Machinery & Equipment

With ease of use being the main focus, this advancement ensures that smart lighting strategies are intuitive and accessible for growers at every level. (Image source: Heliospectra)

Heliospectra AB, a global leader in smart LED lighting for controlled environments, recently announced the launch of its Dynamic MITRA X multi-channel LED solutions 

Featuring advanced 3-channel and 4-channel configurations, the new lighting systems bring unmatched precision and customisation in combination with the new Spectrum Design Tool and Dynamic Zoning, allowing growers to optimise crop growth, quality, and operational efficiency.

The new MITRA X C3 and C4 multi-channel systems seamlessly integrate with Heliospectra’s HelioCORE software, which enhances light management capabilities for both professional growers and researchers. The launch of these systems has been a stepping stone for the company to introduce its proven dynamic lighting technology to greenhouses, empowering growers with greater flexibility while maintaining the efficacy that defines their solutions.

With ease of use being the main focus, this advancement ensures that smart lighting strategies are intuitive and accessible for growers at every level.

“The modularity of MITRA X allows growers to customise installations and adapt to their unique needs, whether they require static, flex, or dynamic lighting solutions, said CEO Heliospectra, Bonny Heeren. “As we have supplied the Agtech and research segment with the dynamic spectrum for more than 10 years, it was a natural next step for us to introduce it also in our MITRA X platform to bring control and flexibility also to greenhouse growers.”

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the application of advanced GPS technology in agriculture. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Agricultural robotics leader, Burro has announced a strategic partnership with GEODNET, a blockchain company providing precise GPS positioning solutions, to integrate GEODNET's cutting-edge RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GPS technology into Burro's autonomous robots

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the application of advanced GPS technology in agriculture, enhancing the capabilities of robotic systems that are already transforming farming practices.

Through this agreement, GEODNET will provide RTK corrections and base stations to Burro, enabling their robots to operate efficiently in regions lacking current GPS coverage. The ability to rapidly deploy new base stations will ensure greater flexibility for Burro's customers, allowing them to scale operations quickly and effectively.

"We are pleased to partner with Burro, whose innovative robotic solutions are redefining modern agriculture,” commented founder of GEODNET, Mike Horton. “By integrating GEODNET’s RTK technology, we’re not only ensuring precision and reliability for Burro’s robots but also advancing the accessibility of high-performance GPS for the agricultural sector. This partnership underscores our commitment to enabling transformative applications of GPS technology."

Sahit Muja, Albanian Minerals. (Image source: Albanian Minerals)

Harnessing the power of the world's largest green magnesium reserves, Albanian Minerals is unlocking a mineral blend capable of transforming billions of tons of CO₂ into vital nutrients for biodiversity

By reducing land and ocean acidity, this innovation paves the way for a healthier planet, fostering fertile soil, vibrant ecosystems, and improved human health. Green magnesium promises enhanced plant growth, superior soil quality, and a boost to global food security. Furthermore, including it in health supplements also offers numerous benefits. 

“Our approach to solving the planet's greatest challenges is centred around eco-friendly green magnesium, which has already demonstrated remarkable results in restoring both land and water,” said Albanian Minerals’ CEO, Sahit Muja while summing up the company’s mission. “As we face the ongoing crises of climate change and environmental degradation, green magnesium's role in carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem stability is more critical than ever.”

Beyond being a mere product, green magnesium represents a catalyst for a sustainable future.

President & CEO of Agmatix, Ron Baruchi. (Image source: Agmatix)

In an exclusive interview with African Farming, CEO of Agmatix Ron Baruchi highlighted the role of their new Agronomic Trial Management software in enhancing business performance

Could you provide an overview of Agmatix and its impact on transforming the global agricultural landscape?

Ron Baruchi (RB): Agmatix is dedicated to advancing agriculture by turning data into actionable insights that enable more sustainable farming practices worldwide. Through our data-driven platforms, we empower agribusinesses, agrifood companies and their respective agronomists and growers to make informed decisions, optimise resources, and adopt regenerative practices. Our commitment to enhancing productivity while promoting environmental stewardship allows the agricultural sector to achieve a balance between maximising yield and minimising environmental impact. By focusing on cutting-edge technology like AI-driven agronomic analytics, Agmatix is helping the agricultural landscape evolve into a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem, meeting the growing demands for food security and environmental responsibility.

According to you, how does AI contribute to driving innovation in agriculture?

Ron Baruchi (RB): AI is revolutionising agriculture by transforming how we understand and apply data across every stage of the production cycle. From forecasting crop health and optimising input use to modelling the environmental impact of specific practices, AI allows us to handle complex, large-scale data with unparalleled precision. At Agmatix, AI helps us turn vast data sets into actionable insights that reveal trends and patterns otherwise difficult to detect. It also enables us to automate processes, making it easier for agriculture professionals and agronomists to access data-driven recommendations. By integrating AI with agronomic science, we are driving innovation that not only improves productivity but also aligns with the urgent need for scaling regenerative agriculture practices.

Could you shed some light on your Agronomic Trial Management software and its role in enhancing business performance?

Ron Baruchi (RB): Agmatix's Agronomic Trial Management software is designed to streamline the research and development process for agribusinesses. Our platform offers robust tools for planning, monitoring, and analysing trials, allowing companies to assess the efficacy of new inputs, crop varieties, and agronomic practices. The software also helps agrifood companies pilot regenerative practices and crop varieties in real-world settings, providing invaluable insights into their effectiveness under actual growing conditions. By centralising trial data and providing real-time insights, we help organisations make quicker, data-backed decisions that optimise product performance and reduce time-to-market. This software is a game-changer for agribusinesses looking to enhance their competitive edge by making data-driven decisions that improve crop yield, quality, and sustainability outcomes.

How has this technology helped in addressing the key challenges faced by the agri-food sector?

Ron Baruchi (RB): The agri-food sector faces unique challenges, from resource scarcity and climate variability to increasing demand for transparency and sustainability. Today’s companies are also under pressure to achieve more with fewer resources, balancing constrained internal resources with ambitious product development goals. Agmatix’s technology addresses these challenges by enabling companies to manage and analyse data more efficiently and accurately. Our analysis tools allow teams to maximise their time spent wrangling data, analyse results faster, and focus on actionable insights. This accelerated process enables cross-functional teams, such as marketing and sales, to leverage trial results data into early market penetration strategies and create impactful sales enablement materials. For example, our platforms facilitate scaling regenerative agriculture practices by assessing key impact areas such as soil health, nutrient use, and biodiversity. Through our Trial Management software, companies can experiment with different inputs and farming methods, gaining insights into what works best under various conditions, which leads to optimised resource use and reduced environmental impact. By providing tools that support efficient, evidence-based decision-making, we help agri-food companies meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market.

Could you outline, with examples, how Agmatix's range of solutions has positively impacted agribusinesses in terms of sustainability?

Ron Baruchi (RB): Agmatix has been instrumental in helping agribusinesses achieve sustainability through several of our core solutions. For instance, our RegenIQ framework, designed for regenerative agriculture, assesses the impact of farming practices on soil health, water use, and biodiversity. By applying this framework in crops like coffee, cacao, and soybeans, we have enabled agribusinesses to measure and adjust practices to improve sustainability outcomes. Additionally, our Agronomic Trial Management platform has helped companies develop and test new products such as low-nitrogen fertilisers and biocontrols for pest management, allowing them to make informed decisions that reduce resource use while maintaining yield and quality. These efforts not only support the companies' sustainability goals but also contribute to a more resilient agricultural system.