Syngenta Pipeline: Developing Innovative Products That Answer Farmer Challenges

Staying ahead of emerging challenges has always been a farmer’s main goal.

And to support them, suppliers have continued new product development despite 2020’s many disruptions, including a global pandemic and the resulting shipping challenges and lackluster economy.

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Supporting that research, 60% of respondents to AgriBusiness Global‘s 2020 State of the Industry survey say they plan to reveal new product lines this year.

Enter Syngenta. The company has a track record of investing heavily in product innovation, as well as research and development.

And if you’re wondering whether or not you’ve seen even more active ingredients in development from them recently, you might be right. The company has purposefully increased its development targets.

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“Over the past few years, we have put a stronger focus on AI development with a target of moving from our historical average of 1.3 AIs per year globally to the delivery of 2 AIs per year,” says Jeff Cecil, Syngenta Head Crop Protection Marketing.

Products in the Pipeline

Cecil says Syngenta prioritizes agronomics and grower return on investment when developing new products.

“Our innovation focus is driven by customer needs first, meaning that we work to develop products that answer the challenges that a farmer faces across a wide range of crops,” he explains.

While the company boasts the largest acre reach through corn, soybean, and wheat, its other innovations focus on specialty crops like citrus, cotton, peanuts, potatoes and vegetables through products like Minecto Pro, Elatus, Miravis Prime, and Miravis.

Over the last several years, Syngenta has released three new fungicides, one herbicide, and a seed treatment fungicide. Another seed treatment fungicide called Vayantis is in late stage development and will have a new mode of action.

Other products on the horizon include new technologies in an insecticide, a seed treatment insecticide with new modes of action, an herbicide, a nematicide, and a seed treatment nematicide. Products in late research/early development include three new herbicides – two of which have new modes of action.

R&D Budgets Are Changing

Research and development budgets are always adapting to farmers’ current and expected needs, as well as to enable businesses to target new technology categories.

In recent years in the seed category, Syngenta has been investing in genome editing, as well as genetic engineering (GMO) and conventional breeding. In crop protection, the company is supporting existing AIs while investing strongly in new chemistry AIs, as well as biologicals.

“There is a different R&D investment mix today than just a few years ago,” Cecil explains.

Mergers & Acquisitions

While mergers and acquisitions are on hold for many businesses (75%, according to the AgriBusiness Global State of the Industry survey), Syngenta forged ahead with plans to acquire Italy-based Valagro in October.

The company adds a well-established portfolio of biostimulants and specialty nutrients to Syngenta’s product line.

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