovationincar manufacturingindustryandimpactofthisinnovationcould alsobewitnessedinfarming.Robotsandself-driving tractorsarebecomingverycommoninfarming.Which helpingfarmertocutcostandtimebyautomatingtimeconsumingtasksdonebyhumans.

Therearefarmingrobotsforpickingstrawberriesand lettuce,harvestingorangesandpruninggrapevines,for mowinghayetc.Manyfarmersstillpreferusinghumandriventractorswhileothersareusinghighlycustomized andautomatedtractorsattachedtosensorsandrobots.That canperformhighlyspecifictasks,suchasdetectingwhere cowshavepeedandtreatedtheaffectedgrasstostimulate regrowth.Usually,theserobotsareguidedbyhighlyprecise GPStrackingthatallowsthemtonimblynavigatethrough thenarrowspacesbetweencroprows.

IndoorFarming

Accordingtoresearch,Verticalfarmingorindoorfarmingis gainingpopularitybecausethefarmsoptimizelandusein land-scarceanditcanoperateonminimalmanpower.This technichelpsgrowersoftoproduceyear-roundincluding specialtycropsregardlessofoutdoorweatherconditions. Butthisisnotaseasyasindoorfarmingsinceitisvery

challengingtoproduceanidealsunlightthatoptimizes growthincrampedindoorspaces.Full-spectrumfluorescent andenergy-intensivetechnologiesproviderequiredlightsin indoorfarmingwhichisveryexpensive.Butinnovationsof light-emittingdiodes(LEDs)inrecentyearshaveprovided acheaperandbetteralternative.

LEDhasalsoreducedthegrowingtimecomparetothe traditionallightingtechnologybecausefarmerscanuse differentconfigurationstomaximizethewavelengthsof lightcertainplantsprefer.HookingLEDstotimersallows indoorfarmerstomaximizetheratiooflighttodarkthat canspeedupthegrowingprocess.Forexample,certain combinationsofredandblueLEDscanreducetheamount oftimeittakestogrowaheadoflettuceindoorsbyupto 17days.

TheAgriculturesectoristheessentialsectorforany countries,asastableagriculturalsectorcanensurefood securityofanation.Itcangenerateemploymentandalso contributesoncountrieseconomicgrowth.Technologyisa magictouchinfarmingwhichcanhelpacountrytomakes drasticchangesinthisgrowingsector.Inthepast,farmers workedhardforfarmingseedsbutnowscientistand developersintroducednewtechnologywhichcanreduce farmerworkandmakethemsmartandcontributeto country’seconomicgrowth.

“Agriculture looks different today - our farmers are using GPS and you can monitor your irrigation systems over the Internet,”

– Debbie Stabenow

Revolutionizing the AgriTech Industry LEAF AGRICULTURE

FollowingisaninterviewbetweenInsights SuccessandG.BaileyStockdale,theCEOof LeafAgriculture,acompanywhichpartners withcompaniesaroundtheworldtofacilitate aggregated,standardized,andsecureAgriculturedata throughtheprecisionagricultureworkflow.

G.BaileyStockdalehasworkedinAgritechforover eightyearsasadeveloper,speaker,andinvestor.Having experiencedthefrustrationofdatainoperabilityfirsthandforyearshestartedLeaftoprovideaneasywayfor developerstoworkwithAgTechdata.

Throughthisinterview,Mr.Stockdalesharesvaluable insightsintotheAgriTechindustryandhowLeafcaters toitsrequirements.

Giveabriefoverviewofyourorganizationandthe servicesand/orsolutionsyouoffer.Enlightenuswith yourinceptionstoryandtheinspirationbehindit.

AgriTechcompaniesuseLeaf’sAPIproductstoaccess unifiedagriculturedataandservices.

Ourproductsarethedigitalinfrastructureforagriculture andworkinthebackgroundtoenableAgTech companiestoscaletheirproducts.

WestartedLeafafteryearsoffrustrationworkingwith agriculturedatafromawidevarietyofsources.Initially, wetriedtolaunchanappthatconnectedallfarmdata pointstogetherinasingledashboard.Theproblemwas, farmersdidn’twantanotherdashboard;theywanted fewerdashboards!Wequicklyunderstoodthisand realizedthatourenergywasbestdirectedtomakingsure

thattheircurrentdashboardsworksseamlesslywithall ofthedatatheirfarmgenerates.

