BASF Pipeline: More than 30 Projects Include Novel Seed, Chemistry, Bio and Precision
When BASF plans its innovation pipeline, its goal is to achieve balance and connectivity between farm and environmental needs and technology.
“For us, seeds, crop protection, and digital innovation belong together,” explains Jürgen Huff, senior vice president, Research and Development Crop Protection at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division. “That is why we focus on connected offers to enable farmers balancing agricultural productivity, environmental protection and society’s need.”
And the company is targeting its budget dollars on this goal. The company plans to build on its research and development investment for agriculture solutions over recent years with a 2020 expenditure set to match its 2019 spend of €879 million ($1.041 billion) in research and development in the Agricultural Solutions division, representing around 11% of sales for the segment.
By 2029, BASF plans to launch more than 30 key projects worldwide, including novel seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, digital products, and new formulations.
A Four-Crop Focus
To meet today’s farming challenges, BASF’s innovation pipeline supports the company’s strategy of focusing on new technologies and solutions for four major customer segments and their respective crop systems:
- Soy, corn (maize), and cotton in the Americas
- Wheat, canola (oilseed rape) and sunflower in North America and Europe
- Rice in Asia
- Fruit and vegetables globally
Sustainability is a Priority
BASF is focusing its R&D pipeline on sustainable solutions.
“Our aim is to find practical solutions that enable higher yielding and more stress-tolerant crop production, reduce farming’s CO2 footprint and increase biodiversity,” Huff explains.
For instance, in the wheat, canola, and sunflower crop system, BASF is developing innovative solutions for climate-resilient farming. The goal is to reach higher yields with drought- and heat-tolerant crops that require fewer resources, such as water and plant protection products. This is said to also enable farmers to sustainably increase yields and reduce tillage, while minimizing erosion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Digitization Amplifies During Pandemic
In addition to shipping delays and supply chain challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to work differently in order to continue moving forward to reach their 2020 goals.
According to Huff, the pandemic so far has “only had a minor impact on BASF’s 2020 innovation plans. Finding new ways to work together enabled laboratory testing and field trials for crop protection and plant biotechnology, as well as seed supply and distribution.”
The pandemic also increased and accelerated digitalization for farmers through the company’s Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions brand. To support farmers in their continued efforts in food production during this challenging time, the company offered its Xarvio Field Manager free of charge in the U.S. and Canada for the 2020 season.
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