Winter 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the Winter 2024 Edition of the AgTech Ireland Newsletter

Save the Date:
21 May 2025 – Transforming Agriculture with Artificial Intelligence
An AgTech Ireland Conference for agri-stakeholders. In partnership with the Irish Farmers’ Journal.
Location: The Curragh Racecourse
More information in “Our Plans for 2025” section of this newsletter.

As I take over the Chair, I want to express my appreciation for my predecessor, founding outgoing Chair Padraig Hennessy, for his vision and hard work in setting up AgTech Ireland back four years ago. At the time, a few of us felt we needed an industry body that would enable our agtech companies to interact with policymakers, researchers and the public. We wanted to establish a real voice articulating our sector’s key role in accompanying farmers as they respond to the climate, environmental, economic and societal challenges which weigh on agriculture.

Thanks to Padraig’s leadership of our Board, and his ability to make connections among stakeholders at home and abroad, we now have over 50 member companies. AgTech Ireland has become the go-to organisation for government, state agencies, universities, the media and the public.

We have signed an MOU and collaborate regularly with our counterpart AgriTech New Zealand. We have taken our members on fact finding missions to Brussels, the Netherlands, and next January, Paris – to explore the regulatory, financing and market opportunities. In the process, we have established connections with organisations in those countries which we are building upon.

We have offered information engagements with the Department of Agriculture on TAMS, with farm tax experts on recent changes to VAT on the purchase by non-registered farmers of fixed equipment, and more. AgTech Ire have joined forces with organisations like the ASA to run events relevant to our members. We have produced and published comprehensive election manifestos and pre-budget submissions to raise politician’s’ awareness of our sector’s essential role in agriculture and the rural economy, as well as its financing needs. We have established ourselves as a credible, professionally run organisation, with solid governance.

My ambition for AgTech Ireland as incoming Chair is to grow our membership and our activities to optimise the value we return to our members. As well as a trip to Paris to explore the French agtech ecosystem, an information session with ISIF and other financers on Financing AgTech at Every Stage, we plan a major national Conference on Transforming Agriculture with AI, in partnership with the Irish Farmers’ Journal. This will take place on 21st May 2025 at the Curragh Racecourse, and will gather C-suite executives and decision makers from all agri-stakeholders who want to better understand how AI can play a transformative role in all aspects of their businesses.

We also plan networking events, discussion panels, visits hosted by our member companies and more.

No organisation functions without adequate resources, and we now need to better match our revenue to our ambitions. To do this we are increasing our very reasonable membership rates from 2025. And we will continue to recruit additional members to improve our representativeness as well as our resources.

To best support you and our sector, we need your support!

If you are not yet a member, please contact our COO Catherine Lascurettes at catherine@agtechireland.ie. If you have been a member to date, stay with us, and get involved!

Together, we are stronger, and more impactful!

Lloyd Pearson
Chairperson, AgTech Ireland

AgTech Ireland’s trip to Paris

AgTech Ireland is organising a fact-finding mission to Paris for our member companies from 20th to 22nd January.

With the support of Business France and the Crédit Agricole bank, members will discover the agtech ecosystem in France in the context of its diverse agriculture. Oganisations like La Ferme Digitale and state research agency Inrae. The supports provided for foreign companies wishing to do business in France, how French agtech is financed. A visit to the Irish Embassy to learn more about the close relationship between both countries will be followed by a networking river cruise dinner.

All participants will cover the cost of their own flights and accommodation and public transport costs in Paris. Though suitably located hotels will be suggested, and a detailed itinerary using public transport will be provided ahead. A visit to the Irish Embassy will be the opportunity for a round table discussion involving the Agricultural Attaché and EI personnel, among others. It will be followed by a networking river cruise dinner.

Note, this trip is for members only and the cost will be around €400. Interested? Email our COO Catherine Lascurettes at catherine@agtechireland.ie.

Email Catherine also if you are not yet a member but want to join AgTech Ireland to avail of this and the many other opportunities we provide our members.

A message to Irish agtech companies from Crédit Agricole

Agtech in Ireland is booming, so could it be the moment to see about expansion opportunities abroad? Irish Agtechs are increasingly setting their sights on France. Where there’s a great existing infrastructure for them to tap into, including a bank, Crédit Agricole, who’s the country’s leading financial partner for the agricultural sector. It turns flights of fancy into concrete strategy by offering Irish Agtechs a comprehensive suite of services to support their growth in France.

Finding the right partner: The bank’s expertise is unparalleled: the name literally translates to Agricultural Bank, and they have an international desk covering Ireland headed up by Daniel Floret. He provides tailored support for Irish companies entering the French market. You would be hard pressed to find better local knowledge and sector-specific too, it is a market leader for backing farmers’ investments. €2 out of every €3 invested in the French agricultural sector come from Crédit Agricole!

