Farmers Lab Ltd. of Korea has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in controlled-environment agriculture with the launch of its BK Conveyor Culture (BKCC) system — a horizontally revolving vertical farming technology designed to address one of agriculture’s most urgent challenges: labour shortages.

As farming communities age and younger generations increasingly avoid work that involves harsh weather, long hours or inconsistent income, both traditional and indoor farms are struggling to find workers. Even modern vertical farms continue to depend heavily on manual labour, with fixed-rack systems requiring operators to climb ladders, stretch to reach upper trays and move repeatedly between narrow aisles.

BKCC aims to transform this reality by rethinking the vertical farming structure from the ground up. Instead of having workers move around the farm, the BKCC system rotates the trays horizontally, bringing crops directly to the operator. Planting, irrigation, harvesting and cleaning can all be carried out comfortably from a standing or seated position, reducing physical strain and improving overall safety. This human-centred approach allows farmers of all ages to work more efficiently, more comfortably and with far less risk.

The system has demonstrated the potential to reduce labour requirements by up to 70%, while also achieving 80% water savings compared to traditional fixed-rack vertical farming operations. BKCC’s simplified workflow reduces fatigue, increases output stability and produces more uniform crops thanks to consistent environmental control.

Operating within a carefully managed indoor environment, the BKCC system uses hydroponic precise irrigation, energy-efficient LED lighting, fully clean and soilless production and an intuitive IT dashboard for monitoring. Optional AI-driven growth analysis provides further insight for farmers looking to optimise yield and resource efficiency. These features make BKCC suitable for a wide variety of crops, including microgreens, leafy vegetables, sprouts, animal fodder and virus-free nursery plants destined for greenhouses or open-field transplanting.

The system has already proven its performance through successful trials and commercial operation in both Korea and Singapore, carried out through collaborative research and development partnerships. With consistent output and reliability demonstrated in real-world settings, new installations are now underway in Australia and additional international markets, signalling BKCC’s growing global presence.

Created with a strong social mission in mind, BKCC reflects the company’s philosophy: “Pride for Farmers, Future for Youth.” The technology supports older farmers by making agricultural work physically manageable, while offering younger generations a compelling entry point into clean, high-tech, sustainable farming. As many fixed-rack vertical farms struggle with complexity and rising operational costs, BKCC provides a simpler, safer and more accessible solution tailored to practical farming realities.

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.

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.

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.