Corteva Agriscience™ is the name of the new Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™. With the merging of three leading companies, namely Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Crop Protection and DuPont Pioneer to form Corteva Agriscience™ – a market-shaping, standalone agriculture company – the future of the agricultural sector in southern Africa, and the rest of the continent, is in good hands and set to grow from strength to strength.
Despite the African continent’s abundance of land and natural resources, and the associated potential for farming success, hunger and malnutrition among its people remains one of the biggest threats to its development. As the world’s second largest continent, it is regarded as the poorest and most underdeveloped in the world.
In 2017, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report revealed alarming figures showing that sub-Saharan Africa had one the highest prevalence of undernourishment (PoU), affecting an alarming 22.7% of the population in 2016. That’s about 224 million people. Compared to 2015, it was an increase of 24 million. The report was jointly prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Corteva Agriscience™ (kohr-'teh-vah), which is derived from a combination of words meaning “heart” and “nature”, will bring together its heritage companies’ complementary portfolios that provide materials and specialty products that lead their respective industries through productive, science-based innovation to meet the needs of customers, serve communities, uphold sustainability and help solve global food security challenges. DowDuPont will support its leading new agriculture brand until Corteva Agriscience™ becomes fully independent in 2019.
From a South African perspective, and for Africa as a whole, doing business with a company that has both a global footprint and the capabilities to enhance and increase both current and future food production using advanced science and technology for the purpose of feeding rapidly growing populations, is a sound decision.
“This is the start of an exciting journey,” said James C. Collins, Jr., chief operating officer, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont when the news was announced earlier in the year. “Corteva Agriscience™ is bringing together three businesses with deep connections and dedication to generations of farmers. Our new name acknowledges our history while looking forward to our commitment to enhancing farmer productivity as well as the health and well-being of the consumers they serve. With the most balanced portfolio of products in the industry, nearly a century of agronomic expertise and an unparalleled innovation engine, Corteva Agriscience™ will become a leading agriculture company, focused on working together with the entire food system to produce a secure supply of healthy food.”
Corteva Agriscience™ brings together DuPont Crop Protection, DuPont Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences to create a market-shaping, standalone agriculture company with leading positions in Seed Technologies, Crop Protection and Digital Agriculture.
The intended company has developed some of the best talent, technology, innovation and R&D capabilities that will uniquely position it to transform our food system by helping farmers grow better, abundant and healthier crops while using fewer natural resources.
Realising the potential of agriculture
Corteva Agriscience™ aims to positively affect food production in South Africa. Prabdeep Bajwa, commercial unit director, Africa Middle East, Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont said, “Our company is investing in innovation, drawing on our knowledge of genetics, chemistry and digital to give farmers in Africa more and better products and ensuring their success.”
Business platforms
Thanks to the merger and with a strong focus on collaboration, Corteva can now offer integrated and greatly expanded solutions that combine genetics, chemistry and precision agriculture. The company aims to help farmers maximise the value of their investment through high-performing genetics and effective science-based solutions that optimise yield and crop quality, thereby helping farmers get the most out of every acre or hectare of land.
Corteva business platforms include Seeds, Crop Protection and Digital Agriculture (Emerging). The core products include:
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Fumigants
- Pest Management
- Nitrogen stabilizers
- Seeds, Traits, and Oils
“In Africa, we will continue to invest in some of the most recognised and premium brands in agriculture: Pioneer®, PANNAR seed brands, as well as our award-winning Crop Protection products, such as Aproach® Prima fungicide and Quelex™ herbicide with Arylex™ active, while bringing new products to market through our solid pipeline of active chemistry and technologies,” said Bajwa.
Innovation
The company invested R100 million in the Africa technology centre in Delmas, which currently employs African scientists and skilled technicians to support local research efforts across the continent.
By combining the highly complementary research programmes, Corteva Agriscience™ is positioned to solve the African grower’s most complex challenges, including Fall Armyworm, with a greater array of innovative solutions. Some of these products, including STRONGARM 840WG, a herbicide for soybean and peanuts; SURESTART SE, a herbicide for maize and UPHOLD 360SC, an insecticide for maize and vegetables, are a game changer and will enable farmers to realise greater yield potential, better quality and improved productivity for a more successful crop.
“In Africa Middle East, our R&D is also lining up some very interesting products which will be launched between now and 2021. The crop protection products reduce risks and increase farmer control over pests, weeds and diseases, while always keeping the environment in mind,” said Bajwa.
Corteva’s digital tools deliver essential and illuminating insights across an entire operation, and the advanced technology applications ensure sustainability.
These include:
- The Granular Suite comprises industry-leading farm management software tools with the operational, financial and agronomic information needed to make the best call every time.
- Encirca services gives the user the ability to accurately track fields throughout the entire year and draw from a wealth of information tailor-made to help plan, prioritise and manage the entire operation. By aiding decision-making, a successful and profitable growing season can be ensured year after year.
- AcreValue analyses terabytes of data about soils, climate, crop rotations, taxes, interest rates and corn prices to calculate the estimated value of an individual field.
Product & biotechnology stewardship
Corteva brings responsible and ethical management to their agricultural chemicals throughout their lifecycle. This begins with research and development, includes manufacture, transport and storage, extends through integrated pest management, responsible use and eventual disposal of waste, including empty product containers and management of obsolete pesticide stocks.
The company is also committed to transparency and compliance with various environmental and health bodies.
Sustainability and environmental protection
Corteva recognises the crucial role science plays in preserving resources for future generations.
The company’s commitment to sustainability aims to advance human progress by:
- Discovering and developing solutions that help preserve the quality of our land, water and air;
- Mitigating our environmental impact in manufacturing, packaging and shipping; and,
- Contributing to community success through meaningful collaborations.
Skills transfer and mentorship
Corteva actively supports educational institutions, programming and community activities that serve to identify, nurture and provide incentives in the development of tomorrow’s scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians. The company supports several initiatives related to STEM education, including promoting the significance of STEM in everyday life and as a career choice; and enhancing recruitment and retention of qualified STEM teachers.
Global citizenship
Farmers are the first to face an ever-changing landscape, while constantly striving for higher yield, resilience and desirability. By standing on the ground alongside them, listening first and then innovating collaboratively, Corteva can enable their success. The company’s priority is the success of the farmer because when producers thrive, the world will thrive.
About Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont
Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), is intended to become an independent, publicly traded company when the previously announced spin-off is complete by June 2019. The division combines the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences. Corteva Agriscience™ provides growers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry – including some of the most recognised brands in agriculture: Pioneer®, Encirca®, the newly launched Brevant™ Seeds, as well as award-winning Crop Protection products – while bringing new products to market through their solid pipeline of active chemistry and technologies. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
Corteva Agriscience™ – Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™
Address: PO Box 355, Paarl, South Africa, 7620
