The company now has more than 120 million acres of farmland under management in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and South Africa

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A Vancouver-based agricultural technology company has raised $100 million through a private equity and venture capital firm.

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In a prepared statement released on Wednesday, Semios said the funding from the Boston-based Morningside Group would be used to accelerate its research and development programs and “deployment of solutions to help growers worldwide reduce chemical inputs, better manage water and improve crop outcomes.”

Since being formed in 2010 by current CEO Michael Gilbert the company has raised $225 million — including $100 million that was reported in February 2020 and also came through the Morningside Group.

The February funding was used by the company to take over three other companies working in the same field — Altrac, Centricity and Australian-based Agworld.

In a statement, Morningside Investment Manager Mick Sawka said the firm invests in companies “tackling pressing global challenges.”

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Semios uses technology — including hundreds of thousands of sensors — to mitigate crop risks from threats like drought and pests.

These sensors monitor things like climate, soil moisture and insect and disease activity daily. This is information is processed and advice can be given based on the results.

“Semios is on a mission to simplify the grower’s experience, leveraging big data analytics and machine learning to help them mitigate crop risk so they can focus on growing more food, more sustainably,” Gilbert said.

“We have seen first hand the challenges our customers are facing in the field — from severe drought and devastating fires, to frost, reduced profitability, and an increasing regulatory burden. But, in the face of these challenges, we can help farmers continue to meet the nutritional needs of our growing population.

The company now has more than 120 million acres of farmland under management in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and South Africa.