“There is tremendous pressure to grow more food on less soil and with fewer inputs. Agriculture therefore needs to intensify, but it is imperative that this does not occur at the expense of the environment and soil health.
“The agriculture sector, including input suppliers and farmers alike, has an obligation to fight climate change in years to come. Farming must contribute to capturing more carbon.”
With these words, Prof Driekie Fourie, product biologist at Syngenta Seedcare in South Africa, opened proceedings at the launch of the Syngenta Seedcare and Biologicals Biolab in mid-October in Brits, North West.
The event also celebrated the 10 years of Syngenta’s Seedcare Institute in Ngwenya, Brits, a leading seed treatment innovation in South Africa.
THE BIOLAB
The biolab not only manufactures seed treatments, but is a source of valuable information on seed and soil health, and the many ways in which a harmonious balance can exist between nature and sustainable crop production.
Speaking at the event, Stefan van Zyl, Syngenta Seedcare business lead for Africa and the Middle East, said: “Our products, applications, and services in the Seedcare portfolio provide our clients the very options to not only preserve soil health but improve it, while also supporting crops to achieve their yield potential.
“At Syngenta, we are passionate about co-creating solutions that add value to both the farmer’s and Syngenta’s businesses,” he added.
SEED-TREATMENT PORTFOLIO
Esta historia es de la edición November 22, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 22, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
