Aleph Farms’ Post

Despite both focusing on #sustainability, the #alternativeprotein and #regenerativeagriculture sectors haven't always seen eye-to-eye. What has caused this friction? And how can they put aside their differences and work together for a more sustainable food system? We spoke to Ellie Walden of the The Good Food Institute for the alt protein perspective, and EARA | European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture's Simon Kraemer for the perspective of regenerative agriculture. https://lnkd.in/ewM7ANeG

Unlocking Nature’s Defense: A Deep Dive into Bacterial and Fungal-Based Biopesticides for Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainable agriculture stands at the crossroads of increasing agricultural productivity and preserving the ecological balance. Traditional chemical pesticides pose significant risks to the environment, human health, and biodiversity. In this context, bacterial and fungal-based biopesticides emerge as a promising alternative for sustainable pest management. This comprehensive exploration delves into the economic and ecological aspects of these biopesticides, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize modern agriculture. https://lnkd.in/dqx5dc3e

No surprises here but keep your eyes up about regen claims from big brands. A recent report reveals that multinational food and ag companies like Cargill, Bayer, and Unilever are using the term "regenerative agriculture" without significant changes in their practices. The report, released by the New Climate Institute, analyzed 30 major agriculture companies. While 80% heavily reference regenerative agriculture in their strategies, only one-third have targets, with many lacking specifics on implementation or applying them to small subsets of operations. Find out more about the findings: https://lnkd.in/g6dQ6iCg

Thrilled to be able to announce a research initiative called CropSustaiN that Novo Nordisk Foundation is launching in collaboration with the non-profit applied agricultural research organization International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), based in Mexico. With 21.1M USD, CropSustaiN aims to validate & enhance the impact potential of novel wheat lines that are significantly better at using nitrogen through integration of Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capability. This nature-based solution addresses nitrogen pollution and inefficient fertiliser use in agriculture, which significantly contribute to GHG emissions and ecological degradation. A Mission Director will be responsible for the initiative’s project portfolio, with a mission focus and a mandate to operate with agility. The initiative relies on building partnerships & knowledge-sharing across a broad network of global stakeholders, aiming at de-risking & verifying the technology to be poised for scaling. CIMMYT and NNF are committed to equitable global access to the initiative's benefits, including the dissemination of seeds as international public goods. Congratulations CIMMYT and a big thank you to the project team, advisors, and all partners involved thus far, especially Victor Kommerell, Bram Govaerts, Carolina Saint Pierre, Janet Lewis, Kevin Pixley, Sieglinde Snapp, Sarah Hearne, Guntur Subbarao, Claus Felby, Anastassia Khrouchtchova, Drishya Nair, Thomas de Bang, and Mikkel Bülow Skovborg. #Missions #Innovation #Genetics #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateChangeMitigation #GlobalAccess #Partnerships #Collaboration #NatureBasedSolutions

I am pleased to have helped enable the publication of this op-ed by Didier Toubia, CEO and Co-Founder of Aleph Farms. The article explores how combining smallholder farming and new methods of protein production can help optimize East Africa’s protein ecosystem. “In the face of climate change, resource scarcity and rising populations, nations in East Africa and across the Global South have an opportunity to do what the Global North did not. By leapfrogging intensive agriculture, they can meet their populations’ demand for high-quality nutrition with sound and environmentally sustainable sources of protein.” Read the full piece in World Economic Forum.

The rising influence of Microbials in the Agricultural Market Microbials are rapidly becoming a cornerstone in modern agriculture as farmers increasingly shift toward sustainable farming practices. These beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, enhance soil health, boost plant growth, and improve crop yields while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As environmental concerns grow and regulatory pressures increase, microbials offer a natural solution that supports regenerative agriculture, making them essential for the future of farming. The global agricultural microbial market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased demand for organic food, sustainable crop production, and eco-friendly farming solutions. Microbials play a crucial role in improving soil structure, nutrient cycling, and plant disease resistance. For example, nitrogen-fixing bacteria reduce the dependency on synthetic fertilizers by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can absorb, leading to healthier crops with a lower environmental footprint. Key players in the agricultural sector are investing heavily in microbial research and development to innovate new products and technologies. Microbial-based bio-stimulants, biopesticides, and biofertilizers are emerging as alternatives to traditional agricultural inputs, offering farmers sustainable tools to enhance productivity and soil health. Looking ahead, the microbial market is poised to expand further as farmers and agricultural companies alike recognize the long-term benefits of incorporating microbials into their farming practices. This shift aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. As the agricultural world continues to evolve, microbials will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping the future of food production. #Microbials #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #BioStimulants #AgTech #EcoFriendlyFarming #SoilHealth #CropGrowth

