What is Agri-Food Technology?
- What is agri-food tech?
- Important terms within the agri-food technology
- The role of agri-food tech in the food and agriculture system
- Agri-food tech as the best solution to improve the agri-food industry
- Categories of agri-food technology startups
- #1 Biomaterials and bioenergy startups
- #2 Agricultural biotechnology startups
- #3 Developing agribusiness marketplaces startups
- #4 Farm management software and IoT startups
- #5 Farm robotics and equipment startups
- #6 Online grocery startups
- #7 Midstream technologies startups
- #8 Innovative foods technology startups
- #9 Home cooking technologies startups
- #10 New farming systems startups
- #11 Developing online restaurants and marketplace startups
- #12 Livestock technology startups
- #13 Sustainable agriculture startups
- #14 Precision farming startups
- Coreteka’s experience in agri-food solutions
- FAQ on agri-food tech
- Conclusion
Conventional food production now faces numerous challenges from a range of social, demographic, and environmental factors, which put extra demands on the whole agricultural sector. To address the rising needs and bring the food production processes to a new level, investors and entrepreneurs seek innovative approaches. Therefore, the industry is rich in emerging startups that aim to produce food with greater efficiency and sustainability.
The massive array of new technologies aiming to mitigate the arising issues shaped the unique field — agri-food tech. It fuses agriculture and advanced technology, reinventing the methods of cultivating, processing, and consuming food.
This article explores the essence of agri-food tech, its role and benefits for the industry, and the most impactful categories of agri-food startups.
What is agri-food tech?
Climate change, limited natural resources, together with the rising global population, and altering dietary demands trigger new challenges to the agricultural sector. Agri-food tech implies technology-backed methods to solve emerging issues and disrupt the global food and agriculture industry. The importance of technologically advanced food production is continually rising since the above-mentioned concerns keep reinforcing every year.
Agri-food tech is thriving, penetrating numerous areas of the agricultural sector. It encompasses innovations such as precision farming, IoT applications, data analytics, AI, robotics, sustainable practices, and advanced supply chain solutions. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, agri-food tech focuses on optimizing efficiency, improving yields, ensuring sustainability, and meeting the growing global demand for food. As a result, the entire agricultural landscape is becoming increasingly interconnected and data-driven.
Important terms within the agri-food technology
Agri-food tech is an innovation, which means it is much more profound than food and agtech individually, affecting the entire food supply chain ecosystem. But let’s keep things clear.
Food tech or food science technology is a specialized sector for the technological advancement of such essential processes as producing, delivering, and enjoying food. Foodtech covers functional foods, medical foods, and nutraceuticals necessary for consumers’ health and well-being.
Agtech or agritech is a set of advanced scientific techniques utilized to refine the quality of products, protect crops from diseases and pests, and boost farming efficiency. Agritech implies using technology innovations like drones, appropriate data analysis & processing apps, field sensors, and more. Moreover, agtech covers classical, marker-assisted, and new breeding technologies. Digitalization has led to an evolution in agriculture operations.
The role of agri-food tech in the food and agriculture system
As far as the agri-food sector directly affects such essentials as the amount of food on the planet, the percentage of carbon emissions, and the success of supply chain processes, digitalization and keeping up with innovations are paramount for the industry to meet the constantly increasing demands.
Currently, the growing worldwide population, climate change, limited land & water resources, exacerbation of chronic diseases, severe problems with consumers’ health, an immense amount of food waste, and other pressures make agri-food tech not a choice but a necessity to fight issues of the agri-food industry.
Moreover, although individual entrepreneurs and businesses are used to dividing food and agriculture and perceiving food and agritech separately, the correct utilization of agri-foodtech is the optimal solution to improve the food and agriculture system as a whole and create a more sustainable future. We described examples of sustainability in business in our blog post.
Agri-food tech as the best solution to improve the agri-food industry
Modern consumers don’t want to buy a pig in a poke, and therefore they need complete information on the products they choose. Thus, the increased awareness requires details on the supply chain milestones to ensure the quality and freshness of products from the farm to the fork.
Agri-food technology aims to improve the entire food and agriculture sector by providing better transparency and establishing clear communication with consumers. The agri-food tech also helps enhance crop raising and harvesting, fine-tune food and non-food processing, regulate food safety and quality, improve product logistics, warehousing & retail, positively affect the food service, and even more.
Additionally, agricultural technology provides a more agile and sustainable way of managing sophisticated agri-food industry processes and offers several benefits to businesses, consumers, and the environment.
