Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), a pioneer in regenerative agriculture, has announced a significant partnership with Turkey-based Topraq, aimed at transitioning farmers in southeast Europe and west and central Asia to regenerative practices. This collaboration seeks to empower citrus, grape, and cotton growers by providing them with advanced tools and agronomic support focused on enhancing soil health and efficient water management, ultimately moving them away from conventional farming methods.
Topraq, which is not only collaborating with AEA but also investing in the company, brings a suite of precision agriculture tools into the partnership. These tools are designed to optimize field management, irrigation, and crop performance, addressing key aspects of agricultural operations. Cem Ertal, CEO of Topraq, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “By combining AEA’s expertise with our technology, we’re empowering farmers to make informed decisions that boost crop performance, lower input costs, and promote environmental sustainability.”
A notable aspect of this partnership is the inclusion of AEA’s plant-health platform, Croptix, which is recognized for its effectiveness in early detection of crop nutrition and diseases. Croptix is particularly valuable for citrus crops, a major focus for Topraq. As Turkey’s exports of grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are expected to rise, the ability to identify early warning signs of diseases such as Huanglongbing (HLB) becomes crucial. HLB is one of the most destructive diseases affecting citrus plants globally, and the Croptix platform offers a proactive approach to managing this risk.
The role of technology in regenerative agriculture has been a hot topic in agrifood circles, especially during discussions at the recent World Agri-Tech summit in London. Experts emphasized that technology should address the specific needs of farmers rather than dictate practices. Matteo Vanotti, CEO of xFarm Technologies, highlighted the importance of a bottom-up approach, stating, “You need to start with the farmers and what is feasible for them.” This sentiment was echoed by Andre Eitner from PepsiCo, who noted that innovation and technology must be integrated into the socio-economic context of local communities.
AEA’s philosophy aligns closely with this approach. Since its inception in 2006, the company has provided a blend of plant nutrients, soil testing services, and data-driven crop nutrition programs to over 10,000 growers in the United States. John Kempf, AEA’s founder and chief vision officer, articulates a vision where regenerative agriculture becomes the norm for more than 80% of the world’s farmers by 2040. He asserts that regenerative agriculture is a combination of observation, intuition, and technology, with the mantra “test, not guess” guiding their practices. This emphasis on precise testing and real-time data is designed to enhance growers’ decision-making processes, ultimately leading to increased yields and profitability.
The partnership between AEA and Topraq marks a significant step towards advancing regenerative agriculture in regions that are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainable farming practices. By leveraging technology and agronomic expertise, the two companies aim to provide farmers with the necessary tools to transition to more sustainable practices, enhancing not only their productivity but also their environmental stewardship. As this collaboration unfolds, it could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other regions, promoting a global shift towards regenerative agriculture.