At ChangeNOW 2026: Inside BetterSoil’s Farming Technology

PARIS – At ChangeNOW 2026, conversations around climate innovation extended far beyond renewable energy and carbon markets. Among the exhibitors focusing on agriculture and land restoration was BetterSoil Global, a company using satellite data and crop analysis to help farmers rebuild soil health through tailored crop rotation.

In an interview with Earth Rwanda during ChangeNOW 2026, Mark Solway, Head of Product Management and Development at BetterSoil Global, explained how the company is developing a platform designed to make regenerative farming practices more accessible and data-driven.

“We’re trying to democratize the selection of crops and make it specific to the field in question,” Solway said.

The company’s approach combines several layers of agricultural data. Satellite imagery is used to monitor soil fertility and crop performance over a five-year period, while climate information helps assess seasonal conditions and temperatures in specific locations. The system also integrates soil sample databases and information provided directly by farmers, including previous crops, field location and future planting plans.

Using that data, BetterSoil generates customized crop rotation recommendations aimed at restoring nutrients naturally depleted by intensive farming.

One of the startup’s primary concerns is nitrogen loss; a growing issue in heavily cultivated farmland. According to Solway, many farmers in Northern Europe leave fields bare during winter months, exposing soil to erosion caused by rain and wind. Over time, this reduces nitrogen, carbon and other essential minerals.

BetterSoil’s proposed solution centers on cover crops and regenerative planting cycles. Certain crops, particularly legumes and beans, naturally restore nitrogen levels by fixing it into the soil through their root systems.

“The intention is that there will be more nitrogen in the soil at the end of the crop rotation than there was at the beginning,” Solway said. “Effectively, it requires less use of chemicals or fertiliser to achieve that goal.”

The company has so far concentrated its efforts on Germany’s potato sector, where declining soil quality has become an increasing concern despite improvements in fertilizers and agricultural productivity.

“The amount of potatoes being generated in Northern Europe in the last 20 years has been going down every year because the soil quality is getting worse,” Solway said. “Despite the fact that the crops have improved, despite the fact that the fertilisers have improved, in reality there’s nothing left in the soil.”

While the project is currently focused on Europe, BetterSoil Global says its technology was designed for broader global use. The startup sees potential applications across Africa and Asia, including for crops such as rice and plantain.

“We’ve designed the entire system so it can be used anywhere,” Solway said.

As climate change and soil degradation continue to challenge global food systems, regenerative agriculture has become an increasingly important topic among climate innovators and policymakers alike.

At ChangeNOW 2026, BetterSoil Global reflected a wider trend among climate-focused startups: using technology not only to improve agricultural efficiency, but also to restore the long-term resilience of farmland itself.