The agtech ecosystem stands at a critical juncture, balancing the immense potential of innovative technologies against the backdrop of capital constraints and a struggling agricultural economy. The challenges are multifaceted, with 2025 proving to be another tough year for startups seeking funding. Investors have increasingly favored later-stage companies, shifting their focus from biologicals to robotics and broader AI interests, as highlighted in AgTechNavigator’s state of funding report.
The agricultural industry faces significant labor challenges, exacerbated by an aging workforce and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. To mitigate these issues, automation and robotics are seen as essential tools. The Trump administration has also introduced several policy changes, including a $12 billion assistance package to farmers in 2026 to address market volatility, with additional support expected in 2026.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement have significantly influenced food and agriculture policy. Advocating for regenerative agriculture and a diet rich in protein with fewer processed foods, the USDA announced a $700 million commitment to regenerative agriculture through existing programs, supported by HHS.
This complex landscape sets the stage for the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco, scheduled for March 17-18, 2026. The event will feature pre-show programming on March 16, focusing on AI in agriculture and innovation in action. For more information and to register, visit the event’s website. AgTechNavigator readers can enjoy a special 10% discount with the promo code ATN10.
The summit will delve into the transformative potential of AI in agriculture. Initially, AI promised to address a wide range of issues, and it is now helping farmers derive more actionable insights from vast amounts of data. Physical AI is crucial for robotics and automation companies, which are becoming increasingly important in the agricultural sector.
A panel on the first day, titled “Translating AI Experiments into Real-World Value in Agriculture,” will explore the capabilities of small and large language models in agriculture and their practical applications. Moderated by a member of UC Davis, the panel will include leaders from Google, Syngenta, BASF, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Following this, the discussion will shift to robotics and automation in the panel “Robotics & Autonomy: The New Agricultural Workforce,” featuring representatives from Kubota, CNH Industrial, AgZen, and Tavant.
The first day will conclude with investors from Khosla Ventures, FCC Capital, Temasek, and Novo Holdings discussing the new age of ag intelligence and venture models to rebuild capital flows. They will share insights on investment trends and lessons learned from the market correction following the Covid-era hype.
On the second day, the summit will expand its focus to cover the broader agricultural economy and government policy, as well as highlight women in agriculture through the return of World Agri-Tech’s breakfast briefing. The opening panel, “The Next Food Frontier: Healthy Supply, Stable Markets, Resilient System,” will discuss how the agricultural system can respond to climate and market shifts while meeting the demand for healthy and nutritious foods. The panel will feature representatives from HHS, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and KPMG, moderated by a member of Stanford University.
Later in the day, the farm economy will be scrutinized in a panel discussion with representatives from Agribank, CoBank, Farm Credit Council, and Farm Credit Services of America. They will explore how farm financing is evolving amid market volatility and how data can help build resilient agribusinesses.
These sessions are just a glimpse of the comprehensive agenda at the 2026 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco. For more details and to register, visit the event’s website.