By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
In an endorsement for agtech innovation, Singapore’s Farmdar has secured funding from ADB Ventures, the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank. This strategic investment highlights the ADB’s support for Farmdar’s efforts to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture across the emerging Asia region. Farmdar harnesses AI and satellite technologies to provide farmers and agri-businesses with real-time insights that help lower costs, bolster yields, improve crop quality, reduce waste and build resilience to climate challenges.
Farmdar’s key products include CropScan, an AI- and satellite-powered platform that gives agri-businesses insights to plan more effectively, and YieldPro, a crop monitoring system that helps farmers and businesses raise yields, lower input costs and adapt to changing climate conditions.
With the capital infusion, Farmdar plans to ramp up the rollout of its AI-driven precision agriculture tools, widening its reach to more farmers and agri-businesses throughout South and Southeast Asia through an expanded long-term partnership with ADB Ventures. Also backed by returning investors such as Indus Valley Capital and Moment Ventures, this funding round will help Farmdar cement its presence in established markets while rolling out pilots in new regions across Asia, reflecting solid investor backing for its expansion plans in agtech.
“Farmdar harnesses satellite data and AI-powered analytics to tackle critical challenges in agriculture and its supply chain. With ADB’s strong presence in the sector, this collaboration creates a unique opportunity to scale Farmdar’s solutions across Southeast Asia, advancing climate resilience and adaptation at a transformative level,” said Arsalan Farooquee, from ADB Ventures.
“We are excited for ADB Ventures to join us on our bold journey to transform lives and impact society,” said Muhammed Bukhari, Co-founder and CEO. “Farmdar is already deeply committed to Asia. Partnering with ADB, with its rich institutional history and legacy, will enable us to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.”
This funding comes at a pivotal moment for agriculture in Asia, where farming communities are grappling with intensifying climate risks, dropping yields and unpredictable supply chains. Now more than ever, farmers, agri-businesses, financial institutions and governments seek tools to monitor conditions on the ground, forecast change, and make speedy decisions to keep things running smoothly. Farmdar seeks to fill that gap, from seeds and pest control to fertilizers, food processing, equipment, advanced tech and finance, handling key crops like wheat, rice, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, potatoes and a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Farmdar’s platform provides detailed crop insights, covering essential basics like exact locations, acreage and crop varieties, along with yield estimates and harvest timing. The system also includes predictions for potential diseases or pest outbreaks as well as data on plant health, stress indicators, nutrient levels, soil composition, high-yield zones, and moisture,all pulled from current or years-long historical data. The company harnesses AI alongside satellite technology to generate accurate, practical crop data that guides better choices in farming. So far, Farmdar has scanned over 500 million acres, helping agri-businesses and related industries improve operations and manage sustainability issues.
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