The hottest Agriculture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Indian Agri-Fintech, Ag Drones Business Models, Agri-Input Supply Chains, Morality of Food, ESG Pushback)

Agribusiness Matters • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
💼 Business Agriculture Technology ESG Supply Chain Morality
  1. Agricultural credit usage in India differs based on land holdings, with larger holders relying more on institutional credit.
  2. Drones in agriculture have potential for spraying services and precision agriculture, with a future trajectory similar to call centers.
  3. Agritech startups are focusing on digitizing the agri-input supply chain to enhance operations and revenue growth.

ACR #25: Can Blockchain Solve Food Security?

Africa Crypto Report (ACR) • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Blockchain Agriculture Marketplace Supply Chain Cryptocurrency
  1. Blockchain is being used in Africa to improve transparency and efficiency in the food supply chain.
  2. eFama App by Coronet Blockchain helps farmers connect directly with buyers, ensuring product quality and eliminating intermediaries.
  3. The application aims to help farmers achieve product quality assurance, access markets directly, and build sustainable businesses.

[GUEST POST]: From Vegetable Consumption To Production

westafricaweekly • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture Farming Food production Food security
  1. Akwa Ibom farmers have transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial production of essential vegetables.
  2. The state government's initiatives and support have played a significant role in boosting vegetable cultivation in Akwa Ibom.
  3. Vegetables traditionally grown in Northern Nigeria are now successfully cultivated in Akwa Ibom, bridging the supply gap and promoting food security.
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Ag Equipment Right To Repair Headed To Governor’s Desk in Colorado

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Enforcement Agriculture
  1. Colorado House voted 44-16 for agricultural equipment right to repair bill, heading to Governor Polis for approval.
  2. The passing of Colorado's right to repair law marks a significant victory for the national campaign.
  3. Support from various groups, successful state laws on other repair rights, and persistent advocacy all contributed to the success of the agricultural right to repair bill.

Groups call on EPA to investigate Deere over violations of Clean Air Act

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corporate Accountability Agriculture Legal Actions Government Agencies
  1. Groups are urging the EPA to investigate Deere for violating the Clean Air Act by restricting access to emissions systems for repairs, impacting farmers and repair professionals.
  2. Deere's practices of limiting repair options can result in higher costs for farmers, class action lawsuits, and long wait times for service.
  3. Under federal law, the EPA has the authority to take action against manufacturers failing to comply with emissions standards, so there's growing pressure for Deere to be held accountable.

Sticking It To Russia? Good! Remotely Bricking Ag Equipment? Not so much.

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 02 May 22
🌍 World Politics Russia Ukraine Agriculture Technology Security
  1. Ukrainians disabled stolen farm equipment remotely, frustrating thieving Russian troops, which highlights the intertwining of technology and agriculture in modern theft prevention.
  2. Actions like remotely disabling stolen equipment are not only about preventing theft but also about monitoring and collecting valuable agricultural data, which companies like Deere can monetize.
  3. The use of remote management and anti-theft features in agriculture equipment signifies a more intricate relationship between technology, surveillance, and protection in the farming industry.

Smartbulbs and Tractors and NFTvs...Oh My! The Worst of CES

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Privacy Environment Agriculture
  1. The CES event showcased concerning security issues with products like John Deere's autonomous tractor, raising questions about cybersecurity and potential risks posed by vulnerabilities.
  2. Deere's response to security vulnerabilities, including launching a bug bounty program, fell short in transparency and substance, indicating a lack of significant organizational change to address the issues.
  3. Other categories for the Worst In Show at CES included privacy concerns with products like the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Lightbulb and environmental impact with items like the Samsung NFT Aggregation Platform.

How Big Ag Weaponizes The Clean Air Act To Keep Its Repair Monopoly

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
💼 Business Regulation Monopoly Repair Agriculture Emissions
  1. Manufacturers of agricultural equipment use scare tactics about emissions to build profitable service and repair monopolies.
  2. Unlike the automotive industry, the agricultural equipment market faces stricter restrictions regarding repairs and maintenance.
  3. Big Ag's focus on emissions control is part of a strategy to prevent right to repair laws and perpetuate a monopoly on parts and services, rather than a genuine concern for clean air.

Sri Lanka vs chemical fertilizers: did organic farming ruin the country?

First principles trivia • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics Agriculture Economics Corruption
  1. Sri Lanka's ban on chemical fertilizers led to a collapse in rice yields, economic crisis, and social unrest due to shortages and inflation.
  2. The ban was due to concerns about fertilizer safety, but the real issue was a shortage of foreign currency reserves, impacting imports and economy.
  3. Allegations of corruption and influence by close associates may have played a role in decisions about the fertilizer ban, impacting the situation.

Yes, Crypto. The Smart Money Is on Farmland.

