Horticulture

We hear from AppHarvest, Plenty, Astanor Ventures and an ETH Zurich researcher about how the industry is measuring up against its goal of sustainably contributing to feeding a growing global population.

Controlled environment agriculture has played a part in the Netherlands becoming the second-largest exporter of ag goods, with many new players inspired to replicate the country’s success.

Frederik Östbye says the investment falls under Aliaxis Next’s remit to focus 30% of investments in markets that could impact the water engineering parent company’s business over the long term.

Chairman Dave Chen says the pair will address technological challenges stemming from heat and humidity that could help clear the path for controlled environment agriculture's growth throughout broader Southeast Asia.

The sixth Agri Investor Australia Forum, held in Melbourne this month, covered topics as diverse as natural capital, carbon markets, family office strategies and water.

Capital growth of Australian farmland fell to 3.7% in Q2 2022, with permanent farmland seeing asset values fall on an annualized basis.

The 40-year agreement will see The Rohatyn Group’s JV lease an initial 1,200ha of orchard before a further 1,800ha in FY24.

The vineyards will be held in Primewest Agricultural Trust No. 1, Centuria’s first agriculture investment vehicle, acquired following its merger with Primewest.

The Premium Food Fund has made five investments to date and is 40% committed, with another two or three deals over the next two years set to take it to full deployment.

‘Project Blossom’ has been put up for sale by a WA-based family office investor and comes with significant development potential.