Syngenta launches ‘Climate Smart Project’ in North India

Syngenta has rolled out the “Climate Smart Project” in collaboration with its value chain partners in the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab. According to Jeff Rowe, the company’s global CEO, the initiative is designed to combat climate-related challenges that have notably affected rice production.

The project is part of Syngenta’s broader goal to foster regenerative agricultural practices across 50 million hectares worldwide by 2030. In an effort to make Indian agriculture more sustainable and profitable, Rowe highlighted the company’s dedication to innovation in crop protection, biologicals, and seed technologies.

Rowe emphasized the significant role of the “Climate Smart Project” in improving soil health and optimizing fertilizer use to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that training in soil health and crop residue management is integral to this initiative, especially given that annually, farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh burn approximately 23 million tonnes of paddy crop residue, contributing to pollution.

In India, Syngenta’s efforts have already shown promising results through its Climate Smart Agriculture program for basmati rice, reaching 700 growers and covering nearly 14,000 hectares. This program includes comprehensive soil health analysis, water management, and tools for measuring carbon sequestration.

Further enhancing its support for Indian farmers, Syngenta’s “SoilCare Program” has provided personalized soil reports and management recommendations to 5,425 farmers across 133 villages in northern India. Participants have reportedly reduced costs by 15% and boosted yields by 10%.

Among the new technologies introduced to Indian farmers are the broad-spectrum insecticide PLINAZOLIN, high-yielding hybrid rice varieties, and digital solutions like the Cropwise Grower App, which connects over 1.7 million farmers with crop advisors.

Additionally, Syngenta is pioneering the use of drone technology in agriculture, offering drone spray services to growers in partnership with IoTech. This technology is part of a broader strategy to adopt and support regenerative agricultural practices, which Rowe affirms will significantly improve productivity, soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.