Categories of agri-food technology startups
The agrifood technology attracts a diversity of startups intending to make an impact and impress their customers. The power and innovation of agrifood tech allow companies to come up with premier products, services & solutions that enhance the industry of agri-food.
#1 Biomaterials and bioenergy startups
The agri-foodtech startups related to the niche of bioenergy and biomaterials encompass agricultural products for non-food extraction and processing, cannabis pharmaceuticals, and feedstock. Such startups usually have specialized facilities for product manufacturing and processing, and therefore bioenergy and biomaterials companies are capital-intensive businesses.
#2 Agricultural biotechnology startups
Agri-food technology startups from the agricultural biotechnology category represent a considerable sector specializing in seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural products. Modern companies strive for sustainability and aim to find and embrace new, advanced capabilities to upgrade gene editing & plant breeding, move forward in microbiome research, and more.
#3 Developing agribusiness marketplaces startups
The thing is that personal meetings and email or phone conversations represent a common way of buying and selling agricultural products. However, such a trade limits suppliers and farmers and the prices they can establish.
The agricultural technology startups related to the niche of agribusiness marketplaces aspire to change this tendency and provide farmers and suppliers with advanced opportunities for selling various agri goods. The companies create top-notch solutions that help retailers & farmers expand their client base through buying and selling their products online.
#4 Farm management software and IoT startups
As solid agricultural manufacturing requires professional equipment and tools, agrifood tech companies specializing in developing premier farm management software and solutions for sensing and IoT are in high demand. These startups provide ample opportunities for the agri-food sector, allowing enterprises to get better data insights and improve decision-making.
#5 Farm robotics and equipment startups
This category of agri-foodtech startups includes companies that produce innovative on-farm machinery and enhance farmers’ workflow by automating multiple processes with the help of system automation and AI. Farm robotics, mechanization, and specialized equipment companies are game-changing for the entire industry of farming. Learn more about business process automation examples for the growth of your business on our blog.
#6 Online grocery startups
Agri-food technology startups in the e-grocery niche do their best to simplify grocery shopping and provide consumers from all over the world with an extended assortment of goods to purchase.
Online farmers’ markets with fresh produce, and branded foods, online stores selling unprocessed and processed products directly to the consumers, and e-shops offering food and beverage represent this category of agricultural technology companies.
#7 Midstream technologies startups
The steadily growing consumer awareness and the demand for complete supply chain traceability require innovative solutions for advanced food tracking to access the details on product origin, manufacturing and processing essentials, storage conditions, transportation and distribution, etc.
Thus, agri-foodtech companies from the agri-food sector of midstream technologies develop particular software for logistics tracking, product shelf life examination, food processing & testing, and more.
#8 Innovative foods technology startups
The category of innovative foods encompasses startups that develop progressive solutions for serving consumers with desired products rich in protein. These agri-food technology companies understand the meat industry’s impact and seek alternative ways of producing protein-rich goods.
They offer new ingredients and valuable supplements to boost nutrition, providing cultured fish & meat, protein bars, and even special burgers made from vegetable raw materials.
#9 Home cooking technologies startups
Modern consumers want complete control over their everyday living, so they require fully traceable foods and profound solutions for cooking dishes at home. Check our blog post to learn more about traceability trends in the supply chain for vegetables and fruits. Therefore, agri-food tech startups related to home & cooking technology provide smart appliances for home cooking and develop innovative technologies for seamless baking, food testing, and balanced nutrition.
#10 New farming systems startups
The depletion of natural resources is a severe problem of our reality, and therefore we need innovation to advance the food production industry without harming nature.
The new farming systems category of agrifood tech companies includes startups that suggest alternative and more sustainable ways of producing foods and ingredients. Thus, some resource-consuming ingredients can be replaced with algae, while fresh produce can be grown in well-equipped indoor farms like greenhouses.
#11 Developing online restaurants and marketplace startups
Restaurants with broad food delivery options, online restaurants with a special menu that perfectly suits customers’ needs, and revolutionary restaurant marketplaces selling food from diverse suppliers create another category of agri-food technology startups.
Such companies provide consumers precisely with what they want, offering ready-to-eat meals suitable for a particular diet or lifestyle and serving a tremendous variety of meal kits with the finest ingredients to enjoy fast cooking at home.
