Following a sustainability road map with Syngenta

(Kara Oosterhuis/RealAgriculture)

Sustainability can be defined several different ways, but during Syngenta’s recent Media Summit, which gives a preview of the company’s initiatives and future directions, the company defined the word for themselves and their customers.

“It’s pretty simple. For us, sustainability means helping farmers do the best job they can to grow the best crop,” says Christina Stroud, head of corporate affairs for Syngenta. “Being able to provide food that reduces the environmental footprint and has a positive impact, financially, and for growers to be able to do the best job they can on their farm.”

Syngenta’s road map for sustainability includes its Good Growth Plan. The goal is to decrease the company’s environmental footprint, and help farmers mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on-farm.

Leading out of Syngenta’s 2013 to 2020 sustainability plans, the second wave of their Good Growth Plan will span from 2020 to 2025.

The Good Growth Plan has four focus areas, says Stroud, including: accelerating innovation for farmers and nature; striving for carbon neutral agriculture; helping people stay healthy and safe; and, partnering for impact. The plan is measurable and will be audited by a third party, she says.

“Having very clear metrics ensure that we’re on the right track, and helps us evaluate our progress,” says Stroud, of the global initiative.

Part of the digital effort at Syngenta is a new product called AgriClime, a risk sharing program with growers, that will offset the costs of specific Syngenta products, based on the amount of precipitation in their region. The program is in the pilot stage, so far.

Listen in on the full conversation to hear more about Syngenta’s inward sustainability measures, such as tracking software, packaging, product waste disposal, and more:

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