James Ledbetter's FIN • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Investing Fintech Economy Agriculture
  1. Investing in farmland can be a smart long-term choice, offering consistent returns, inflation protection, and potential growth driven by global trends like population growth and innovation.
  2. Platforms like AcreTrader, FarmTogether, and Alto Marketplace are making it easier for accredited retail investors to access farmland investments as part of a diversified portfolio strategy.
  3. Despite the risks like weather impacts and limited liquidity, the interest in farmland investing is growing with the potential for significant returns over time and unique investment opportunities.

8/26 TBC Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 21
🕹 Technology E-commerce Agriculture Tech Companies Internet
  1. Xi Jinping's statements on tech were mapped out to understand his true stance, deviating from misquotes online. This article is highly recommended for insights into this important topic.
  2. The intersection of agriculture and tech in China is not just a response to recent government initiatives. Dive deeper into this sector to understand its significance for tech companies.
  3. Ecommerce taxes in China are not separate; it's more about the willingness than the ability to collect taxes. While movement in this area may be slow, addressing ecommerce fraud is crucial.

The Food Supply Chain through Vaclav Smil's Growth

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 21
🍲 Food & Drink Food Systems Agriculture Nutrition Public Health Local Food
  1. Obesity rates have skyrocketed since 1960, almost like it's a booming stock. This growing problem might be linked to how our food system feeds us unhealthy options.
  2. Advances in farming, like better corn yields, have greatly increased our food supply. But this is closely tied to the rise of junk food and processed products that contribute to obesity.
  3. Large-scale farming is taking over small farms, affecting food quality and sustainability. Local farms offer a healthier alternative, but they remain a tiny part of our food landscape.

Local Food, Small Farms, and Verbal Behavior

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 21
🍲 Food & Drink Local Food Farming Sustainability Agriculture
  1. Local food tastes better, and people are willing to pay for it once they try it. This creates business opportunities, but the market is crowded now.
  2. Small farms are becoming more popular because they can be more productive and sustainable than large farms. There's a trend of people getting into farming as a hobby.
  3. There's a debate about whether verbal behavior is the highest form of consciousness. Some thinkers suggest there are levels of consciousness beyond just words.

Climate Change's Next Victim? The Stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Ecosystems Weather Patterns Agriculture
  1. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is important for ocean currents, and it may collapse due to melting ice and more rain. This could greatly impact the global climate.
  2. If AMOC weakens, northern Europe might get colder, and some places could see worse droughts and heatwaves. This could also hit agriculture and force people to move.
  3. There is a new warning system to track AMOC's health using climate models. It's important to understand these changes to avoid serious consequences.

From Birdsong to Silence

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Biodiversity Conservation Climate change Ecosystems Agriculture
  1. Bird populations are declining, with 48% of species in the UK seeing a drop from 2015 to 2020. This means there are fewer birds singing and chirping around us.
  2. Habitat loss, toxic pesticides, and climate change are major factors behind this decline. These issues make it harder for birds to survive and find food.
  3. Birds are important for our environment, helping with things like pest control and pollination. Losing them could lead to bigger problems in nature, so it's vital to support conservation efforts.

#47: Industrial unpredictability

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 20
🍲 Food & Drink Culinary Arts Food Science Agriculture Sustainability Innovation
  1. Industrial food is made in large amounts, which makes it uniform and predictable. This means you often get the same taste every time, like how fast food always tastes similar.
  2. However, creating food that surprises and delights is much harder and usually requires skill and experience. Artisanal food can do this because it doesn't need to be the same every time.
  3. The future of food might involve large-scale production that can still offer unexpected flavors. This could take advanced technology to achieve, like artificial intelligence that understands taste.

#6: Stacking the deck

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 19
🍲 Food & Drink Wine Agriculture Biodiversity Culinary Arts
  1. Low-intervention wine means less control in the winemaking process. Winemakers focus on letting nature take its course rather than forcing a specific outcome.
  2. High-intervention wine requires a lot of control and predictability. This method uses various techniques to ensure the wine meets exact expectations.
  3. Thinking differently about control can help in many areas of life. Embracing uncertainty and letting things develop naturally can lead to better and more surprising outcomes.

159 | Spotlight on Shigella | Superweeds (Super Bad) | Loving Fakes |

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Agriculture Health Risks Consumer behavior
  1. Shigella bacteria can cause severe foodborne illness and mainly spreads through contaminated hands. Proper handwashing and careful food sourcing are crucial to prevent its spread.
  2. Superweeds are plants that have become resistant to common herbicides like glyphosate. They are a growing problem for farmers, leading to higher costs and reduced crop yields.
  3. Consumers sometimes buy counterfeit food products as a way to challenge social inequality. They may feel that buying fakes helps them reject expensive brands and achieve a sense of equality.