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ReinCloud 3 integration can transform digital farm management. (Image credit: CloudX)

Equipment

Reinke Manufacturing, one of the world’s leading producers of centre pivot irrigation systems, has strengthened its strategic alliance with CropX Technologies through a major new integration designed to simplify and modernise digital farm management.

The two companies have unveiled a unified platform experience that connects the full suite of CropX agronomic data directly into Reinke’s ReinCloud 3 system, offering farmers a seamless, single-location interface for all essential operational insights.

This next phase of collaboration removes one of the biggest frustrations farmers face switching between multiple digital dashboards. With the integration in place, growers can now view all CropX data streams directly inside ReinCloud 3, meaning that soil moisture, weather conditions, agronomic analytics and pivot management controls can finally be accessed in one streamlined platform. The result is a more intuitive, efficient approach to farm monitoring and irrigation decisions.

The connectivity between CropX and ReinCloud 3 is fully secure and highly detailed. CropX sensors now appear directly on the ReinCloud 3 map with exact placement data, enabling farmers to navigate their fields digitally with complete clarity. The integration supports the entire CropX portfolio, including soil moisture probes, evapotranspiration (ET) data, rain gauges and localised weather station insights. By presenting this information in a single interface, growers gain a clearer understanding of field conditions, helping them make better-informed and timely decisions.

Importantly, the flow of information moves both ways. In addition to bringing CropX insights into ReinCloud, the system allows Reinke’s as-applied irrigation data to feed automatically into the CropX platform. This supports agronomic service providers with accurate data for crop modelling, record-keeping, compliance, nutrient planning and broader farm reporting tasks. The exchange significantly improves data accuracy for irrigation scheduling and agronomy recommendations.

To mark the launch of this enhanced integration, Reinke is currently offering a free CropX sensor with every new irrigation system, ensuring that customers immediately benefit from high-quality soil and crop intelligence from their first day in the field. This initiative reinforces the companies’ shared goal of connecting machine performance with agronomic insights to create more responsive and efficient farming operations.

“We’re building technology that works together seamlessly because that’s what modern farming demands,” says Chris Roth, President of Reinke Manufacturing. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to making growers’ lives easier through smart innovation.”

“CropX brings together soil sensing, satellite imagery, irrigation management, disease prediction, nutrient management, and yield forecasting, all powered by AI and machine learning,” says Tomer Tzach, CEO of CropX Technologies. “Now, farmers can access this complete agronomic intelligence directly where they’re already working, making better decisions faster.”

Since forming their partnership in 2021, Reinke and CropX have remained focused on delivering integrated, farmer-friendly solutions. Both companies plan to expand platform integration even further, continuing their mission to remove complexity from digital agriculture and deliver smarter, data-driven farm management.

Pupuk Indonesia's commitment to sustainable industrial development.

Fertilizers & Pesticides

Indonesia has entered a significant new phase in its industrial development as Pupuk Indonesia Group through its subsidiaries PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) and PT Rekayasa Industri (Rekind) has officially launched the construction of the country’s first-ever soda ash factory.

This milestone, celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony and the installation of the first pile at the Kaltim Industrial Estate (KIE) in Bontang, East Kalimantan, marks a major step forward for the national fertiliser and petrochemical industry.

Senior figures including the Senior Director of Business Performance & Asset Optimization at Danantara Asset Management, Bhimo Aryanto, senior leaders from Pupuk Indonesia and Pupuk Kaltim, as well as representatives from both the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and the City of Bontang, were present to witness the start of this strategic project.

Pupuk Indonesia President & Director Rahmad Pribadi described the development as a historic progression in the long-standing evolution of Indonesia’s chemical and fertiliser sectors, which date back to 1959. He emphasised that the project is not only part of strengthening the nation’s industrial self-sufficiency but also demonstrates a clear commitment to downstreaming and achieving a low-emission, sustainable industrial transformation.

He highlighted that the initiative aligns closely with the Asta Cita vision of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. By utilising carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated as a by-product of existing ammonia production, the plant will manufacture soda ash—an essential input for industries such as glass, ceramics, detergent, pulp and paper, food processing, and more.

