Editor’s note: Agtech Seedlings is a weekly roundup of the latest in agriculture technology news, digging into venture funding, product announcements and other innovation milestones. Have news to share? Email us here.
Agrovision acquires Chile cherry grower
Technology-driven berry startup Agrovision is diving into cherry production with its recent acquisition of Chilean grower and exporter ZurGroup.
As part of the deal, the Los Angeles-based company has immediate access to packing and processing facilities in Chile, plus new land for planting. Agrovision will plant its proprietary cherry varieties across 500 hectares of orchards in the region, according to a release.
The agreement also gives Agrovision 250 hectares of blueberries, which complements the company’s well-known jumbo blueberries sold under the brand Fruitist. In China, the company markets its product through the brand Big Skye.
The deal came to fruition shortly after Agrovision secured a $400 million line of credit to support the firm’s expansion into new markets and categories, as well as fuel product development and build on its genetics partnerships, robotics and AI-powered initiatives.
“We’re deepening Agrovision’s roots in Chile and bringing premium cherries to consumers worldwide,” Steve Magami, co-founder and CEO of Agrovision, said in a statement. “Chile’s position as one of the world’s leading premium cherry producers, combined with our commitment to deliver quality through proprietary and advanced technology, allows us to meet the demand for exceptional superfruits that our customers love and trust.”
Agco opens technician training center in Illinois
Farm equipment giant Agco Corp. is opening a training center at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, with the goal of preparing the next generation of agricultural technicians to be proficient with digital technology and other new tools.
The new 22,000-square-foot facility is home to the school’s Agco Agriculture Service Technician Associate in Applied Science degree program, an accredited apprenticeship that combines classroom learning with on-the-job training. The program, made possible by a $5 million donation from Agco, provides instruction specific to the company’s machinery and precision ag technologies.
“Today’s equipment and precision ag technologies require highly skilled technicians to keep our farmers farming,” Eric Hansotia, Agco’s chairman, president and CEO said in a statement. “This facility demonstrates AGCO’s commitment to future technicians, farmers and dealers, ensuring reliable operations and successful farming across the region.”
The training center is part of Agco’s largest FarmerCore initiative to create a customer-centric dealership network that gives farmers expanded access to service and support from technicians.
In recent years, Agco has worked to understand farmer pain points through its Farmer First strategy that aims to make it easier for producers to do business with the tractor maker.
Air filter manufacturer invests in indoor farming startup AgEye
Mann+Hummel, one of the world’s largest air filter manufacturers, has made a strategic investment in North Carolina-based startup AgEye in an effort to advance technologies and services for indoor farming.
The collaboration aims to tackle key challenges in controlled environment agriculture by combining Mann+Hummel’s expertise in filtration and disinfection with AgEye’s automation and crop analytics capabilities, according to a release. AgEye is a producer of automation and farm management software that allows large-scale indoor farming companies to gain insights to optimize crop production.
The companies are looking to improve the air and water quality of indoor farming systems and reduce pathogens to improve productivity.
“AGEYE’s technology represents the next frontier in agriculture, and we are excited to contribute our filtration expertise to enable more responsible and efficient farming practices,” Charles Vaillant, Mann+Hummel’s chief technology officer and chief digital officer said in a statement.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.