“Biology has the final say” – Greenda’s CSO on why AI tools must adapt to agricultural ecosystems (Sponsored)

As climate volatility, regulation and buyer expectations rise, the question isn't whether AI can play a role in agriculture, but whether it can operate within biology's parameters. Munich-based AgriTech startup Greenda, founded in 2024, aims to bridge the gap between fragmented farm knowledge and actionable advice. Sabrina Pittroff, Greenda's Chief Scientific Officer and environmental microbiologist, discusses the importance of farmer organisations in AI-enabled decision-making and why ecosystems should be prioritized over overpowering them.

Pittroff explains that entrepreneurship was a natural progression after conducting curiosity-driven research. She highlights the need for scientific integrity and the ability to develop, communicate, and sell the research results. Greenda was born from recognizing the gap between research and real-world application.

Agriculture is unique because it is governed by biology, which ultimately dictates the outcomes. Pittroff emphasizes that while we can build around biology, we cannot override it. She believes that most of the solutions lie in understanding and supporting the healthy ecosystem already designed by biology.

When it comes to data control, most farm data doesn't have a clear owner yet. It often exists in scattered formats, making it difficult to leverage effectively. Pittroff notes that while humans excel at pattern recognition, machines can process data across multiple factors, including plots, seasons, and regions. This is where Greenda aims to step in and make data accessible to the farmers who generated it.

Coops don't buy technology; they buy outcomes. Greenda's solution helps coops achieve their goals, such as maintaining loyal farmer members, healthy orchards, and producing goods that meet market demands. By providing structured data to all farmers, regardless of size or importance, Greenda ensures equal access to insights and empowers technicians to support smaller farmers.

In pest management, Greenda addresses the pain point of farmers receiving inconsistent advice that often ties to product sales. By offering structured data and insights, Greenda enables farmers to make informed decisions about pest control, regardless of their approach. This approach benefits not only organic farmers but also those who rely on conventional methods.