Once operational, the factory is expected to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of soda ash each year, covering roughly 30% of domestic demand and significantly reducing reliance on imports. This shift could save up to IDR 1 trillion annually in foreign exchange from soda ash alone, alongside around IDR 250 billion from ammonium chloride import substitution, another valuable by-product of the process.

Pupuk Kaltim President & Managing Director Gusrizal reinforced the importance of the project in supporting national downstreaming priorities and enhancing the resilience of Indonesia’s chemical industry. He noted that the development forms a crucial part of the company’s wider business transformation, aiming to diversify into more efficient and environmentally responsible chemical ventures.

“This project is part of Pupuk Kaltim’s commitment to implementing ESG principles and a circular economy, where CO₂ emissions from the existing plant are reused as the main raw material for soda ash production. We will ensure that the entire construction process is carried out with the highest safety and quality standards, as a manifestation of our responsibility to provide an efficient, safe, and competitive industry,” said Gusrizal.

The plant is projected to absorb around 174,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, directly supporting Indonesia’s 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target. Its circular-economy approach turns emissions into high-value products while strengthening domestic supply chains. The ammonium chloride generated can also be used as fertiliser, reinforcing national food security.

Economically, the facility is anticipated to stimulate both regional and national growth by creating jobs, empowering local MSMEs, and supporting industries involved in supplying inputs such as industrial salt.

Danantara Asset Management’s Bhimo Aryanto expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasising its broader national significance. “Pupuk Indonesia Group continues to innovate in developing efficient, low – emission, and sustainable industries. This project not only creates an industry but also optimizes existing resources and significantly reduces industrial waste. We want this plant to become a new benchmark for Indonesia’s green chemical industry,” he said.

For Pupuk Indonesia Group, the soda ash plant signals a renewed commitment to national industrial resilience, food security, and long-term economic sovereignty. With a focus on innovation and downstream growth, the Group aims to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness through sustainable, future-ready industrial development.

XAG’s latest innovations signal the continued evolution of connected & autonomous farming technology. (Image credit: XAG)

Equipment

XAG’s new R Series Agricultural Rover, a ground-based robotic platform designed to transform crop protection and material handling for orchard, vineyard, and greenhouse growers.

As a recognised leader in agricultural robotics, XAG used the event to highlight how automation, machine intelligence, and connected systems are reshaping modern farming. The company’s portfolio on show included lightweight rovers, tractor autopilot consoles, smart irrigation technology, fertigation solutions, and IoT monitoring tools. Together, these systems demonstrated a practical shift towards data-driven, resource-efficient agriculture that reduces labour demands and improves consistency across fields.

The newly launched R Series Agricultural Rover is built to act as a smart co-pilot for growers managing high-value speciality crops. Compact, fully electric, and engineered for tight or uneven terrain, the rover provides a reliable solution where traditional tractors struggle to operate. It is purpose-built for orchards, vineyards, tunnel houses, and greenhouses, where narrow rows and dense canopies demand precision over brute force.

Two distinct models make up the R Series.

The R100 Agricultural Rover is tailored for greenhouse and vegetable production, featuring a 120-litre tank, four-wheel drive, and two high-speed JetSprayers for accurate and efficient application in confined growing environments.

The larger R200 Agricultural Rover carries a 240-litre tank, six-wheel drive, and four JetSprayers, making it suitable for orchards and vineyards where extended range and capacity are essential.

Each rover is built with an all-aluminium chassis and a suspended portal axle, ensuring stability on sloped or uneven ground. The JetSprayer technology produces droplets between 60 and 200 microns, providing uniform coverage while reducing both water usage and chemical input.

Farmers control the rover through the SRC 5 Smart Remote Controller, equipped with a responsive touchscreen, dual joysticks, FPV live view, and XLink connectivity. This allows operators to remain a safe distance from chemicals while maintaining full oversight of the machine’s movements.

The onboard system supports a suite of intelligent features including Cruise Mode, Path Tracking, and Repeat Mode aimed at simplifying repetitive daily tasks. With RealTerra mapping and AI-assisted safety, the rover can detect obstacles, assess its surroundings, and adjust its route in real time, reducing risk while improving operational accuracy.

With labour shortages placing pressure on many speciality crop farms, the R Series is positioned as a practical solution to minimise physical workloads and support more reliable, predictable field operations. Its modular, expandable design allows growers to add attachments for weeding, material transport, and other tasks, turning it into a flexible assistant for year-round use.

