Syngenta to Buy African Corn Seed Company

Jul 08, 2013

Syngenta to Buy African Corn Seed Company

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Seed and pesticide corporation, Syngenta AG aims to expand its presence in the African seed business. Syngenta recently announced that it will acquire MRI Seed Zambia Ltd. and MRI Agro Ltd. for an undisclosed amount.

The Zambian-based company is a leading developer, producer and distributor of white corn in the region. By 2022, Syngenta plans to generate $1-billion worth of business from Africa. Syngenta said that its goal is to help five million farmers increase productivity by at least 50 percent.

“This acquisition reflects our commitment to sustainable development in Africa, which is clearly emerging as the continent with the greatest growth potential. Smallholders and larger farmers in Zambia will quickly benefit from the combined innovation of MRI and Syngenta in seeds, seed care and crop protection,” said John Atkin, Syngenta Chief Operating Officer.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, but is expected to close by the end of 2013. Syngenta said it will invest $500 million in training and hire 700 new employees.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.