Sustainable Agriculture

The world needs more food. By 2050, there will be another 3 billion people on our planet. How do we provide enough high-quality food and preserve our environment?

At Syngenta, we believe the answer lies in the boundless potential of plants. We develop new, higher yielding seeds and better ways to protect crops from insects, weeds and disease, so farmers can get more from existing farmland and take less new land into cultivation. It’s just one way in which we’re helping growers around the world to meet the challenge of the future: to grow more from less.

Our business makes a positive contribution to society by helping agriculture tackle important global challenges. By developing innovative products and working with farmers to ensure they are used appropriately, we are contributing to the sustainability of agriculture.

 

 

____________________________________________



What is Sustainability?

Brundtland Report, 1987: Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. 
 

Challenges for Global Agriculture
  • Rise in demand for food
  • Changing dietary choices
  • Water quality and quantity
  • Land use and preserving habitats
  • Demand for biofuels and fibre
  • Climate change and reducing greenhouse gases

      • At Syngenta, we aim to contribute to food security and sustainability in agriculture by helping farmers improve yields on existing land and conserve valuable natural resources such as soil, water and biodiversity.

      Did you know that 60 years ago, farmers had to feed two people from every hectare? Their grandchildren now have to feed more than twice as many. And the pressure on land continues to grow.

      Without Syngenta products, around 80 million tonnes of corn and 40 million tonnes of cereals would be lost to insects, weeds and disease each year around the world. Now more than ever, we need to build on sustainable farming practices that will keep our land fruitful for future generations. 
       

      ____________________________________________

       
       

      What is Sustainable Agriculture?

       

      Sustainable agriculture is a balance between social, environmental and economic priorities.

      This means producing sufficient, affordable, quality food, while protecting the environment and biodiversity and ensuring farming is economically viable and contributes to the well being of local communities, while maintaining the ability to do all of this in the long term. Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of what Syngenta does, in Canada and around the globe. A growing global population means, now more than ever, we depend on agriculture to succeed and grow.

      Sustainable agricultural farming practices are acknowledged and used everyday by farmers. Such practices include integrated pest management, soil and water conservation practices, crop rotation, and the use of natural or synthetic inputs. Sustainable agricultural practices ensure that all farm operations are safe to humans, animals, and the environment.

      Syngenta takes a leadership role in sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Syngenta collaborates with Canadian agriculture on projects in the areas of environmental quality and resources management, land management, integrated pest management, introduction of new technologies, economic viability and rural community sustainability.

       

      ____________________________________________

       

       

      Our Canadian Projects

       

      Syngenta Scholarships in Sustainable Agriculture
      The Syngenta Scholarships in Agriculture Sustainability help fund research and learning at Canada’s major agricultural universities. Research under these scholarships will build awareness and future opportunities for Canadian agriculture and our rural communities. More than 20 students receive scholarships and awards annually.

      Canola Research Project
      Over four years, the Canola Research Project has looking at new opportunities of higher value components in canola oils and meal. Other partners are the University of Manitoba, the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Canola Council.

      Year of Biodiversity in 2010
      The conservation of Canada’s biological resources will not only be critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems, but important in maintaining economic, social and cultural sustainability. Syngenta has partnered on a project with the Canadian Business and Biodiversity Secretariat to build ‘biodiversity conservation planning’ best practices of Canadian business for the Year of Biodiversity in 2010.

      Canadian Foodgrains Bank
      The Canadian Foodgrains Bank ranks among the largest private food aid providers in the world. It was established in 1983 as a practical way for Canadian farmers to share their abundant harvest with areas in the world that are plagued by food shortages. Syngenta provides seeds and crop protection products that help farmers grow strong, healthy crops which are donated to those in need.


      Seeds to Sudan Since 2006, Syngenta has been a strong supporter of the Canadian Economic Development Assistance for Southern Sudan (CEDASS). The organization is committed to establishing one of the first mechanized farming operations in Southern Sudan on 1,000 acres of aerated land. This year, Syngenta has donated 120 acres worth of corn and soybean seed to the solely volunteer-based charity. Each acre will produce approximately 1.75 tonnes of grain which will be sold to World Food Programme. The introduction of corn and soybeans is an exciting addition to the local sorghum-based diet and will diversity the protein sources in the area.

      Learn more about our partnerships with Canadian agriculture in our Giving Back to Agriculture Report.