As world leaders gather in Davos next week, a special Newsweek event will spotlight how cutting-edge tech can reshape agriculture to fight climate change and boost food security. This one-day forum promises bold ideas from top executives, teasing solutions that could change farming forever and spark global action.
Spotlight on the AgriTech Event
The Newsweek AgriTech Event kicks off on January 22 at the Hotel Parsenn in Davos, Switzerland. It runs alongside the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, drawing attention to agriculture’s role in a warming world.
This gathering brings together innovators from tech giants and startups to tackle pressing issues like sustainable farming and climate resilience. With food systems under strain from extreme weather and population growth, the event aims to bridge gaps between technology and real-world farming needs.
Organizers expect lively debates on how digital tools can cut waste and increase yields without harming the planet. Attendees will hear from experts who are already testing these ideas in fields around the globe.
The forum’s timing is spot on, as recent reports show agriculture contributes about 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2023 study by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
One key draw is the chance to see how companies are using data to make smarter decisions on farms.
Diving into the Panels and Discussions
Four main panels will drive the day’s talks, each focusing on a vital part of agritech’s future.
The first, called The Digital Soil, explores building data-driven bases for sustainable agriculture. Speakers will share how sensors and AI can monitor soil health in real time.
Next up is Higher Yields, Lower Impact, which looks at farming more with less resources. This includes ideas like precision irrigation that saves water while growing healthier crops.
The third panel, Financing the Future of Food, tackles how to fund these innovations in a tight economy. It will cover investments in tech that help small farmers compete.
Finally, The Next Generation of Crop and Climate Challenges wraps up with talks on resilient crops and adapting to weather shifts.
Moderators include Newsweek’s own Gabriel Snyder and Matthew Tostevin, plus Daniela Di Gianantonio from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Their guidance ensures discussions stay practical and forward-looking.
Here’s a quick look at what each panel promises:
- Digital Soil: Focus on AI and sensors for better soil management.
- Higher Yields, Lower Impact: Strategies to boost output while cutting environmental harm.
- Financing the Future: Ways to scale up funding for agritech startups.
- Crop and Climate Challenges: Innovations in genetics and climate-smart farming.
These sessions build on trends like the rise of IoT in agriculture, which a recent market report predicts will hit $34.71 billion by 2035, growing at over 11 percent yearly.
Top Voices Shaping the Conversation
A stellar lineup of speakers will share their expertise, representing a mix of big corporations and nimble startups.
Jim Andrew from PepsiCo will discuss sustainable farming practices that prioritize farmers. Philipp Herzig of SAP plans to highlight AI’s role in data analytics for agriculture.
Other standouts include Feroz Sheikh from Syngenta Group, who focuses on digital tools for crop protection, and Ido Margalit of BetterSeeds, a company using CRISPR tech for climate-resilient crops.
This diverse group underscores a key point: agritech isn’t just about gadgets; it’s about creating systems that work for everyone from smallholders to global suppliers.
Jay McEntire of Arva Intelligence will talk about connected intelligence in farming, while Hunter Swisher from Phospholutions shares advances in sustainable fertilizers.
Pasi Vainikka from Solar Foods brings insights on alternative proteins, and Ross Hendron of Wild Bioscience covers biotech for better yields.
The list goes on with leaders like Kalyan Kumar from HCLSoftware and Karmesh Vaswani from Infosys, all pushing for tech that conserves resources.
Their combined efforts reflect a shift toward regenerative agriculture, where practices like improved water management can slash emissions, as noted in a 2026 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Broader Impact on Global Food Security
Beyond the panels, the event draws a wide audience from key organizations, highlighting agriculture’s ties to bigger global goals.
Reps from the UN Global Compact, World Food Programme, Google, Ericsson, the Gates Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Nestlé will attend. This mix shows how agritech links to climate action and food security worldwide.
For everyday people, these innovations could mean more stable food prices and less environmental damage. Farmers might use drones to spot pests early, saving crops and reducing chemical use.
A 2025 recap from Agritech Digest points out that last year saw huge strides in rural tech, from soil sensors to smart decisions tailored to local needs.
| Key Agritech Trends for 2026 | Description | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Drones | Detect pests and monitor fields | Reduces crop loss by up to 20% |
| Precision Farming | Uses data for targeted resource use | Saves water and boosts yields |
| Climate-Resilient Crops | Genetically adapted to weather changes | Ensures food supply in harsh conditions |
| Sustainable Fertilizers | Low-impact alternatives | Cuts emissions while maintaining soil health |
This table captures some of the tech set to dominate, based on industry forecasts.
Events like this could speed up adoption, especially in regions hit hard by climate shifts, like parts of Asia and Africa where small farms feed millions.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Not everything is smooth sailing in agritech. Speakers will likely address hurdles like high costs for new tech and the need for better training for farmers.
For instance, while AI can transform operations, many rural areas lack reliable internet, slowing progress.
Yet, optimism runs high. Innovations like those from Ecorobotix, using AI robots for precise weed control, show promise in saving soil and reducing chemicals.
A white paper from the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture, released in 2025, reported a 20-fold increase in bird populations on farms using these methods, plus better water infiltration.
The real win could be scaling these ideas to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050 without wrecking the planet.
Discussions may also touch on policy needs, like incentives for green farming, to make these techs accessible.
As the event nears, it serves as a reminder that collaboration across sectors is key to turning challenges into wins.
In a world facing rising hunger despite tech advances, the Newsweek AgriTech Event in Davos stands out as a beacon of hope, uniting bold thinkers to redefine farming for a sustainable future. It reminds us that smart innovations can protect our planet while feeding billions, sparking real change in how we grow food. What do you think about these agritech breakthroughs, and how might they impact your daily life? Share your thoughts and pass this article along to friends on social media to keep the conversation going.