Serving client requests in more than 90 countries with 54 million clients worldwide and specialist investment funds for agri-food companies, the quality of their services is evident.

Crédit Agricole’s commitment to agricultural innovation is evident in its recent launch of a €300 million investment fund dedicated to supporting the transition of agri-food companies in France. This initiative, coupled with the bank’s extensive network and deep understanding of the French agricultural landscape, positions Crédit Agricole as an ideal partner for Irish Agtech firms looking to make their mark in France.

Want to learn more? Read the full article on our website or contact Daniel Floret, Head of International Desk for Ireland, the UK & Nordics at daniel.floret@ca-cib.com.

AgTech Ireland launches “living document” manifesto

*The new AgTech Ireland board at the launch of the “living document” General Election 2024 manifesto, Understanding the transformative impact of agtech on Irish agriculture*
*(Photo: Philip Doyle)*

Catherine Heffernan of MSD Animal Health Ireland, and Conan Condon of Alltech Ireland were elected new Directors to the Board of AgTech Ireland at our AGM on 21st October last. Catherine and Conan succeed outgoing founder members of AgTech Ireland Ursula Kelly, of Cormac Tagging, and Sean Smith, of startup Micron Agritech.

Chairperson Lloyd Pearson paid tribute to Ursula and Sean for their hands on contribution to the setting up of the organisation, and helping it become what it is today.

He also welcomed new Directors Catherine and Conan.

The new Board met on 25th November to launch its General Election 2024 “living document” manifesto Understanding the transformative impact of agtech on Irish agriculture.

The purpose of the document is not so much a shopping list for the demands from the sector as an effort to raise awareness among candidates and parties of its critical role in the agricultural landscape. It is important that politicians realise how it supports the sustainable development of Irish agriculture, and generates economic activity, export earnings and employment in rural Ireland. The strength of our manifesto is that it uses practical case studies showcasing the products and solutions agtech companies have developed to meet the needs and challenges on Ireland’s farms.

More case studies will be added to the document over the coming weeks, so that it will become a resource to inform stakeholders and the public on our dynamic sector.

AgTech Ireland – AgriTech New Zealand joint webinars: Global Agtech Exchange

The first in a series of three Global AgriTech Exchange joint webinars with AgriTech New Zealand took place on 10th October last, and focused on drivers, policies and trends in both countries. Ably MCd by AgriTech NZ CEO Brendan O’Connell, Irish speakers included AgTech Ireland Directors Padraig Hennessy and David Leydon, former MEP Colm Markey, while NZ speakers included AgriTech NZ Chair Bridgit Hawkins, KPMG’s Andrew Watene and CountryWide Media’s Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Some of the key takeaways:

The new NZ government has stopped financial supports for agriculture’s sustainability transition but expects a doubling of agri exports.
Funding of agtech enterprises is challenged by long development cycles,volatility and low level of farm margins, and lack of clear exit strategies. Funding support through CAP schemes in Ireland is helpful, but not optimal.
Both countries face global geopolitical tensions, changing demographics, rising regulations on data, governance, environment, global climate-related migration.
“Uneconomical farming” is seen as a bigger risk by retailers than agribusinesses.
While”regulators bark, but retailers bite”, legislation and policies are increasingly dictating the pace. EU legislation (e.g. products from deforested areas) is doing so on a global basis.
The Blue Economy (marine) is missing from the conversation in both countries.
Most agribusinesses anticipate proactively customers’ sustainability demands.
On AI: few agribusiness leaders are confident of their understanding.
AD is emerging as an additional revenue generator for agribusiness in NZ, but struggling with planning in Ireland.
Lower tech agtech solutions can work in low income countries to supply own protein production.
The evolving environmental policies in NZ have enabled agtech. The pace of regulation is now more influential than market demands.
The public’s erosion of trust in food production and systems is a challenge for all.
The market does not pay for sustainability – we need other ways to fund it, including carbon farming.
Ireland and NZ are outliers in producing grass based meat and milk, and those systems are poorly understood in the global environmental debate.
Top challenge for our industry: prove and validate the efficacy of the solutions designed and marketed to farmers!

Watch out for episode 2 and 3:

Late March 2025 – Progress on farm with technology
July 2025 – Innovation pipelines

Some of our plans for 2025

21/05/2025 Transforming Agricultur with AI – Curragh Racecourse
Organised by AgTech Ireland in partnership with the Irish Farmers’ Journal, Transforming Agriculture with Artificial Intelligence is a major Conference to consider AI in agriculture, its potential, its limitations, and its uses beyond fear or hype.
Our Conference is open to all interested senior executives in agribusinesses, industry stakeholders and farmers.

