Industry Overview - Vertical farming has experienced a boom but also faced difficulties [1] - Over $6 billion was invested in vertical farming startups in the past decade [1] - The global market is expected to more than treble from around $8 billion in 2023 to about $25 billion in 2030 [4] Funding and Financial Challenges - Funding dropped significantly from over $2 billion in 2021 to around $280 million last year [2] - Major players like Barry Farming and App Harvest have collapsed [2] - High energy costs for LED lighting and ventilation are a major problem [2] - Higher interest rates have made financing more expensive [2] Challenges and Obstacles - Shortage of skilled labor is a contributing factor to the industry's struggles [3] - Secrecy around technology has hindered learning from mistakes [3] - More arable land is being used for biofuels, and soil degradation is a problem [5] - Crops are under pressure from climate change, and water scarcity is an issue [5] Future Prospects and Opportunities - Environmental, economic, and structural reasons could fuel demand for vertical farms [4][5] - Concerns about food security may drive the need to bring food sources closer to home [6] - Advances in AI could significantly improve the efficiency of vertical farms [6] - Vertical farming's potential is greater in areas like Singapore, which only grows 6% of its own produce [7]

Market Overview - The agricultural biotechnology market is projected to grow from USD 118.2 billion in 2024 to USD 252.1 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2025 to 2035 [1] - The market is driven by innovations that promote sustainable farming methods and enhance the ecological efficiency of agricultural systems [1] Growth Drivers - The United Nations estimates a global population of approximately 10 billion by 2050, a 30% increase from 2017, necessitating advancements in agricultural biotechnology to boost crop yields and productivity [3] - Biotechnological techniques such as genetic engineering enable the development of crops with desirable traits, including pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and enhanced nutritional value [3] Market Segmentation - The market is segmented by product type, including crop protection products (bio-stimulants, bio-pesticides) and transgenic seeds (soybean, maize, cotton) [6] - Organism types include plants, animals, and microbes [6] - Technologies involved encompass genome editing, tissue culture, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering [6] - Applications range from vaccine development to biofuels [6] - Geographically, the market covers regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America [6] Key Players - Major companies in the agricultural biotechnology sector include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bayer AG, Corteva Agriscience, and BASF SE among others [9]

Core Insights - VCI Global Limited has successfully raised over US$23 million for clients and generated US$20 million in advisory fees through its capital advisory arm, V Capital Consulting Group Limited [2][7] - The successful Nasdaq listing of Agroz Inc. marks VCI Global's second IPO in six months, solidifying its leadership in cross-border capital markets [2][6] Company Overview - Agroz Inc. is an agricultural technology company based in Malaysia, focusing on food security through innovative vertical farming solutions [3][8] - The proprietary Agroz Farm Operating System integrates IoT, data analytics, 5G communications, and automated hardware to optimize controlled-environment agriculture [3][9] Technology and Innovation - A next-generation version of Agroz OS is in development, incorporating an advanced AI agent system to autonomously perform complex farming tasks, enhancing operational independence and scalability [4][9] - Agroz operates two vertical farms in Malaysia, including the largest indoor vertical farm in a shopping mall, recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records [5][8] Market Position and Strategy - Agroz aims to transform agriculture through AI and advanced vertical farming technologies, addressing food security challenges globally [6][8] - V Capital Consulting Group is recognized for connecting Southeast Asia's innovative companies with Wall Street growth capital, setting a new standard in capital markets advisory [7][10]

Group 1 - Yara International is one of the world's largest fertilizer producers, operating in over 60 countries and supplying crop nutrition to more than 150 markets [2] - The company plays a critical role in global food security and is investing in clean ammonia and low-carbon solutions [2]

Core Insights - Oracle has launched Oracle Government Data Intelligence for Agriculture, an AI solution aimed at enhancing food system resiliency globally [1][2] - The solution aggregates extensive agricultural data to provide insights for monitoring production and forecasting potential food insecurity issues [2][3] Product Features - The application utilizes AI models to forecast crop yields, detect threats, and assess the impact of intervention programs, aiding governments in strategic agricultural planning [3] - It aggregates data from various sources, including satellite imagery and historical crop records, to deliver real-time insights into agricultural performance [2][4] Government Collaboration - The solution is designed for government ministries focused on food security and threat assessment, providing dashboards for monitoring agricultural goals and crop yield progress [4] - Rwanda's Minister of ICT & Innovation highlighted the potential of AI-enabled solutions to improve decision-making and build a resilient food system [4] Digital Transformation - Government Data Intelligence for Agriculture is part of Oracle's Digital Government Suite, which addresses complex societal challenges through modern solutions [5]

The Trump administration is canceling an annual government effort to gather data on how many Americans struggle to get enough food. https://t.co/7sVyeCNcor ...

The Trump administration is canceling an annual government effort to gather data on how many Americans struggle to get enough food https://t.co/DXrWKP1NWm ...

AI Role - AI serves as an enabler to accelerate and improve the resolution of global challenges [1] - AI is a tool to enhance human capabilities in addressing global challenges, not a replacement for humans [1] Impact & Focus - AI aims to solve global challenges faster, more cost-effectively, and better [1] - Key global challenges include food security, global health, and climate change [1]

Syria's worst drought in decades pushes millions to the brink https://t.co/KmvxTAgOP7 ...

A UN-backed monitor has declared a famine in part of Gaza. Aid groups and Hamas blame Israel, which blames them. Here’s what you need to know https://t.co/nlHAaITdII ...