Sustainability Transformation Underway in Agri-Food Sector

The environmental situation has many urgent fronts, and this year, the UN has decided to focus attention on soil restoration, combating desertification, and creating drought-resilient soils. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, approximately 40% of the world's land area has deteriorated, directly affecting half the world's population.

In addition, since 2000, we have observed a 29% increase in both the number and duration of drought periods. If urgent measures are not implemented, it is projected that by 2050, droughts could affect more than 75% of the world's population, without stopping to consider the significant declines in crops and livestock productivity. 

This highlights the vital role of agriculture in the face of climate change. All of us who are part of the agri-food sector, assume ourselves as part of the solution and not the problem, as we are conscious about the need for agricultural practices that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency. At Syngenta, we are committed to continuing and strengthening this transformation.

As chief sustainability officer in Latin America North, I feel an enormous responsibility for the future of agricultural production. As pioneers of sustainability, at Syngenta, we are leading the conversation about the urgency of implementing regenerative agriculture practices, which means producing more with less: less water and less damage to ecosystems, with innovative technological solutions, positive results, and resistance to climate threats.

Our commitment goes beyond words. In fact, we are walking the talk and mobilizing the entire company to accelerate change and secure a more innovative and sustainable agriculture. We are devoted to providing technologies, services, and training, working hand in hand with our growers to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of our operations and the agriculture sector.

Sustainability is a cornerstone at Syngenta. For us, it means understanding and addressing the many interconnected global challenges related to agriculture and climate change, making the most of the opportunities ahead, and recognizing the role we all must play in supporting our growers and customers as we change, learn and adopt new approaches. 

To be sustainable we have to start from within. Through our Production and Supply Development team, we are taking significant steps to mitigate our direct impact on the environment, reducing our climate footprint. We look to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and supply chain, through: 

• Optimizing water use: We reuse water in production processes without consuming new water from the public service network. 

• Waste recycling: We reuse hazardous and non-hazardous waste through recycling options within and outside our operations. 

• Logistics efficiency: We increase the efficiency in the use of cargo vehicles, increasing the amount of product moved in each trip, thus reducing distance and number of vehicles. 

As part of our commitment, and faithful to our mission, we are working hand in hand with our growers in a comprehensive effort to facilitate sustainable agriculture practices on 50 million hectares by 2030. Currently, our innovations improve water productivity, increase yield and efficiency, reduce food loss, and waste, and help sequester and mitigate carbon loss in soil. 

According to the United Nations Environment Program, every dollar invested in soil restoration can generate up to US$30 in economic benefits. We agree with the UNEP’s report and are conscious that restoration of ecosystems is not a small task, and that this effort requires we all do our part. 

At Syngenta, we are plowing the soil to reap the expected results and achieve a sustainable horizon. May this be a reminder – for us and for the entire agri-food industry – that there is a different, more proactive and noble agriculture to feed our future.