Top Food & Ag Insights for AsiaPac This Week

Can organic farming feed the world? China’s retreat from US corn makes it cheaper for rest of Asia; Calling AgriTech Startups to join accelerator program; Latest funding; and much more!

Author

Team Further
May 27, 2025

Hi there! Welcome to Further Insights’ 1st edition! We created Further because Asia-Pacific’s Food & Agriculture sector faces urgent challenges - but also vast opportunities. From declining yields to climate and geopolitical uncertainty, the region is responding with innovation, investment, and new talent. But there’s more to do!

After connecting with hundreds of stakeholders, we launched Further to supercharge capital flow into the sector, starting with this newsletter. Further Insights is designed to cut through the noise, delivering sharp, actionable insights on Food & Ag innovation and resilience in Asia-Pacific.

Our goal? Spark collaboration for a future of abundant, nutritious, and sustainable food. Join us! Check out our mission here or dive into the first edition below.

Wishing you great days ahead,

Can organic farming feed the world? A Balinese initiative thinks so

Astungkara Way is amongst six global finalists in the prestigious Swedish Food Planet Prize

Food Planet Prize | Indonesia | Organic | Regen

China’s Retreat From US Corn Makes It Cheaper for Rest of Asia

Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea are ramping up purchases of cheaper American grain

Ukragro | China | USA | Tarriffs

Thai dairy-free startup MUU raises funds for SEA expansion

A2D Ventures and Japanese investors back maker of eco-friendly milk alternatives

Tech in Asia | Thailand | Funding | MUU

Eratani closes Series A to boost food security and rice production across Indonesia

Empowering Indonesian rice farmers with tech to enhance yields and livelihoods

AgFunder News | Indonesia | Funding | Eratani

Calling for AgriTech Startups

Join ClimAccelerator’s program powered by Climate KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community

Better Earth Ventures | AsiaPac | Accelerator

⏰ Other News

The 6 APAC startups turning microbes into climate solutions

From rice field bacteria to fermented bioplastics, regional innovators leverage microbial solutions for decarbonization

Asia Climate Hub | Startups | Climate | Microbes

Albatros AI platform to streamline and reduce costs for the development of fermentation-based ingredients

It optimizes microbial fermentation to transform food waste into valuable ingredients faster

Protein Production | AI | Fermentation | Albatros

Indonesia's food plan risks to be the world's largest deforestation

Military-backed rice project in Papua is a serious threat to pristine forests and Indigenous lands, despite food security aims

The Jakarta Post | Indonesia | Food Security | Deforestation

Seed money: how Asia’s small farmers are quietly reshaping big food

Asian smallholders forge profitable partnerships with businesses that provide inputs, training, and guaranteed markets

Asian Development Blog | Farmers | Big Food

Climate-adapted agricultural inputs to grow by 6-7% annually until 2030

As investors target food security solutions, Temasek and BCG study reveals

Eco-Business | Climate | Inputs

Newly discovered compounds can delay flowering in plants

Helping leafy crops maintain their nutritional quality for longer periods, offering potential to boost crop yields and adapt to climate change

Asian Scientist | New Discovery | Crops | Yields

PepsiCo APAC eyes more partnerships with the 10 finalist startups from its latest accelerator programme

Fostering startups in sustainability, offering grants and mentorship

Food Navigator Asia | Startups | PepsiCo | Acceleration

Asean seeks to strengthen US economic ties amid tariffs

Asean opts for diplomacy, plans US trade talks to mitigate tariff effects, prioritizing open markets

Bangkok Post | Asean | US | Tariffs | Food Security

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