Syngenta Annual Review 2010 - CEO Water Mandate

Syngenta
Annual Review 2010
Camcoa 300 in Cameroon
Cocoa is one of the most important cash crops grown in
Cameroon, but often it is difficult for smallholder famers to
access markets and sell their crop. In 2010, Syngenta set
up a program to help these farmers through partnerships
with smallholder cooperatives, government agencies and
cocoa traders. The program provides agronomy training
to produce higher yields and better quality cocoa beans.
“We are also sharing knowledge about entrepreneurship
accounting and savings so farms can operate as
successful businesses and not be forced to sell at lower
prices,” says Aurore Jamet, project manager for Camcoa
300 . Over 500 growers spanning 1,500 hectares have
been trained thus far, with a target to reach 25,000 growers.
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“The Camcoa project will help us to
commercialize our efforts by creating a link
between traders and farmers. The training
about savings will enable farmers to invest in
their cocoa trees, and Syngenta training brings
us the knowledge we need in order to protect
our culture.”
Stephen Nkwen
Cocoa grower
Featured left: Stephen Nkwen (right), Aurore Jamet, Syngenta
in Cameroon (middle); and André Moukam, grower (left).
Watch video and find out more
www.syngenta.com/ar2010
Average subscription
$0.50
Weekly cost paid by
smallholders in India to
receive timely crop
information on pest and
disease management.
Creative knowledge sharing
Getting information regularly to the farmers who need
it requires creative solutions. For instance, we address
the need for knowledge sharing on a regular basis,
over large and often remote areas in India, through a
partnership with Nokia Life Tools. This partnership has
led to an easy-to-use application for cell phones that
gives growers access to timely, crop-specific tips on
pest and disease management. Farmers subscribe
to the service for a nominal cost of around $0.50 per
week. By the end of 2010, two million subscribers
were using the agriculture service, which includes
information provided by Syngenta.
Increasing access to markets
Syngenta also works with local partners to help open
markets for farmers. The NUCOFFEE initiative in
Brazil, for example, connects growers, cooperatives,
and roasters in a transparent business partnership.
The program helps mitigate the financial risks farmers
face when investing in inputs with the uncertainty
of growing and selling a coffee crop. With the right
agronomy advice and technology, they are able to
meet demanding international quality standards, sell
their harvest and become profitable farmers.
These Syngenta examples demonstrate that global
agriculture demands a range of approaches that are
specific to crops, localities, resources and cultures.
There is no one way to reach food security, but
integrated solutions that recognize the links between
technology, land and people can make great strides
toward this ambition. Syngenta is helping to put into
the hands of growers innovative technologies and
knowledge that can enhance yields, improve incomes,
and protect natural resources.