At Beanstalk, we’re pretty bullish about the potential benefits of AI in agribusiness. It’s tempting to think of AI as a magic bullet, and it certainly can deliver some quick wins. But from our experience, AI tools are delivering the most benefit to the agribusinesses that have already built the right foundation for it to land on.

Agriculture was humanity's first technology: the deliberate working with and influencing natural systems to feed ourselves, beginning around 10,000 years ago. Every leap since; irrigation, mechanisation, the Green Revolution, genomics, all extended that same project. AI is the newest tool and the next evolution in the oldest thing we do. Which is why it's crucial we harness it correctly.

PropaGATE, Western Australia’s first agtech-focused landing pad, has hit a major milestone. Singaporean water treatment company Hydroleap has just installed its electrocoagulation equipment at Spinifex Brewery in WA, believed to be the first trial of this technology at craft brewery scale anywhere. Jolien Paalman shares the journey from global scouting to on-site installation, and reflects honestly on what bridging global innovators and local producers actually takes.

A few months ago we rolled out an AI tool to the whole Beanstalk team. It has been a wild learning journey; and exciting for a team that spends its time advising other organisations on innovation strategy, to be in the hot seat innovating ourselves.

It captures a period of significant momentum for our business and for the businesses and projects that we support.