Rhishi Pethe

About:

Rhishi Pethe is a technology leader with 20+ years in AgriFood, focused on tech innovation, sustainability, and scaling solutions through writing, podcasting, and leadership.

Website:

sftw.substack.com

Specializations:

Writer Podcast Host Product Manager Technology Leader Data and technology strategist Agricultural Engineer

Interests:

Agriculture Food systems Technology Markets and marketplaces Business models Investment and financing Sustainability Scaling innovation Climate change

Outgoing Links:

Credistick Kyle Harrison

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2026-03-08 • technology history agriculture slavery cotton

Technological innovations in the cotton industry transformed production methods, economic structures, and social dynamics, illustrating the critical nature of second-order effects in agriculture.

2026-02-08 • public-private partnership peru irrigation blueberry export counter-seasonality

Peru's emergence as a top blueberry exporter is driven by innovative farming practices, strategic infrastructure, and supportive policies that leverage its unique climatic conditions for counter-seasonal production.

2026-01-18 • automation robotics agricultural technology harvesting lettuce wraps

Automating lettuce harvesting remains a complex challenge due to the precision required, historical labor practices, and ongoing technological advancements in AgTech.

2025-11-17 • agriculture microsoft ai oz land o’lakes

Oz, an AI tool developed by Microsoft and Land O’Lakes, aims to assist agronomists in addressing rising agricultural costs and improving decision-making through extensive data utilization.

2025-11-12 • innovation funding venture capital agricultural technology business credit cards

Steve Sprieser proposes the Merchant Banking Model as a more effective funding strategy for AgTech, addressing the limitations of traditional venture capital in supporting long-term innovations.

2025-10-12 • strategy funding drone technology agricultural technology guardian agriculture

Guardian Agriculture's shutdown illustrates the complexities and challenges of hardware startups in agriculture, emphasizing the need for clear business models and realistic market expectations.

2025-10-05 • nutrition education hms ships of the british navy scurvy history of medicine james lind

The post examines the historical reasons behind the British Navy's delayed adoption of lemon juice to prevent scurvy, despite early evidence of its effectiveness.

2025-09-21 • agriculture safety california assembly bill autonomous trucks labor crisis

Outdated regulations on autonomous tractors in California hinder agricultural productivity and safety, necessitating a repeal for farmers to compete effectively.

2025-08-19 • microbiology organic agriculture plant science soil pollution crop improvement and management

The post highlights the vital role of soil microbes in agriculture, emphasizing their communication with plants and the importance of microbial diversity for crop health.

2025-08-03 • strategy robotics client relations and services market analysis agricultural technology

AgTech companies must navigate complex go-to-market strategies, weighing direct-to-farmer sales against distribution channels while considering unique market contexts and customer relationships.

2025-09-28 • technology data management solar activity agricultural policy precision agriculture

Dr. Terry Griffin explores the complexities of agricultural economics, emphasizing technology's role and the impact of solar flares on farming practices and decision-making.

2025-08-17 • productivity technology automation agriculture combine harvester

The post examines whether the agricultural industry is nearing the limits of combine harvester size and speed, while proposing automation as a potential solution for future productivity gains.

2025-12-03 • sustainable living genetics ai heritable agriculture brad zamft

Brad Zamft shares his journey from physics to plant biology and Heritable Agriculture's mission to make crop genetic improvements affordable and impactful using AI.

2025-10-21 • agriculture microbiology soil science and management cover crops crop rotation

Soil management practices significantly influence the soil microbiome, affecting microbial communities and their roles in agriculture and soil health.

2025-08-13 • agriculture biotechnology genetic engineering food security ai

Dr. Channa Prakash emphasizes the critical role of biotechnology and AI in addressing food security and climate challenges while advocating for public understanding of these technologies.

2025-08-06 • sustainable living fintech climate adaptation and resilience ambrook mackenzie burnett

Mackenzie Burnett emphasizes the role of technology and resilience in agriculture, advocating for tailored financial solutions to empower family-run businesses amidst climate challenges.

2026-02-22 • agriculture market trends food safety food technology packaged salads

Technological innovations have propelled packaged salads into a $15.6 billion industry, enhancing convenience, safety, and shelf life for consumers across America.

2026-01-25 • water management and conservation sustainable living climate change agricultural technology irrigation

Yuma's agriculture, heavily dependent on the Colorado River, faces future challenges due to water scarcity, necessitating innovative AgTech solutions for sustainable farming.

2026-01-11 • water management and conservation 2024 events and trends agricultural technology technological change fast fourier transform

SFTW shifts to a free model while addressing the complexities of agriculture and AgTech, emphasizing the need for scalable technology adoption and innovative funding models.

2025-09-14 • innovation venture capital food industry research and development agricultural technology

The post critiques the call for increased R&D in agriculture, arguing that comparisons to tech giants are flawed and highlighting the unique challenges faced by incumbents.

2025-08-10 • agriculture farm mechanization right to repair mobile device upgrade john deere

John Deere's Pro Service Upgrade empowers farmers with repair capabilities, highlighting the cultural and economic implications of the Right to Repair movement in agriculture.

2025-10-29 • sustainable living technology innovation agriculture agricultural technology

Andrew Nelson combines his farming expertise with technology to advocate for sustainable practices and innovative, modular agricultural equipment that enhances productivity and reduces environmental impact.

2025-09-16 • sustainable living microbiology soil pollution agronomy soil testing

Measuring soil health involves understanding various metrics, including organic carbon and microbial activity, to enhance agricultural practices and sustainability.

2025-09-07 • webinar newsletter and rss management content strategy funding agricultural technology

The author transitions to a free newsletter model to broaden audience reach while promoting an upcoming webinar on AgTech funding alternatives.