Google Partners for Climate-Smart Agriculture: Innovations in Water Conservation with Agtech Seedlings
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Google Partners with Arable for Water Conservation
In an effort to aid farmers in southwest Nebraska with water conservation, Google has formed a strategic alliance with crop technology firm Arable.
This partnership will equip farmers with Arable’s advanced field monitoring technology, enabling real-time insights into their crops’ water needs, thus facilitating informed irrigation decisions, as mentioned in the announcement.
Google will support the implementation of Arable’s technology over a large area of 25,000 acres in the Twin Platte Natural Resources District in southwest Nebraska. Meanwhile, Arable will oversee the project’s performance and provide necessary training for farmers.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to reduce groundwater extraction from the Platte River system, which has been impacted by drought conditions, pollution, and escalating salinity levels resulting from overconsumption. Google has prioritized water conservation within its sustainability objectives, aspiring to replenish more water than it utilizes by 2030. The company is also investing $1.2 billion in a data center in Nebraska that incorporates water in its cooling processes.
“We’re thrilled to partner with industry leaders like Arable to enhance water conservation in agriculture and align with our commitment to environmentally responsible cooling in our operations,” stated Suzie Shine, Google Data Center Sustainability Manager.
Fresh Del Monte Appoints New Head of Innovation
Fresh Del Monte, a major player in the produce sector, has selected a new director of innovation to steer initiatives that transform agricultural practices, including efforts to convert pineapple waste into eco-friendly fertilizers.
Dr. Nizar Haddad joins as director of innovation and business development, also overseeing the company’s biofertilizer venture, De l’Ora Bio, developed in collaboration with Vellsam Materias Bioactivas.
Previously serving as the director general of the National Agricultural Research Centre in Jordan, Dr. Haddad founded the first agricultural innovation incubator in the region. At Fresh Del Monte, he will guide the company’s innovation strategy and seek new pathways for sustainable agricultural development, as stated in their release.
“Dr. Haddad embodies the innovative vision that propels our organization forward, and I am confident that under his guidance and expertise, we will continue to pioneer advancements in sustainable agriculture,” remarked Fresh Del Monte CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh.
HabiTerre Secures $10 Million to Lead in Farm Climate Data
HabiTerre, a startup focused on delivering a comprehensive assessment of farms’ environmental impact, has successfully raised $10 million in its initial funding round to enhance its digital monitoring platform with the goal of becoming the “global benchmark” in agricultural sustainability metrics.
Founded by Dr. Kaiyu Guan of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, HabiTerre evaluates a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions and calculates the potential for carbon sequestration through enhanced farming practices. Its analytical model covers the agricultural ecosystem above and below ground, applicable in croplands, grasslands, forests, and wetlands.
Led by Deere, this funding round was described by CEO Nick Reinke as a “significant indication” of the technology’s scalability potential. The agricultural machinery leader had previously invested in HabiTerre’s seed funding round in 2022 and has collaborated with the startup on various pilot projects.
“This represents an exciting new chapter for HabiTerre,” remarked Guan. “Our ambition is to set a global standard for measuring agricultural decarbonization and sustainability metrics.
Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.