#12 Livestock technology startups
Livestock technology startups leverage innovative solutions, such as precision livestock farming and health monitoring, to enhance animal well-being, optimize production efficiency, and improve overall farm management. Technologies include wearables, sensors, and automated systems to monitor and manage livestock health, nutrition, and environmental conditions. Ultimately, such startups aim to address sustainability challenges, improve animal welfare, and increase farm profitability.
#13 Sustainable agriculture startups
Sustainable agriculture startups prioritize environmentally friendly and socially responsible approaches to farming. These companies focus on technologies that enable environmentally friendly and resource-efficient farming practices. They implement sustainable and regenerative processes, organic methods, and agroecological technologies to maximize crop production while reducing environmental impact. Therefore, such startups promote long-term ecological balance, help to preserve biodiversity, and integrate resilient food production systems.
#14 Precision farming startups
Precision farming startups use data-driven approaches to elevate efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in farming. By employing breakthrough technologies like GPS, drones, UAVs for crop monitoring, and soil and moisture sensors, they seek to optimize agricultural processes. Precision farming solutions allow for collecting and analyzing real-time data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions on crop management, resource allocation, and irrigation. As a result, they raise efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall agricultural productivity. Make sure to look through our guide to e-agriculture and precision farming.
Coreteka’s experience in agri-food solutions
Agricultural tech is one of the core areas where Coreteka has the strongest domain expertise. We focus on high-end technologies to implement digitalization in agri-food. Our experience encompasses the following categories of agriculture and food supply chain solutions:
- Field scouting applications. Tools and mobile applications designed to assist farmers in observing, monitoring, and assessing crops and fields. The fundamental features of such tools include crop monitoring, pest and disease identification, GPS mapping, data collection, and more.
- GIS-based information analytics. The integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze and interpret spatial data in agriculture and food production. GIS technology collects, analyzes, and visualizes geographic information, enabling users to make informed decisions based on location-specific data.
- Image recognition and processing. These technologies utilize computer vision algorithms and artificial intelligence to extract and interpret information from images, providing precious insights for various agricultural applications.
- Mobile apps for distribution companies. These apps aim to optimize logistics, amplify supply chain visibility, and elevate overall efficiency. The core functionality allows for streamlining order management, tracking inventory, and improving communication between stakeholders in the distribution process.
FAQ on agri-food tech
Agriculture employs a range of breakthrough techs, including precision farming with GPS, drones, and sensors for optimized resource use; biotechnology for genetically modified crops; robotics for planting and harvesting; and data analytics for crop health monitoring. Smart irrigation systems, IoT devices, and farm management software also contribute to agricultural efficiency. The implementation of these technologies facilitates sustainable practices, greater crops, and improved overall productivity.
AI in agriculture enables predictive analytics that helps increase crop production, detect diseases, and improve resource allocation. AI-powered systems analyze data from sensors, drones, and satellites, delivering farmers insights for precision farming. Apart from enhancing efficiency, AI reduces environmental impact and facilitates sustainable agricultural decision-making.
The new farming methods primarily aim to address challenges in modern agriculture through technology and sustainable practices. Such approaches include the implementation of biotechnology, farm management software, robotics, supply chain solutions, precision farming, livestock technology, sustainable agricultural practices, and more. These methods allow farmers to improve productivity, reduce environmental impact, and attain higher resilience in their practices.
Several countries can boast the highest use of agricultural technology. China heavily invests in organic/vertical farming and precision agriculture. Brazil is often referred to as a powerhouse in agriculture. The country encourages sustainable agriculture practices and actively contributes to global food production, especially of soybeans, beef, and poultry. The U.S. food production sector extensively employs precision farming techniques, GPS-guided machinery, drones, and advanced crop monitoring systems.
Conclusion
Climate change, poor quality & insecurity of food, growth of population, and plenty of other factors make consumers, businesses, and investors worldwide feel discouraged and seek innovation to resolve the emerging problems. The agri-foodtech brings that aspired innovation to the mass allowing us to take advantage of the food and agriculture industry as a single unit and improve the agri-food sector.
A range of startups promotes their ideas of wise food consumption, farming processes automatization, intelligent crop cultivation & harvesting, alternative concepts of balanced nutrition, and more. Such initiatives related to agri-food technology aim to make the industry of agri-food far more efficient and in demand and, at the same time, take care of the environment.
Coreteka is a responsible agri-food technology company delivering high-end software for your agri-food needs. We always strive for your business success and guarantee the best quality and reliability of the provided solutions.
If you want to enhance your agriculture business with innovative agricultural technology, contact us!