With exceptional expert speakers, we will explore the background, evolution and EU regulatory framework for AI; consider practical examples of its use in agtech and agrifood businesses; ask how it can support farmers in facing the big challenges of N derogation, animal health and more; and finally get some practical advice on using AI in agri-business processes as well as products and services.

Stay in touch for more details in coming weeks.

20/01 to 22/01/2025 – Trip to Paris
To explore the French agtech business ecosystem with support from Business France and Crédit Agricole. (See details in article above).

February 2025 (date TBC) – Financing Agtech Development
An information session to engage with ISIF and other investment providers for the agtech sector, followed by networking lunch. This will be in person, most likely held in AgTech UCD at Lyon’s Farm.

Global Agtech Exchanges – Episode 2 and 3 – March and July 2025
Following on from the first episode of this series, run jointly with AgriTech New Zealand, and which focused on drivers, trends and policy direction in the sector in New Zealand and Ireland, episodes 2 and 3 will consider farm adoption and progress, and innovation pipelines, respectively.

To be developed:

Visit of member business with thematic discussion panel and networking lunch
With Teagasc – Review of 2025 programme of Open Days and other events with a view to securing exhibition and participation of member companies.
Included in this: Moorepark Open Day June 2025.

We develop activities and networking opportunities all through the year. Keep an eye on our communications for information sessions, discussion panels, networking opportunities, lobbying meetings and other events which may be run in collaboration with other organisations.

AgTech Ireland is the sector’s go-to representative

AgTech Ireland is increasingly viewed by government departments, agencies, universities and other research organisations, like Teagasc, incoming trade missions as well as agribusiness stakeholders as the representative body for the sector.

This means AgTech Ireland is in a unique position to raise awareness, advocate for the sector, promote its importance in supporting Irish agriculture and farmers in improving resource efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Our Chair, Board members and COO are regularly asked to speak at or participate in various events and forums to represent the sector. In the last few months alone, our COO has addressed incoming trade missions. Including from Jordan in October hosted at AgTech UCD Lyons; academic and industry forums, including a UCD symposium on Future Food Systems; and even a discussion on the Future of Agriculture, in French, organised by the French Embassy at Dublin’s Alliance Française!

Meet Our Members!

Our members now features in a special page on our website. Each logo can be clicked to find out more about members, their products or services, and access their websites and social media platforms.

We plan to start a “Member of the Week” social media posting campaign in the new year, to showcase one of our members each week. So look out for the dynamic, innovative AgTech Ireland member companies!

AgTech Career Opportunities

AgTech Ireland member companies are hiring. Check out some of the exciting roles available:

Senus (formerly Farmeye) are looking for a Business Development Associate for the UK and Irish markets. See here.
Cormac Tagging are looking for Temporary General Operators and Dispatchers for their Tuam Team. See here.
Tirlán have vacancies for Quality Assurance Manager, Sales Manager, Shift Manager, General Operatives and more. See here.
JFC Group are currently recruiting General Operators, Design Engineers and others, based in Ireland or the UK. See here.
Pearson Milking Technology are looking for new team members due to their continued expansion. See here.

If you are hiring, get in touch with us and we will share as part of our quarterly newsletter – catherine@agtechireland.ie

AgTech Ireland FAQs

Why join AgTech Ireland?

To access a network of like-minded agribusiness leaders
To contribute to and benefit from advocacy and lobbying campaigns
To attend exclusive agriculture industry events and stakeholder meetings
To join trade missions and field trips engaging with global leaders
To stay in the loop with the latest news and insights
To be part of the unified voice for the agtech ecosystem in Ireland and ensure its success

What is the best way to utilise my AgTech Ireland membership?

Stay in touch: keep an eye on our direct emails, quarterly newsletters such as this one, social media platforms, mainstream media articles to find out about events and other information.
Make sure to participate actively to maximise the opportunities.
Review the member network for opportunities to work with others to enhance your business.
Don’t be afraid to connect on LinkedIn or drop them an email to explore opportunities.
Come forward with ideas. If you have something you feel could benefit the wider sector, reach out to our COO Catherine Lascurettes or one of our Executive Council members.

What other organisations are AgTech Ireland looking to collaborate with?

We work with the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc as well as Enterprise Ireland.
We collaborate with UCD AgTech, the MTU AgriTech Ireland Cluster. We are also looking to work with ICBF, VistaMilk and other domestic organisations in the agricultural sector, and beyond.
We have signed an MOU with AgriTech New Zealand, and are exploring collaboration opportunities with Business France UK and Ireland in our members’ interest.
We plan to create further opportunities internationally utilising our own network. The Enterprise Ireland international network and organisations similar to AgTech Ireland in key markets.

Want to join AgTech Ireland? Email catherine@agtechireland.ie