In this issue of Global Signals we see what the future of carbon-removal could look like using volcanic rock dust, look at the latest advancements in genetic modification (including tropical flavoured yeast!), and explore the sensor technology inspired by the touch-qualities of the human hand.
We’ve designed this newsletter to deliver interesting signals to your inbox that we believe may influence agritech in New Zealand and beyond.
Lithos Carbon is a startup focused on carbon removal from the atmosphere to combat climate change. Simply applying basalt (the most abundant volcanic rock on earth and loaded with essential plant nutrients like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium) to a field provides a steady nutrient flow to your field as it decomposes and sequesters carbon.
And what's more, the company provides basalt to farmers for free and finances projects by selling carbon credits to tech companies.
Lithos Carbon aims to sequester 10,000 metric tons this year, offering a cost-effective solution that regenerates and de-acidifies soils, with crop yields increasing by as much as 47%.
This concept and the business model are not standard although they don’t appear without issues. Are there going to be more innovations like this with minimal cost to farmers but significant upside to aid the environment?
Researchers at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, have developed a breakthrough artificial sensory system that can detect micro textures such as twill, corduroy, and wool.
The system uses a flexible slip sensor with human-like tactile abilities, enabling it to detect tiny textures with remarkable resolution. Unlike previous methods, this single sensor achieves both ultrahigh sensitivity and a fast response for static pressure and vibration detection.
The sensor, replicating human fingerprint characteristics, integrates machine learning for real-time feedback has been used on a human hand. With applications in robotics, prosthetics, virtual reality, and consumer electronics, the sensor demonstrated an impressive 98.6% accuracy in classifying 20 different textiles.
Could this technology significantly enhance the fine tactile sense skills of robots that will be required for delicate picking operations in agriculture?
The UK has approved a groundbreaking gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 to treat sickle-cell disease and β-thalassaemia.
Clinical trials showed promising results, relieving pain in sickle-cell patients and reducing the need for blood transfusions.
While the treatment process involves extracting, editing, and reintroducing stem cells, safety concerns persist. Global approval is underway and the approval signifies a landmark for CRISPR-based therapies, offering potential for future genetic disease cures.
Does this breakthrough pave the way for widespread usage of CRISPR gene editing in agriculture? If CRISPR is good enough for medicine, is it good enough for food production?
Berkeley Yeast, a US company, is utilising genetically-modified (GM) yeast to enhance the flavours of beer. By editing the DNA of yeast strains, the company can remove or add specific genes, creating products like Tropics yeast, which imparts the taste of passion fruit and guava.
Berkeley Yeast argues that bioengineered yeast provides more consistency for beer manufacturers and reduces reliance on additional ingredients.
While the use of GM yeast is gaining traction in the US, where craft breweries are already employing such products, international adoption faces regulatory challenges. Some brewers are conducting trials but acknowledge consumer concerns about genetically modified organisms.
In contrast, a major global beer company maintains a no-GM policy, relying on traditional breeding methods to develop brewing ingredients. The debate over GM beers appears just as divisive as in other sectors, with proponents emphasising flavour innovation and sceptics expressing reservations about the technology's impact on consumer perception.
The conversation around GM is gaining velocity, will beer bring the sceptics along?
PulpaTronics, a London-based startup, is developing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional passive RFID tags.
These tags, widely used for tracking various objects, contribute significantly to e-waste due to the presence of microchips and metal antennas.
PulpaTronics' solution involves creating fully recyclable paper RFID tags without microchips and metal. Instead, they use a laser to inscribe a conductive circuit directly onto paper, eliminating the environmental impact associated with traditional RFID tags.
The paper-based innovation has shown promising results in readings at Imperial College London, and the startup is currently in talks with retailers for real-world testing.
Animal LF RFID creates a large e-waste footprint, could this help remove that?
I’m a big fan of Andrew Ng, I first came across him on a free Coursera online course: AI For Everyone. I highly recommend that, but the real recommendation here is a recent video he made at Stanford Graduate School of Business - Opportunities in AI.
It helps to demystify Supervised learning and the Generative AI wave but also points out some opportunities and predictions.
We’re seeing AI being used increasingly in all sectors including Agritech now, there is a lot of change happening although perhaps not as fast as we’d like.
There’s a lot of opportunity and some of our big issues and problems can be solved using these tools. There is hope in AI with no code and low code tools.
He covers a lot here in a short time, from bias, to risks, to employment. It’s 36 minutes well spent.
What long term defensible business models might we see using AI in the Agritech space?
We’d love to hear your feedback so we can continue to share relevant monthly reads with you.
Don’t forget to share with us any signals or interesting innovations you’ve come across so we can spread the word. We enjoy seeing NZ companies be creative, innovative and push the boundaries, it makes for insightful reading.
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