Fyto, a California-based agri-tech startup founded by former MIT researcher Jason Prapas, is transforming modern farming with an automated cultivation system that uses duckweed (Lemna) to produce high-protein feed and eco-friendly fertilizers. Grown in shallow pools filled with nitrogen-rich wastewater from dairy farms, Lemna doubles in biomass every two days and requires minimal land, labor, or water.
At the heart of Fyto’s innovation are massive agricultural robots — possibly the largest in the world — that monitor Lemna’s health, detect nutrient deficiencies, and harvest optimally using AI-powered insights. This closed-loop system addresses waste management, input costs, and climate sustainability, offering a new model for future-ready agriculture.
Prapas began prototyping Lemna farming in kiddie pools before launching Fyto in 2019. He partnered with MIT alumna Valerie Peng, now head of engineering, to scale the solution. Fyto’s systems, currently in pilot across farms, are expanding in size — from 50 to 160 feet — with plans to sell directly to farmers.
Already licensed for fertilizer and awaiting feed approval in California, Fyto’s model aligns with the global push toward regenerative agriculture. From dairy farms to cheese producers, its nutrient-recovery solution is gaining attention as a scalable, sustainable farming method.