Futuristic farm with drones and AI interfaces

Agri-Tech Boom: How Science and Investment are Shaping Tomorrow's Farms

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Lena Kashyap in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"From AI-powered poultry management to sustainable chemical alternatives, explore the cutting-edge innovations revolutionizing agriculture."


The agriculture industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, driven by increasing demand for sustainable and efficient farming practices. Innovative solutions are emerging to address challenges ranging from resource management to optimizing crop yields and animal welfare. These advancements are fueled by strategic investments and groundbreaking research across multiple scientific disciplines.

This article examines several key developments that highlight this transformation, from the integration of AI in livestock management to the development of bio-based chemical alternatives and the creation of specialized agricultural technology hubs. By exploring these advancements, we gain insight into how science and investment are shaping the future of agriculture.

We will delve into specific examples such as Evonik's expansion into precision livestock farming, the rise of bio-based chemical companies, and the establishment of agrotech hubs designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Understanding these trends is crucial for anyone interested in the future of food production and the role of technology in creating a more sustainable agricultural system.

Precision Poultry: AI Optimizes Animal Nutrition with Evonik

Futuristic farm with drones and AI interfaces

Evonik Industries, traditionally known for its chemical expertise, is strategically expanding its presence in the agricultural sector through technology-driven acquisitions. Their recent acquisition of Porphyrio, a spin-off from KU Leuven, signals a significant move towards precision livestock farming. Porphyrio specializes in providing advanced software solutions that optimize nutrition for poultry producers, enhancing both animal welfare and production efficiency.

This acquisition complements Evonik's earlier investments in Optifarm, a British firm specializing in monitoring equipment for poultry farms, and In Ovo, a Dutch company focused on in-ovo sexing technology. These strategic moves demonstrate Evonik's commitment to integrating technology into animal nutrition to create more sustainable and efficient farming practices.

  • Data-Driven Insights: Porphyrio's software provides poultry producers with real-time data analysis, enabling them to make informed decisions about feed composition and management practices.
  • Improved Animal Welfare: By optimizing nutrition, Evonik aims to improve the overall health and well-being of poultry, reducing the need for antibiotics and other interventions.
  • Increased Efficiency: Precision feeding strategies lead to improved feed conversion ratios, reduced waste, and increased profitability for poultry farmers.
The integration of AI-powered solutions like Porphyrio's software marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and data-driven approach to animal agriculture. By leveraging technology to optimize nutrition and management practices, Evonik is contributing to a future where livestock farming is both efficient and ethical.

Investing in Tomorrow's Farms

The developments highlighted in this article—Evonik's strategic acquisitions, the rise of bio-based chemical alternatives, and the creation of agrotech hubs—underscore a clear trend: agriculture is rapidly evolving under the influence of technological innovation and strategic investment. These advancements promise to enhance sustainability, improve efficiency, and address critical challenges facing the food production industry.

From AI-powered precision livestock farming to the development of novel crop protection methods, the future of agriculture will be shaped by those who embrace innovation and invest in solutions that benefit both producers and consumers. As the global population continues to grow, the need for sustainable and efficient farming practices will only intensify, making agri-tech an increasingly important area for investment and research.

By continuing to explore and implement innovative technologies, we can create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system that is capable of feeding the world while minimizing its environmental impact. The journey towards a tech-driven agricultural future is underway, and the opportunities for innovation and growth are vast.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

How is Evonik using technology to transform animal nutrition in agriculture?

Evonik is expanding into agriculture by acquiring companies like Porphyrio, Optifarm, and In Ovo. Porphyrio provides software for optimizing poultry nutrition using real-time data analysis. Optifarm specializes in monitoring equipment for poultry farms. In Ovo focuses on in-ovo sexing technology. These acquisitions enable Evonik to integrate technology into animal nutrition, leading to more sustainable and efficient farming practices, improved animal welfare, and increased profitability for poultry farmers. The strategic focus is precision livestock farming.

2

What role do agrotech hubs play in advancing agricultural technology and innovation?

Agrotech hubs are designed to foster collaboration and innovation in agriculture. While the text does not provide specific examples of agrotech hubs, their establishment suggests a concentrated effort to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to develop and deploy new agricultural technologies. This collaborative environment can accelerate the development of solutions for sustainable and efficient farming practices. The text only broadly mentions the rise of these hubs, it would be helpful to explore specific agrotech hubs and their contributions to agriculture.

3

In what ways is Artificial Intelligence (AI) being applied to enhance poultry management?

AI is used in poultry management primarily to optimize animal nutrition and improve overall farming efficiency. Porphyrio's software, acquired by Evonik, provides real-time data analysis that enables poultry producers to make informed decisions about feed composition and management practices. This leads to improved feed conversion ratios, reduced waste, and increased profitability. The integration of AI-powered solutions like Porphyrio's software represents a data-driven approach to animal agriculture, contributing to a future where livestock farming is both efficient and ethical.

4

What does precision livestock farming entail, and how does it contribute to improving animal welfare?

Precision livestock farming involves using technology and data-driven insights to optimize various aspects of animal agriculture, such as nutrition, health, and overall management. Evonik's acquisitions of Porphyrio, Optifarm and In Ovo are examples of this. These technologies help improve animal welfare by optimizing nutrition, reducing the need for antibiotics, and enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on real-time data. This approach promotes sustainability and efficiency in livestock farming, leading to increased productivity and profitability. The concept is about using technology to enhance traditional farming practices.

5

What are sustainable chemical alternatives, and why are they important for the future of agriculture?

Sustainable chemical alternatives, also known as bio-based chemicals, are designed to replace traditional, often environmentally harmful, chemicals used in agriculture. The text mentions their rise, indicating a growing trend towards more eco-friendly solutions in farming. These alternatives aim to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, promote biodiversity, and enhance the sustainability of food production. However, the text does not delve into specific examples or companies involved, it would be helpful to explore those to get a better understanding of how sustainable chemical alternatives are being used in agriculture.

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