Agriculture

Dr Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, shares the story behind the documentary World Without Cows at a film screening in Kentucky. (Image source: Alltech)

Global leader in animal nutrition and crop science, Alltech has launched Planet of Plenty LLC, a new business entity dedicated to science-led storytelling, advocacy and educational initiatives that amplify agriculture’s vital role in creating a sustainable future

Building on Alltech’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty, this initiative unites the agri-food community in creating a world where agriculture thrives, nutritious food is abundant and accessible, and our planet’s natural resources are replenished for generations to come.   

While most families had ties to agriculture just two generations ago, many people today lack firsthand exposure to how the world’s food is produced. This disconnect can lead to misconceptions and oversimplified narratives about agriculture’s environmental impact, the role of farmers in creating climate solutions, and the complexity of feeding a growing population while protecting natural resources. Through powerful storytelling, advocacy and educational initiatives, Planet of Plenty LLC aims to bridge that gap.

“Through Planet of Plenty LLC, we can take viewers on a global journey—into fields, research labs and farming communities—where they will see firsthand the intricate relationship between agriculture, the environment and food and economic security,” said president and CEO of Alltech, Dr Mark Lyons.

Planet of Plenty LLC will serve as a collaborative hub where those within the agri-food community and beyond can promote science-based storytelling, advocate for the world’s agri-food producers, support educational initiatives and broaden the conversation about agriculture’s role in shaping a more sustainable future. Planet of Plenty LLC’s flagship project is World Without Cows, a feature-length documentary that amplifies the diverse perspectives of researchers studying methane emissions, farmers implementing regenerative practices, experts tackling the challenge of nourishing a growing population, and people in rural communities who rely on cows for their livelihoods.

As interest in World Without Cows grows, this initiative offers supporters a mechanism to strengthen the documentary’s impact by opening doors to new audiences. Financial contributions to Planet of Plenty LLC will directly fund efforts to expand the documentary’s reach—and will also support additional science-based storytelling and advocacy initiatives that keep the conversation going.

The Minister outlined key areas of focus, including the review of the final report from the Ministerial Technical Working Group on cooperative reform. (Image source:

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has reaffirmed its readiness to revitalise the Cooperative Sector as it would drive economic growth, promote social cohesion, enhance food security as well as reduce poverty in Nigeria

Speaking during the Technical Strategy Session on the Implementation of the Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme held in Abuja, recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that there is a need to chart a new course for the cooperative sector, built on the principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

The Minister outlined key areas of focus, including the review of the final report from the Ministerial Technical Working Group on cooperative reform. He added that the implementation strategies developed would be in line with the President’s vision of building a US$1 trillion economy.

He stated that the global impact of cooperatives and its combined asset base worldwide is valued at approximately US$19.6 trillion while generating an annual revenue of US$2.98 trillion. Abdullahi stated that there is a plan for restructuring the Federal Department of Cooperatives, enhancing institutions such as the Federal Cooperative Colleges and the National Centre for Cooperative Development.

According to him, ‘’the goal is to equip these institutions to provide high-quality training and prepare Nigerian youths for a modern, people-centric cooperative movement’’, the minister added. He also underscored the importance of collaboration, calling for partnerships with private sector operators, civil society organizations, and cooperative societies across different categories.

The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. (Image source: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa)

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products

Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health (phytosanitary) system.

The new law responds to the concern that the introduction and spread of potentially damaging pests in South Africa could have a significantly negative impact on South African biosecurity, agricultural production and food security as well as on market access.

The Bill provides for phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of regulated pests to safeguard South African agriculture and plant natural resources. It also provides for the control of regulated pests, regulation of the movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles into, within and out of the Republic.

The law brings South Africa into compliance with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as well as the International Plant Protection Convention.

This compliance will support South Africa’s efforts to enter new markets and maintain current export markets, which will have a positive impact on the South African agricultural sector in terms of job creation and sustainable use of land and other natural resources.

PlanAI helps to deliver a prioritised list of high-ROI regenerative ag programmes aligned with a company’s climate goals and budget. (Image source: Regrow)

Agriculture Resilience Platform provider, Regrow Ag recently announced the launch of an advanced AI-driven solution, PlanAI designed to help companies create high-ROI regenerative agriculture programme and plans to meet scope 3 emissions targets

PlanAI allows agrifood companies to move beyond rough emissions estimates and underperforming pilots toward supply-specific strategies that deliver real progress toward scope 3 goals. 

In order to meet the 2030 climate targets, companies are under pressure to find cost-effective, high-impact strategies to cut emissions. They however lack the supply chain visibility needed to make informed decisions about where and how to invest in regenerative agriculture. PlanAI simplifies this process by using satellite monitoring, machine learning, and Tier 3 level modeling to provide primary emissions data for a company’s entire sourcing region.

By evaluating billions of data points through the analysis of every crop, growing practice, and region combination, PlanAI helps to deliver a prioritised list of high-ROI regenerative ag programmes aligned with a company’s climate goals and budget. Moreover, it delivers a tailored financial and environmental forecast, including total programme costs and estimated GHG reductions. This year-by-year breakdown helps companies track progress toward their Scope 3 targets while ensuring investments are directed toward the highest-return opportunities.

PlanAI also transforms complex emissions and financial data into clear, visual reports that highlight costs, projected GHG impact, and total regenerative area. These insights make it easier to gain stakeholder alignment, secure budgets, and develop effective grower outreach plans.

“Many of our customers have sustainability objectives but don’t know where to start with regenerative agriculture,” said Molly Kamrath, director of Business Integration and Improvement at Anchor Ingredients. “PlanAI helps us make actionable programme recommendations that will support customers’ progress toward their goals by identifying high-impact interventions for the crops they source from Anchor.”

An online event aimed at demonstrating the usage of PlanAI will be hosted by Regrow on 20 February.