Innovations is the new currency for food security.
As climate change threatens global food production, savvy Agtech companies are racing to develop solutions that make farming more sustainable and resilient.
One company leading the charge is iyris, an agricultural technology firm focused on enhancing crop resilience in extreme climates. With a mix of nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and sustainable farming solutions, iyris is setting new standards for the future of agriculture.
One of iyris’ standout innovations is Second Sky, a revolutionary greenhouse plastic that uses nanotechnology to reduce heat stress on crops while increasing light transmission.
The result? Farmers in scorching regions like Saudi Arabia can now grow crops like cucumbers even in temperatures exceeding 55°C while using 40% less water and reducing cooling energy.
Cracking the Genetic Code for Heat-Resilient Crops
Beyond greenhouse technology, iyris is making waves in genetic engineering. Led by renowned plant scientist Professor Mark Tester, the company has developed a patented polyploid hybridization grafting process—a method that accelerates natural evolution to create crops that withstand heat, salinity, and drought.
The company’s research began with tomatoes, one of the world’s most widely consumed vegetables, but the technology is now being applied to other crops like watermelons and cucumbers. iyris is already deploying its solutions across 15 countries, with key partnerships including Red Sea Global and SABIC, positioning itself as a global leader in climate-adaptive agriculture.
“Our mission is to make it easier to grow fresh produce in difficult climates,” says John Keppler, Executive Chairperson of iyris.
“The demand is there, and we’re delivering solutions that work.”
Could These Innovations Help Nigeria’s Agriculture?
In Nigeria, where low agricultural productivity and food waste remain major challenges, technology could be the game-changer.
According to Timi Oke, CEO of AgroEknor, modern agricultural tools such as precision farming, field sensors, and remote-sensing technologies can increase Nigeria’s average yield per hectare, which currently lags behind many developing nations.
But boosting productivity isn’t enough—reducing post-harvest losses is equally critical. Nigeria’s poor food transport networks and lack of cold storage infrastructure lead to massive food waste.
Oke believes that public-private partnerships—similar to those seen in iyris’ model—could transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector. “Smallholder farmers need access to cutting-edge technologies,” he says. “With the right investments, they can move beyond subsistence farming and become key players in national food production.”
With innovations like heat-resistant crops, nanotech-powered greenhouses, and smarter farming tools, the dream of growing food sustainably in extreme conditions is becoming a reality.