Alongside the rover, XAG presented the APC2 Series AutoPilot Console, which delivers automated steering to small and mid-sized tractors. Able to achieve centimetre-level navigation accuracy, the system reduces fuel usage and operator fatigue and can be installed within minutes without replacing the tractor’s steering wheel.

The company also highlighted its smart fertigation and IoT systems, allowing farmers to control irrigation and nutrient delivery remotely. With electric valves, fertiliser injectors, and local network support, these systems ensure stable connectivity and secure data management even in regions with poor mobile coverage.

XAG’s latest innovations signal the continued evolution of connected, autonomous farming technology designed to help growers reduce costs, use fewer resources, and improve crop quality with greater precision.

 

African Farming
Henkesasswolf

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New mobile app for real-time engagement between horticultural AI and indoor growers

The mobile app bridges the gap between growers and operators. (Image source: FarmVisionAI)

Agriculture AI company FarmVisionAI has introduced a new mobile app designed to engage growers in-field with vision AI stress detections

The mobile app brings FarmVisionAI’s horticulturist trained AI to a smartphone platform that can be used while scouting plants and walking the farm.

Location-specific information allows the grower and FarmVisionAI to validate the detections and complement the close-up images taken with the phone camera. The photos of the grower are geo-tagged to the location and appear in the desktop application that shows the grow in a ‘Google-earth’ like visualisation. To add value and explain what is happening in progress and what needs to be done, notes, recommendations, and actions can be applied to the imagery.

“The FarmVisionAI mobile app is a critical piece of functionality that bridges the gap between growers and operators,” said Jeff Bisberg, Illumitex CEO. “Our real-time imagery is the ground truth and provides transparency that can cut through communication barriers and finger-pointing.”

“Growing at scale can be extremely complex. The ability for FarmVisionAI users to capture images of specific issues through the mobile app is huge,” said Mark McDevitt, FarmVisionAI horticulture science leader. “First, the pictures are stored securely and organised in the FarmVisionAI system instead of the grower’s phones. Second, it makes it possible to analyse and diagnose individuals from anywhere in the world. And thirdly, it is an intellectual property repository in the form of visually based knowledge, specific to that site, which can be used for training, benchmarking and SOPs.”

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Crops

Pupuk Indonesia's commitment to sustainable industrial development.

Fertilizers & Pesticides

Indonesia has entered a significant new phase in its industrial development as Pupuk Indonesia Group through its subsidiaries PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) and PT Rekayasa Industri (Rekind) has officially launched the construction of the country’s first-ever soda ash factory.

This milestone, celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony and the installation of the first pile at the Kaltim Industrial Estate (KIE) in Bontang, East Kalimantan, marks a major step forward for the national fertiliser and petrochemical industry.

Senior figures including the Senior Director of Business Performance & Asset Optimization at Danantara Asset Management, Bhimo Aryanto, senior leaders from Pupuk Indonesia and Pupuk Kaltim, as well as representatives from both the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and the City of Bontang, were present to witness the start of this strategic project.

Pupuk Indonesia President & Director Rahmad Pribadi described the development as a historic progression in the long-standing evolution of Indonesia’s chemical and fertiliser sectors, which date back to 1959. He emphasised that the project is not only part of strengthening the nation’s industrial self-sufficiency but also demonstrates a clear commitment to downstreaming and achieving a low-emission, sustainable industrial transformation.

He highlighted that the initiative aligns closely with the Asta Cita vision of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. By utilising carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated as a by-product of existing ammonia production, the plant will manufacture soda ash—an essential input for industries such as glass, ceramics, detergent, pulp and paper, food processing, and more.

Once operational, the factory is expected to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of soda ash each year, covering roughly 30% of domestic demand and significantly reducing reliance on imports. This shift could save up to IDR 1 trillion annually in foreign exchange from soda ash alone, alongside around IDR 250 billion from ammonium chloride import substitution, another valuable by-product of the process.

Pupuk Kaltim President & Managing Director Gusrizal reinforced the importance of the project in supporting national downstreaming priorities and enhancing the resilience of Indonesia’s chemical industry. He noted that the development forms a crucial part of the company’s wider business transformation, aiming to diversify into more efficient and environmentally responsible chemical ventures.

