XtalPi Inc. (XtalPi Holdings-P, XTALPI-P, 2228.HK) today announced the signing of a strategic R&D collaboration agreement with Kula Bio, a pioneer in sustainable agriculture, in Boston. The agreement, valued at over RMB 10 million in R&D services, will leverage artificial intelligence (AI), microbial technology, and automation to jointly develop next-generation organic microbial fertilizers tailored for arid and desert regions. This partnership aims to drive agricultural quality and efficiency improvements, accelerating the transition to green, high-yield farming in China, the Middle East, and globally.
One of Kula Bio’s founders is Professor Daniel Nocera, a Harvard University professor and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2009. Building on Professor Nocera’s core research, Kula Bio has developed microbial fertilizers that outperform traditional chemical fertilizers in performance and cost. These innovations enhance soil fertility, boost crop yields, and reduce environmental pollution, with proven applications across multiple global regions. They offer effective solutions for the global agriculture sector’s shift toward green, low-carbon, and sustainable practices.
This collaboration focuses on tackling soil improvement challenges in extreme environments, developing advanced microbial fertilizers for arid desert areas to transform non-arable land into high-quality farmland. It supports China’s “storing grain in land and technology” strategy. By combining XtalPi’s world-leading AI R&D platform and automated robotic systems with Kula Bio’s expertise in microbial fertilizers, the partners will conduct joint innovation R&D and field trials. Initial applications will roll out in China and the Middle East, paving the way for scalable global deployment in arid regions. This effort will expand arable land, enhance agricultural value and efficiency, and provide efficient, natural, and green alternatives for soil and ecosystem optimization.
Building on recent initiatives, including collaborations with Qicai Zhixin for super-crop breeding and with Hengjian Holding and Shouguang Vegetable Group in AI-driven seed industry development, XtalPi’s partnership with Kula Bio further strengthens its AI + agriculture ecosystem. Through its foundational AI and robotics platform, XtalPi continues to empower the intelligent transformation of modern agriculture, contributing to the development of new productive forces in the sector.
Dr. Harrison Yoon, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kula Bio, stated: “Kula Bio’s breakthrough microbial technology will synergize powerfully with XtalPi’s cutting-edge, AI-driven breeding and microbial design capabilities. With advanced automation, this collaboration will significantly accelerate innovation and market expansion, addressing the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges through next-generation biological solutions.”
Dr. Wen Shuhao, Chairman of XtalPi, added: “We are honored to partner with Kula Bio’s elite team to accelerate the scalable rollout of future green agriculture solutions in global arid regions. This will deliver leading-edge, competitive commercial products to address arable land constraints and achieve sustainable agriculture. Moving forward, XtalPi will deepen AI applications in agricultural modernization, leveraging our AI for Science platform to explore replicable advanced technologies for global food security and supply assurance.”
About Kula Bio
Kula Bio is an innovative leader in sustainable agriculture, dedicated to unlocking the potential of natural microbes as revolutionary alternatives to traditional nitrogen fertilizers. Through proprietary enhanced microbial technologies and precision application systems, Kula Bio delivers environmentally friendly, high-performance, and cost-effective nitrogen fertilizer solutions, driving the agricultural industry toward a greener future. For more information, visit Kulabio.com.