So,wewentbackandbeganbuildingthetoolsevery AgriTechcompanyneedstomaketheirproducts compatiblewithfarmdatafromanysource.Today, Leaf’sproductspowerAgTechproductsaroundthe worldandalloweverytooltoinstantlybecompatible withfarmdatafromanyothersource.

HowdoyouthinkhastheAgriTechandaffiliated solutionsmarketevolvedandwhatcanbeexpectedin theforthcomingyears?

Overthepastfivetotenyears,themajorityoffarmers havebegunusingmultipletypesoffarmdatafroma wideselectionofcompanies,butthedatawasspread acrosshundredsofdifferentappsleadingtoconfusion, frustration,andlimitedvalue.

Thishasbeenchangingquicklyandtodaywehave companies,researchers,andfarmersbuildingmassive valuewiththisdatabycombiningitincentralized platforms,creatingagronomicrecommendation products,employingnewbusinessmodelslikeoutcomebasedpricing,offeringcreditprogramsbasedonfarm data,etc.

Finally,thetruevalueoffarmdataisbeingunlockedby companiesbuildingnewproductsontopofit.

Previously,thelimitingfactortobuildingthesetypesof productswasdatainteroperability.Anynewproduct builtontopofAgriculturedatawouldbelimitedonlyto otherfarmsusingtheexactsamedatacompanies.Leaf’s technologysolvesthisproblemandactsasthe

infrastructurethatAgriTechcompaniesusetoscaletheir products.We’vebeenfortunatetoseeandhelpmanyof theseprojectsthroughouttheirdevelopmentandare extremelyexcitedabouttheupcomingcompaniesand productsbeingbuilt.

Whatarethebenefitsgainedbyyourclients/users fromyourproducts/solutions/services?

SimpleandpowerfulAPIsarefoundationaltoany modernindustry.IfwelookatPlaidinFintechfor example,they’reprovidingbackendbankintegrations forcompanieslikeVenmo,Transferwise,Robinhood, etc.insteadofworryingaboutmakingtheirapps compatiblewithabiglistofbanksaroundtheworld, thesecompaniesusePlaidtoinstantlybecome compatiblewithallbankssotheycanfocusontheir product.

Leaf’sstoryandroleinAgriTechissimilartoPlaid’sin Finance.Wehavecompaniesbuildingvaluableproducts ontopofdatabutstruggletomakeitcompatibleacross machinebrands,weatherstations,orimageryproviders. SimilartohowPlaidhelpsFinTechcompaniesscale theirproductsacrossbanksinstantly,Leafhelps AgriTechcompaniesaccessdataandscaleproducts acrossallotherAgriTechcompanies.

Whatobstaclesand/orlimitationsdoesyouandyour companyfacewhilegrowing,sustainingorretaining itsclientele?

Ourcurrentfocusisinternationalexpansion.Whilewe alreadyhavecustomersinmostregionsoftheworld, we’redoublingdownonexpandingourpresenceoutside ofourinitialfocusontheAmericas.

G.BaileyStockdale CEO

ThebackboneoftheIndianeconomy,

theagriculturalsector,rankssecondin theglobalfarmoutput.InIndia,the word‘organicfood’hascreatedquiteabuzz. Thishasresultedinmorenumberoffarmers turningtogrowfoodwithouttheuseof chemicalsandpesticidesratherthanthe traditionalmethodoffarming.Organic farminghasnouniversallyaccepteddefinition. However,itcanbewidelyconsideredasthe specificproductionsystemthataimsin avoidingtheuseofharmfulandsynthetic fertilizers,pesticides,livestockfeedactivities andgrowthregulators.

Thereasonwhyonechoosestobeanorganic farmerdiffersfromonetoanother.Atfirst,this ideawouldbeoverwhelming;thepathtoitis differentforeveryone.Thisnewtrendin farmingisnowgainingprominenceamongst thecitydwellerstoo;whoareventuringinto thisfield.Whilethestartlineofthiscareer seemsallpromisingmanyarenotsureabout thefinishline.Belowaresomeoftheideas abouthowtogetthisfinishline.

PersonalCommitment

Oneofthemostimportantaspectsofbeinganorganic farmeristomakesurethatonemusthavethedriveto accomplishamilestoneinfarming.Farming,ingeneral,is atoughcareerpath;nevertheless,organicfarmingisa muchdifficultpathduetotheneedofgainingcertifications andtherulesthatneedtobefollowed.However,thereis nothingthatcannotbeachievedifonehasdedicationand willingnesstoencounteranythingthatcomesitsway.Tobe successfulinorganicfarmingonemustatfirstbeclear abouthisorherreasonbehind,‘whytheychoosethis career’.Secondly,theymustbewillingtoinvestsufficient timeandtheirresourceintoit.

