Artificial intelligence already transforming agriculture, says Snaith firm

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of farming, according to a new white paper.

Croda, which has its HQ in Snaith, near Selby, published a white paper in collaboration with industry leaders and academic partners to explore the impact of AI on agricultural innovation.

The paper draws on expertise from Croda's seed enhancement business, Incotec, and its Crop Protection business, Croda Agriculture, and features contributions from BASF, Rijk Zwaan, Dotmatics, and the University of Amsterdam Business School.

Thomas Riermeier, President, Life Sciences, said: "The question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will influence agricultural innovation.

"It is already transforming the way our industry discovers, develops and delivers solutions to some of agriculture's biggest challenges.

"Unlocking its full potential will require more than algorithms and technology."

The report, titled How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Agricultural Innovation, highlights how AI is accelerating research and development by helping scientists identify new opportunities, extract value from historical data, and improve decision-making.

It also outlines the organisational changes needed to translate AI's promise into real-world outcomes.

A key focus of the report is the need for collaboration across the industry.

Contributors emphasise that progress will increasingly depend on partnerships that connect data, expertise, and insight across the value chain — from researchers and suppliers to manufacturers and growers.

One example highlighted in the paper is the use of X-ray imaging and AI by Incotec to assess tomato seed quality.

By combining imaging data with historical germination records, researchers can identify patterns that inform treatment and selection decisions.

Finn Bauer, Vice President of R&D, Life Sciences, said: "AI is already helping researchers uncover insights from complex scientific data and identify promising opportunities more quickly.

"The greatest impact will come when we combine these emerging capabilities with deep scientific expertise and closer collaboration across the agricultural value chain."