Exhaustive Strategies, Worker Protection Crucial in Climate Fight

As stakeholders in the agri-food value chain, our profound awareness of the challenges of climate change on crops and, notably, on field workers has intensified. Much like numerous nations, Mexico has encountered successive waves of extreme cold and heat, erratic rainy seasons, and, in numerous instances, water excess. This complex scenario has rippling effects on the fundamental components of the agricultural sector: the land, the crops, and growers.

The challenges posed by climate change are ubiquitous across various sectors, and agriculture is no exception. Several states significantly contribute to national agriculture and have borne the brunt of these climate-induced adversities. Despite the introduction of cutting-edge machinery and technological solutions, our producers remain irreplaceable and are the frontline warriors confronting the capricious changes in temperature.

According to the findings of the 2022 Agricultural Census, a staggering 3 million-plus growers are directly engaged in their production units. Alarmingly, at least 61.1% grappled with losses attributable to climatic or biological factors. This emphasizes the imperative need for proactive measures to safeguard the agricultural workforce and boost resilience in the face of climate uncertainties.

Acknowledging this formidable challenge, at Syngenta Seeds, we have meticulously prioritized the safety, well-being, and care of the individuals toiling in the fields. We staunchly advocate for preventive practices aimed at shielding them from potential hazards. 

As part of the social pillar within our all-encompassing sustainability strategy, we have committed to providing training to over 12 million agricultural workers globally. These training initiatives focus on raising awareness about crucial aspects such as proper hydration, the provision of water and tents, and the activation of protection protocols to identify symptoms at an early stage.

We firmly believe that the future of agriculture hinges on the prosperity of growers and their communities. Consequently, we are dedicated to ensuring access to essential inputs, cutting-edge technologies, services, and training programs that elevate their economic and social conditions. This commitment extends to ensuring unfettered access to quality seeds, complemented by our ongoing efforts to offer training programs on the safe and responsible use of our products.

Simultaneously, we are unwavering in our commitment to fostering fair working conditions across the entire supply chain. We actively encourage our suppliers to align with the highest ethical standards, evident in our affiliation with the Fair Labor Association. Our policies are stringent, encompassing the prevention of child labor, comprehensive training programs, and an open hotline for registering and addressing complaints. Importantly, these ethical benchmarks extend beyond our immediate operations to encompass our entire network of suppliers.

Over the past decade, Syngenta Seeds has undertaken a visionary approach through our Good Growth Plan. This comprehensive strategy places the urgent fight against climate change and biodiversity loss at the core of the productive future of agriculture. Four key objectives underscore our commitment: accelerating innovation with a focus on employees and nature, working toward carbon-neutral agriculture, building impactful alliances for systemic change, and as iterated in these lines, ensuring the health and safety of the workforce.

Furthermore, in line with the ambitious target of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, our relentless efforts continue toward establishing more sustainable agriculture. We have set specific targets:

1. The introduction of two new innovative and sustainable technologies to the market each year. 
2. Fifty percent reduction in the carbon footprint of our operations by 2030. Additionally, we are actively involved in promoting biodiversity and soil health on 3 million hectares of rural land annually and are committed to measuring and facilitating carbon capture and mitigation in agriculture.
3. Training 8 million agricultural workers each year on good agricultural practices and ensuring favorable and fair working conditions throughout the value chain.
4. Contributing to and fostering synergies through strategic partnerships to achieve real change.

While we acknowledge the strides we've made, the journey toward sustainable agriculture demands a collective effort from the private sector, acting as an integrated value chain, the public sector at federal and state levels, and the growers and their communities. One encouraging revelation from the census data is the notable growth of protected agriculture. 

According to the report from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, this system's technology and infrastructure empower growers to control environmental factors, shielding plants from pests or diseases, resulting in improved overall performance. In Mexico, more than 30,000 production units, spanning an expansive 77,000 hectares, have embraced this approach.

At Syngenta, our commitment to sustainability spans all levels of farming, from individual growers to the broader value chain and our dedicated team. Sustainability is interwoven into every facet of our operations. 

As we look ahead to 2024, we acknowledge the need for collaborative action to address the escalating challenges of climate change. This necessitates the formulation of comprehensive sustainability strategies and an acceleration of innovation across diverse ecosystems to enhance both profitability and sustainability in food production.