“This project is part of Pupuk Kaltim’s commitment to implementing ESG principles and a circular economy, where CO₂ emissions from the existing plant are reused as the main raw material for soda ash production. We will ensure that the entire construction process is carried out with the highest safety and quality standards, as a manifestation of our responsibility to provide an efficient, safe, and competitive industry,” said Gusrizal.

The plant is projected to absorb around 174,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, directly supporting Indonesia’s 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target. Its circular-economy approach turns emissions into high-value products while strengthening domestic supply chains. The ammonium chloride generated can also be used as fertiliser, reinforcing national food security.

Economically, the facility is anticipated to stimulate both regional and national growth by creating jobs, empowering local MSMEs, and supporting industries involved in supplying inputs such as industrial salt.

Danantara Asset Management’s Bhimo Aryanto expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasising its broader national significance. “Pupuk Indonesia Group continues to innovate in developing efficient, low – emission, and sustainable industries. This project not only creates an industry but also optimizes existing resources and significantly reduces industrial waste. We want this plant to become a new benchmark for Indonesia’s green chemical industry,” he said.

For Pupuk Indonesia Group, the soda ash plant signals a renewed commitment to national industrial resilience, food security, and long-term economic sovereignty. With a focus on innovation and downstream growth, the Group aims to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness through sustainable, future-ready industrial development.

PSAV, NAEC, PepsiCo and CARE launched Phase II. (Image credit: NhanDan)

BKCC aims to transform this reality by rethinking the vertical farming structure from the ground up.

Livestock

The future of marine resources.

Aquaculture

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Crayfish provide a nutrient-dense, low-impact protein source that requires minimal feed.

Hamlet Protein manufactures high-quality soy-based protein ingredients designed for young piglets, poultry, and calves.(Image credit: Hamlet Protein)

Equipment

this new model marks a major leap forward in greenhouse maintenance, offering improved safety, usability, and flexibility for growers. (Image credit: Van der Waay)

Equipment

Van der Waay has unveiled its latest innovation, the Top Cleaner V, a fully autonomous roof-cleaning and coating machine designed to replace the long-standing Safety Cart.

According to the company, this new model marks a major leap forward in greenhouse maintenance, offering improved safety, usability, and flexibility for growers.

Unlike its predecessor, the Top Cleaner V operates entirely on its own, removing the need for an operator to travel along with the machine. It moves through a single gutter, making it compatible with greenhouses of different peak heights and roof designs. With just one button, growers can send the machine to the far end of the greenhouse, where it automatically turns around and returns, neatly retracting the water hose as it goes.

The Top Cleaner V is built from a series of modular components, allowing growers to customise it to match their exact workflows. Whether the job involves brushing glass from ridge to gutter, applying greenhouse coatings, or cleaning gutters, the machine can be configured for any combination of tasks. This makes it a versatile, future-proof solution suitable for a wide range of greenhouse types and operational needs.

Growers can choose from specialised brush sets designed for different peak sizes, a dedicated gutter brush for fast gutter cleaning, and spray booms for accurate coating application. Optional features include a remote-control system for safe ground-level operation, a service platform for smooth movement along the greenhouse façade, a high-pressure pump for water supply, and a portable generator for complete energy autonomy.

Safety has been a key priority in the development of the Top Cleaner V. All rotating parts are fully enclosed, and the machine is designed for easy access when maintenance is required. It can also be placed on a service platform to move conveniently from one peak to the next, provided the greenhouse façade is equipped with a rail system.

Key technical details include a 230 V power supply (compatible with a portable generator), adjustable operating speeds of up to 20 metres per minute, a hose reel that holds approximately 200 metres of ½-inch hose, and a maximum machine weight of around 285 kg depending on configuration. The machine has a wheelbase of 150 cm, offering stability during operation.

Van der Waay highlights the Top Cleaner V’s competitive pricing and high efficiency, noting that the machine can pay for itself quickly. Even a 1% increase in light transmission inside the greenhouse leads directly to a 1% rise in crop production, making clean, well-maintained glass essential for growers aiming to boost yields.

ReinCloud 3 integration can transform digital farm management. (Image credit: CloudX)

XAG’s latest innovations signal the continued evolution of connected & autonomous farming technology. (Image credit: XAG)

Technology

Enhance Agricultural Resilience with Solar Energy.

