Syngenta Celebrates 25 Years of Agricultural Innovation, Backed by More Than 250 Years of Company History – American Ag Network

Report on Syngenta’s 25th Anniversary and Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

Syngenta, an agribusiness firm formed in 2000 through the merger of Novartis and AstraZeneca, is observing its 25th anniversary. This report analyzes the company’s operations, innovation pipeline, and strategic alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the past quarter-century. The company’s activities are framed by a legacy in the chemical industry dating back to 1758.

2.0 Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture and the SDGs

Syngenta’s corporate strategy demonstrates a significant focus on sustainable agricultural solutions that directly support several key SDGs. The company’s investment in research and development is geared towards enabling farmers to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By developing technologies that increase crop yields, Syngenta contributes to enhancing food security. The objective is to enable farmers to “grow more” to meet the demands of a growing global population.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): A core tenet of the company’s innovation is to facilitate production with fewer resources. This includes reducing the use of land, water, and agricultural inputs, which is central to sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The company’s R&D efforts include a focus on developing solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the agricultural sector.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Syngenta’s commitment extends to preserving terrestrial ecosystems through the promotion of practices that maintain soil health and protect biodiversity.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): With a substantial annual investment in R&D, Syngenta actively drives innovation within the agricultural industry, developing new technologies to address current and future challenges.

3.0 Research, Development, and Product Portfolio

A global investment of over $1.4 billion in research and development annually fuels Syngenta’s innovation pipeline. This investment has resulted in a comprehensive product portfolio designed to support U.S. agriculture. According to company statements, this makes it a leading provider of high-value innovations to the industry.

3.1 Current Portfolio Breakdown

1. Seed Treatments: Approximately 37
2. Herbicides: Approximately 54
3. Fungicides: Approximately 44
4. Insecticides: Approximately 21

3.2 Innovation Pipeline

Syngenta maintains a robust development pipeline aimed at delivering advanced crop management solutions. Notable technologies currently under EPA registration review include TYMIRIUM and PLINAZOLIN, which are designed to meet future agricultural challenges in line with the objectives of SDG 9.

4.0 Leadership and Commemoration

Leadership has affirmed that the company’s impact is rooted in its scientific advancements and industry relationships. Vern Hawkins, President of Syngenta Crop Protection North America, highlighted the role of the company’s R&D engine in adapting solutions for future needs. Jeff Cecil, Head of Marketing for Crop Protection, emphasized the intentional design of products to help growers manage crops effectively and sustainably.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary, a corporate event was held at the North America Crop Protection headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event included a time capsule ceremony, leadership remarks, and community networking, reflecting on the company’s history and future direction.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article focuses on agriculture, innovation for farmers, and enabling them to “grow more,” which is central to achieving food security and ending hunger.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The text heavily emphasizes Syngenta’s commitment to innovation, research and development (R&D), and developing new technologies for the agricultural industry.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The goal of enabling farmers to “grow more using less land, water and inputs” directly relates to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions the company’s goal of “reducing greenhouse gas emissions” through its innovations.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article states a commitment to “preserving soil health and biodiversity,” which are key components of protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.4: Under SDG 2, this target aims to “ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.” The article’s focus on enabling farmers to “grow more using less land, water and inputs” through “sustainable solutions” aligns directly with this target.
• Target 9.5: Under SDG 9, this target seeks to “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers…and public and private research and development spending.” Syngenta’s stated “investment of more than $1.4 billion in research and development globally each year” and its “strong R&D engine and innovation pipeline” are direct contributions to this target.
• Target 12.2: Under SDG 12, this target is to “achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.” The article’s description of innovations that allow farmers to use “less land, water and inputs” supports this goal of resource efficiency.
• Target 13.2: Under SDG 13, this target calls for integrating “climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” While the article discusses corporate strategy rather than national policy, Syngenta’s stated goal of “reducing greenhouse gas emissions” through its work represents an integration of climate action into its business model.
• Target 15.3 & 15.5: Under SDG 15, Target 15.3 aims to “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil,” and Target 15.5 aims to “halt the loss of biodiversity.” The article’s explicit commitment to “preserving soil health and biodiversity” connects to these targets.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 9.5: The article provides a specific, quantifiable indicator: the “investment of more than $1.4 billion in research and development globally each year.” This directly measures private R&D spending.
• Indicator for Target 2.4 & 12.2 (Implied): The phrase “grow more using less land, water and inputs” implies indicators related to agricultural productivity and resource efficiency. Progress could be measured by tracking yield per hectare, crop production per unit of water used, or the reduction in chemical inputs required.
• Indicator for Target 13.2 (Implied): The goal of “reducing greenhouse gas emissions” implies an indicator measuring the total volume of GHG emissions reduced or avoided through the use of Syngenta’s technologies and practices.
• Indicator for Target 15.3 & 15.5 (Implied): The commitment to “preserving soil health and biodiversity” implies the use of indicators such as soil organic matter content, reduction in soil erosion, or biodiversity indices in agricultural landscapes where their products are used.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: americanagnetwork.com