🌱 Exciting announcement - We are joining forces with Bayer | Crop Science to drive regenerative practices in agriculture across Europe 🌱 We're delighted that Bayer will be using Sandy, our natural capital navigation software, to measure and monitor farm level carbon as part of their European Carbon Initiative. This encompasses multiple tailored projects with large companies from the food supply and agricultural value chain across several European countries, all aimed at emissions reduction and carbon sequestration. Read our latest blog to learn why Bayer has chosen Sandy's state-of-the-art platform to help ensure reliable monitoring, reporting and verification of the initiative's on-farm results. 👇 https://lnkd.in/e5R_jGDB #Regenerative #NaturalCapital #Sustainability #CarbonAccounting #CarbonReporting

🌱 AgTech Digest® Weekly Highlights 🌾 🌿 Revolutionizing Plant Proteins and Crop Protection Peas to the Rescue: Discover how GreenVenus and Plant Research (NZ) LTD are changing the game with field peas for improved nutrition and climate resilience. Herbicide Innovation Leap: AgPlenus and Corteva Agriscience unveil APCO-12, setting new sustainability standards in weed control. 🔬 Unlocking the Potential of Microbial Nitrogen Learn about the University of Kentucky's study on Pivot Bio PROVEN® 40's role in enhancing corn yields through microbial nitrogen. 📊 Biome Makers' Soil Health Breakthrough Biome Makers Inc. surpasses 24M microorganisms in their soil database, offering insights that support farmers and agribusinesses worldwide. 🌐 Advancing Digital and Sustainable Farming CNH Industrial and Telecom Argentina team up to boost rural connectivity, covering 500,000 hectares of farmland with improved digital services. Bayer | Crop Science commits to launching 10 innovation blockbusters by 2030, focusing on sustainable farming and ecological responsibility. 💡 Cibus Capital Fuels the Future With $645 million raised, Cibus Capital LLP is poised to drive innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector. 🛡️ Emerging Technologies in Crop Management and Protection TS201 by NewLeaf Symbiotics, Inc.: A groundbreaking biocontrol technology against Corn Rootworm. BASIN® by Vestaron Corporation: EPA approves this sustainable, peptide-based insecticide for effective pest management. 🚀 Predictive Ag Report 2024 by Pattern Ag Utilizing DNA data, Pattern Ag offers predictions on pest and pathogen threats, providing farmers with valuable insights for informed decision-making. Read more here -> https://lnkd.in/eys-ksf2 #AgTech #SustainableAgriculture #Innovation #PlantProteins #CropProtection #DigitalFarming

Good resources indicating that regenerative soil practices can impact the nutrient density of our food, compiled by Arlene Barclay @ Climate Farmers Preliminary studies with small sample groups concluded that crops produced through regenerative practices had an 11-34% higher nutritional composition, and on average contained more magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, vitamins B1, B12, C, E , K, and phytochemicals. The analysis of meat products followed. Beef and pork from regenerative farms contained more omega-3s and α-linolenic acid. In general, crops had more anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds. Degenerative practices like chemical interventions kill microbiological life in the soil. Over the long term, not only it will grow less nutritious food -- it might not grow food at all. Healthy and diverse microbian mass = healthy soil = better-fed crops = better-fed people. (At FARFARM we have been carefully tracking soil microbial mass through DNA extraction [+ enzymes + organic matter]. We are hoping this methodology will give us more precise and reliable results for biodiversity measuring, that combined with other chemical, biological and physical analysis will paint a hollistic soil portrait and evolution through time. Message me if you have specific experience about this, would love to exchange experiences.) I hope to see more about the relationship between soil and nutrition to add to the endless list of the advantages of regenerative farming.

Imagine a world where plants grow in the dark! Bioengineers have created a method called electro-agriculture, which is even more efficient than photosynthesis and could change farming forever. Think sustainable crops, fewer land requirements, and even food production in space! Curious how this breakthrough could reshape sustainability and the future of agriculture? https://lnkd.in/ePh5nRhQ #sustainability #agriculture #foodtech #agtech