50 Best Companies to Watch 2024
Cultivating the Future: CropX is Revolutionizing Agronomic Farm Management
The Silicon Review
In an era where the nexus of technology and agriculture is reshaping the future of farming, CropX stands out as a pioneer. Founded in New Zealand in 2013, the company has rapidly evolved into a leading agronomic farm management system, utilizing AI and machine learning to transform farm data into actionable insights. With a mission to ensure food security and sustainability, CropX has developed a system that is both powerful and easy to use, connecting real-time conditions with agronomic knowledge to provide farmers with the guidance they need to thrive. From its origins in New Zealand, CropX has expanded its influence across four continents, establishing offices in the United States, the Netherlands, Israel, and New Zealand. This global presence is not just a testament to its rapid growth but also a strategic move to harness diverse agricultural expertise. Each location contributes unique strengths: New Zealand’s innovative soil sensor technology, Israel’s expertise in water-efficient irrigation, the Netherlands' advancements in digital agriculture, and the United States' proficiency in precision irrigation systems.
The company’s growth has been marked by strategic acquisitions, each adding a layer of expertise and technological capability. In 2019, CropX acquired CropMetrics in Nebraska, a precision irrigation company specializing in pivot irrigation systems. This was followed by the acquisition of Regen in New Zealand in 2020, enhancing CropX’s capabilities in effluent management for livestock operations. The 2021 acquisition of Dacom Farm Intelligence in the Netherlands brought over 30 years of experience in disease control, irrigation, and crop recording technologies. The latest acquisitions of Tule Technologies in California and Green Brain in Australia have further expanded CropX’s technological arsenal and market reach, solidifying its position as a leader in the field.
The CropX Agronomic Farm Management System: Powerful, Proven, and User-Friendly
At the heart of CropX’s offerings is its agronomic farm management system, a digital platform that synthesizes data from soil to sky, providing farmers with a comprehensive view of their operations. The system is designed to be intuitive and accessible, allowing farmers to manage numerous fields from a single account.
Powerful yet Simple Interface: The CropX dashboard is a user-friendly interface that provides key information at a glance. Customizable views allow users to prioritize the data that matters most to them, whether it's hardware status, field conditions, or agronomic insights. The ability to manage multiple fields from one dashboard and communicate in-app with connected users and fields streamlines operations and enhances efficiency.
Data Collection and Processing: CropX transforms complex data sets into actionable insights through a combination of proprietary crop models, farm machinery data, and information from various sources such as soil depths, weather conditions, and topography. This data-driven approach ensures that farmers receive accurate and timely recommendations tailored to their specific needs.
Dependable Hardware: The system’s sensors, which are easy to install, capture crucial data from below the ground, providing insights into soil moisture, nutrient levels, and other vital parameters. This information allows the CropX system to generate recommendations before plants show signs of stress, enabling proactive management.
Driving Sustainability and Profitability
CropX’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The company focuses on creating a resilient food system that balances environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic growth.
Increasing Farm Profitability: By optimizing input use, reducing fuel and labor costs, and increasing operational efficiency, CropX helps farmers boost productivity and profitability. The system’s precision operations ensure that resources are used effectively, minimizing waste and maximizing yield.
Improving Crop Yields: Commercial trials have consistently demonstrated a 10-15% increase in crop yields with CropX, often while reducing inputs. This is achieved through precise irrigation and timely application of crop protection chemicals and fertilizers. Maximizing yield per acre not only enhances profitability but also helps reduce the need for expanding agricultural lands, mitigating the impact on natural ecosystems.
Reducing Fresh Water Use: Water scarcity is a growing concern, and agriculture accounts for 70% of fresh water use globally. CropX addresses this challenge by providing precise irrigation recommendations based on real-time soil moisture data, plant water use, and weather forecasts. This approach has led to significant water savings, with some farms reducing water use by up to 50% while increasing yields.
Enhancing Supply Chain Transparency: CropX facilitates connections, traceability, and transparency throughout the supply chain, helping growers and agribusinesses meet sustainability standards. Remote monitoring and validation services enable food companies to offer sustainability incentives to their suppliers and ensure responsible production practices.
The Human Element: Expertise and Innovation
The success of CropX is not just due to its technological prowess but also its team of experts in farming, agronomy, hydrology, machine learning, engineering, and technology. This diverse group of professionals collaborates to create a synergy that drives innovation and practical solutions. Many team members are farmer-employees who bring invaluable on-the-ground insights, ensuring that CropX’s solutions are grounded in real-world experience.
Case Studies: Real-World Impact
CropX’s impact is best illustrated through the success stories of its users. One notable example is a sugar cane farm that experienced a 70% increase in yield and a significant boost in grower profit after implementing the CropX system. Another case study highlights a farm that reduced water use by 57% while increasing yields by 14%, showcasing the system’s ability to optimize resource use and enhance productivity.
In partnership with leading agricultural companies like Syngenta, CropX is also expanding its influence in the seed corn sector, providing solutions that bridge information gaps and support sustainable farming practices.
A Vision for the Future
As CropX continues to innovate and expand its reach, its vision remains clear: to transform farming through technology, ensuring a future of food security on a healthy and thriving planet. By delivering powerful agronomic value with solutions that are simple to use, CropX is changing the way we farm, one field at a time.
In a world where the challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and food security loom large, CropX offers a beacon of hope. Through its advanced agronomic farm management system, the company is not only enhancing farm productivity and profitability but also driving sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector. As CropX looks to the future, its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and farmer-centric solutions will continue to shape the landscape of modern agriculture, ensuring that the farms of today are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Tomer Tzach, CEO