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This week, Jenn explored how AI, self-driving labs, and CDMOs are compressing agrifood R&D timelines, while Elaine dug into DJI’s appeal against the FCC in a high-stakes case for the US ag spray drone market.

Elsewhere, Latam sugar giant Magdalena unveiled plans for a 650,000-L precision fermentation facility in Guatemala as it shifts capital toward industrial biology.

• Asset-light aquaculture: Atarraya pilots high-tech shrimp farming in UAE
• Postbiotic protein: Döhler scales Superbrewed’s novel protein
• Whey 2.0: Verley raises $38m to scale precision-fermented BLG

And finally… "Everywhere I look in agriculture and food, innovation feels stuck," writes guest contributor Christine Gould. "This isn’t because of bad luck or bad solutions. It’s a structural problem..."

Have a fantastic week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine.

​How AI, automated labs and CDMOs are replacing agrifood’s R&D playbook​

Developments that historically took years can now be compressed into a few months. Jennifer Marston

​DJI appeal sets stage for legal showdown over future of US ag spray drone market​

The FCC ruling—which has upended a sector dominated by overseas vendors—is “procedurally and substantively flawed,” argues DJI. Elaine Watson

​Guest article: How to stop playing the old ag innovation game​

While other sectors build for uncertainty, ag keeps betting the old model will hold, and innovators pay the price. By guest contributor Christine Gould

​Precision fermentation startup Verley raises $38m Series A as BLG unlocks new segment of protein market​

BLG via precision fermentation allows brands to pack more protein into products without the trade-offs of conventional whey. Elaine Watson

​Magdalena plans 650,000-L precision fermentation facility in Guatemala​

The Latam sugar giant is "reallocating capital, talent, and governance toward industrial biology," says biochem unit director Andrés Rodas. Elaine Watson

​China's ZhongGu Junchuang expands reach with new mycelium hub​

The hub—backed by $22m in government support—will have 20x the production capacity of the firm’s site in Inner Mongolia. Elaine Watson

​Atarraya to bring high-tech shrimp farming to UAE, evolves business model​

Atarraya is now driving an asset-light approach, scaling through partnerships with “master franchisors." Elaine Watson

​Döhler brings Superbrewed’s postbiotic protein into commercial production​

The novel ingredient has "crossed into industrial production through a partner-led, capital-efficient model," says CEO Dr. Bryan Tracy. Elaine Watson

​AgriFood Signals: Pepper raises $50m, Mars’ new impact fund, Syngenta IPO hints​

Plus: Bayer launches seed brand for low-carbon intensity crops. Jennifer Marston

​AI in India: The world’s ‘AI back office’ is betting on small language models to bring big impact to smallholder farming​

The global AI landscape has a new “big three” in 2026, with India trailing only the US and China. Jennifer Marston and Louisa Burwood-Taylor

​US receiver to liquidate Believer Meats’ factory and assets as Israeli trustee ringfences IP​

Creditors Gray Construction and Ameris Bank have positioned themselves to be first in line as Believer's US assets are sold. Elaine Watson

​India will see IPOs in agritech before America or Europe, says Omnivore’s Mark Kahn​

"Even though India is a smallholder ecosystem, it's one of the largest agricultural economies in the world," says Kahn. Elaine Watson

​Cultivated meat outlook: 10 leading CEOs lay out their plans for 2026​

Green Queen

​FMC and the two-engine dilemma. when the present devours the future ​

LinkedIn

​Autopsy of the agrifood–climate tech collapse​

Substack

​The beef industry has a message for consumers: get used to high prices ​

The Wall Street Journal

​A new recipe for GRAS? FDA’s proposed mandatory GRAS notification rule, BHA RFI and Congressional reform bills​

Akin

​Google.org impact challenge: AI for science​

Google

​Hershey deploys AI decision-making to solve supply chain disruptions before they happen​

FoodNavigator-USA

​Food makers warn GLP-1s will have ‘lasting influence’ on sector​

Food Dive

​​​2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report​

​​2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report

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​Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers​

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