Syngenta is strongly committed to the development of new crop protection products. The drugs are very rigorously researched, but it remains difficult to keep them on the market. What developments is Syngenta focusing on? Roeland Kalkdijk, Syngenta's head of technical services, explains.
Approximately 10% of Syngenta's sales proceeds go to Research and Development (R&D) for innovations and stewardship. It is an amount of $1,4 billion. What does Syngenta use this money for?
"Part of it is used for the development of new products and another part is for research into innovations. In addition to the development of new chemical agents, we are also busy developing green products. For example, we (together with DSM) are looking for micro-organisms that can protect plants. We are also working on technological developments, an example of which is researching what we can contribute to drift reduction through new spraying techniques."
Can you give an example of developments in the field of seed and crop protection?
"Developing resistances in sowing seeds remains very important. Sustainable production is also important to us; for example, we focus on integrated crop protection. In addition, we strive for maximum effect, with as few resources as possible and as little impact on the environment as possible. That is why it is important that we get the resources directly to their destination, and not in water and non-target crops, for example."
"We are also working on precision farming, so that we can spray more in areas with weeds and need to spray less in areas with low weed pressure. At the same time, we are also careful with too low doses, because that in turn increases resistance to diseases and pests. against the plant protection products."
At the meeting of the Agricultural Sprayer Academy (ASA) in Ghent, the RNAi technology was also discussed. What exactly does this technology entail?
"It is a natural, DNA-based technology that works specifically on 1 insect. This is because the drug stops the development of proteins in the specific insect and not in the other insects. For example, if there is a Colorado beetle infestation, specific be worked on Colorado beetles (through a DNA match). For example, bees do not have a match with the product and therefore they do not die. RNAi technology therefore uses a natural process and can be used as a spraying agent."
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What does the future of crop protection products look like?
"Chemical resources will be needed, but the kitchen is not full of new resources. We have to be careful with the resources we have. We lose resources and applications 4 times as fast as we get new products registered. However, due to the many restrictions on the label, the payback period is longer, so that the products do not immediately become cheaper. We are seeing a development in which more and more attention is being paid to selective agents, but these products that are not widely applicable have to go through the same route in order to be approved."
How does the chain deal with this?
"The requirements from the chain are strict and the harvested crops have to look good. However, there is (the longer, the more) a scarcity of resources, also in the field of insecticides. One requirement is, for example, that there is less and less residue on the seed treatment was very effective. To meet that requirement, seed treatment was very effective. If the seed treatments are limited, more crop sprays will be applied again, possibly resulting in more residue on the product."
"The broad social discussion also plays a role, of course. However, the resources are among the best-researched resources in the world. All resources have been thoroughly researched. If they are applied correctly, the risks are minimal."
This interview is part of the Agricultural Sprayer Academy and its partners.