Infrastructure

The SoLAR project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is entering its second phase, aiming to deepen agricultural resilience and climate transformation in smallholder farming

Launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the initiative runs from July 2025 to December 2029 and expands its geographical and thematic focus, now incorporating Ethiopia and Kenya, while continuing its work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Building on the success of its first phase (2019–2024), SoLAR looks to scale solar energy solutions for agriculture and position them as a replicable and scalable model for climate-resilient agriculture across the Global South.

In its first phase, SoLAR focused on generating evidence, piloting innovative financing models, and influencing policy to integrate solar-powered irrigation systems (SIPs). These solar pumps have proven effective in mitigating climate impacts by replacing diesel pumps and promoting sustainable groundwater usage. “Across the four South Asian countries, we have seen promising steps toward scaling solar irrigation sustainably and inclusively,” said Darshini Ravindranath, Project Lead and Research Group Leader at IWMI. The project has helped governments in Bangladesh and India integrate solar irrigation into national strategies, while in Nepal, it led to a significant policy shift, including revised subsidy criteria supporting women farmers and smallholders.

Key outcomes include the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, innovative financing such as micro-financing and grants, and the adoption of solar irrigation systems that reduce carbon emissions, conserve groundwater, and support high-value crops. IWMI’s work also extended to grid-connected solar irrigation in Nepal, enabling farmers to sell surplus energy, providing them with additional income streams while promoting responsible groundwater use.

In phase two, SoLAR will expand its reach to East Africa, focusing on scaling solar-powered solutions for irrigation, cooling, and processing. With Kenya and Ethiopia facing climate and energy challenges, the project sees solar technology as a transformative tool for boosting year-round agricultural production and enhancing food security. Muluken Elias Adamseged, Deputy Country Representative at IWMI in Ethiopia, remarked, “Scaling solar-powered irrigation, cooling, and processing can boost year-round production, cut losses and costs, and enhance food security.”

The second phase aims to drive an integrated approach with evidence-based policy design, accelerated funding for solar adoption, enhanced capacity building, and the establishment of Living Labs to test solar solutions in diverse settings. The program will directly benefit smallholder farmers in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia by improving water and energy security, reducing emissions, and enhancing resilience to climate risks, according to Philippe Sas, Head of Cooperation for SDC in India.

Feeding Management offers significant cost savings, improved transparency of feeding programs.(Image credit: SILOKING)

Malaysian agri-tech innovator Agroz Inc. has launched a groundbreaking AI-driven farming strategy designed to transform modern agriculture into a scalable and profitable asset class. Through its new Agroz OS platform, built on Microsoft Azure’s AI infrastructure, the company is redefining how crops are grown, managed, and distributed — offering a smarter, greener path for farmers and investors alike. The Agroz OS platform merges artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to support vertical farming systems that use less land and water while producing clean, pesticide-free crops. This approach is particularly valuable for regions like Africa, where efficient resource use and reliable yields are key to long-term food security. Agroz’s model treats food production as distributed infrastructure — modular, measurable, and investable. Its first commercial venture, developed with Harvest Today, LLC, uses patented Harvest Wall™ technology to demonstrate how vertical farming can bring fresh produce closer to urban centres while reducing environmental impact. “We are building agriculture into the next great infrastructure class. With strong government incentives and the rapid adoption of agri-tech, this is the right time to show how technology, sustainability, and capital can work together to generate lasting economic and environmental returns,” said Gerard Lim, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Agroz. Beyond its cutting-edge vertical farms, Agroz is introducing Agroz Copilot, an intelligent AI assistant that helps farmers make better real-time decisions — from predicting crop health to managing energy use. The system’s integration of automation and analytics means farmers can increase productivity while keeping costs low. Agroz’s sustainable farming approach aligns with 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), earning recognition from UNDP Malaysia, ESG Malaysia, and several national innovation awards. With Malaysia’s 10-year income tax exemption for agricultural ventures under Budget 2026, the company is positioned to expand rapidly across Asia and, potentially, emerging African markets. As Agroz continues to grow, it aims to make AI-driven, sustainable agriculture accessible for farmers everywhere — empowering them to achieve higher yields, improve soil health, and build a resilient food system for the future.(Image credit: Agroz)

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