HealthyBody

“The greatest wealth is health”! Peoplefromallwalksof lifemighthavecomeacrossavariantofthislegendary phrase.Speakingaboutafarmer,thisphraseismorethan justareference.Steppingfootintofarmingisdifferent fromhavingacorporatejob.Farmershavetospendlong hoursstanding,pulling,liftingandtheon-the-gomoving swiftlyandquicklyfromonetasktoanother. Thisone suchkindofprofessiononeisalwaysonthemove.Onone handwerefarmingtasksareextremelystrenuous,these tasksareoftendoneundervariousconditionslikeextreme heat,rain,coldwhichmightaddtothestress.Unlikea regular9hourjob,farmingdoesnothavetimelimit.Allin all,thereisnootheralternativethanbeinghealthyand stable.Havingahealthydietandmaintainbodywillhelp onetoinvestmoretimeintofarming.

ManagementSkills

Afarmnomatterhowbigorsmall,managingiteffortlessly iswhatmakesoneagoodfarmer. Farmingdoesnotend withjustgrowingcrops,thereareothertaskslike expandingfarm,findingnewemployees,gettingagood buyeroragent. Abilitytomanageallthesetaskswithout muchhassleistheattributeofagoodfarmer.

Beingcapableofmanagingtasksswiftlyalsoindicates beingorganised.Ifoneisunabletobalancetheircheck bookandlocatehealthinsurance,organicfarmingwill comeasmuchasachaotictask.Farmers,especiallythe organicfarmersshouldkeepalltherecordsaccuratelyand shouldupdatethemselveswithanyalteration.Beinga farmerfriendlynation,theIndiangovernmentfrequently announcesfarmerfriendlyprograms,offersfinancial

supportsandlotsmore.Inordertobeabeneficiaryofsuch programsandfollowingupononsuchpackagesneeds properhandlingofdocuments.

Managingskillsdoesnotendwithjusthandlingthepaper work.Afarmeralsoexperiencespressureatcertaintimes. Factorslikechangingclimate,stressfrombothorganicand conventionalsidesofagriculturalindustryandotherissues canbechallengingforfarmers.Keepingoneselfcomposed andcalmandtheabilitytosolveaproblemarealsothe traitsofmanagingskilfully.

ABusinessSavvyMind

Unliketraditionalfarmers,theroleofanorganicfarmer doesnotendwithjustgrowingcropsandcaringforother livestock. Anorganicfarmerneedstheshrewdnessofa businessman.Dealingwithbankandotherfinancialrelated matters,interactingwithbuyersandsellers,makingdeals withmarketers,promotions,budgeting,billstobetaken careoff,hiringemployees,managinga websiteandthelist goesonandon. Organicfarmingbasicallyispracticallike; growingcrops,cleaningandharvestingwhichconsumes mostofthetimewhilethependingtimeisspentrunning thebusinessendofit.

EagernesstoLearn

Beinganorganicfarmermeansexposingthemselvesto newideasandpossibilities.Acceptingandanalysingnew opportunitiesandwillingnesstolearnareimportanttobe inthisprofession.Learninggoesinmanyforms;thereare somefarmerswhogettheirtrainingfromexperienced farmerswhiletherearefewwhogotocolleges.Alongwith knowingthedrillsofconventionalfarming,organic farmersshouldalsoequipthemselveswithsome mechanicalknowledgelikerunningsomemachines,fixing thesemachinesetc.Eventhoughhavingmechanical knowledgeisnotnecessaryfororganicfarmers,learningto becomeamechanicalmindeddoesnoharm.

Unliketheearlierdayswhenmostfarmerslearnedthe tradebygrowingupinafarmer’sfamily,thefarmerstoday areunknowntotheconventionalways.Manyofthenew entrantshavejoinedthiscareerpathforitsuniquefeature andtheincreasingdemand. Themoderndayfarmershave muchmorequalificationsundertheirbelt.Standingonthe cuspofanewera,organicfarmingissettomakenew levels.Theabovementionedpointswillhelpthebudding farmerstostayfocusedandachievetheirgoals.