Syngenta opens innovation centre in AP, invests $100m

Vijayawada: Syngenta International AG, a US$ 14 billion biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, opened its innovation centre in Andhra Pradesh at Bhimadole village, 75 km from Vijayawada, on Tuesday at an investment of $100 million. The facility, which is spread over 38 acres, also has a learning component, where Syngenta scientists will make farmers aware of the need to use correct and appropriate quantities of pesticides, J Erik Fyrwald, CEO of Syngenta International, told reporters after inaugurating the innovation and learning centre.
Fyrwald said the Bhimadole centre has eight scientists who will be working with farmers in West Godavari district and beyond to keep them up-to-date on the use of pesticides to protect and improve their crops.The centre will also be testing new seeds produced by Syngenta’s core research labs in Switzerland, United States and the United Kingdom.
“The $100 million multi-purpose and integrated state-of-art facility shall act as the Centre for Excellence for new products testing, products profiling and new products development. Besides an R&D centre, it houses a Syngenta Training Academy, seed care institute, and Syngenta Foundation India centres,” a company release said.
“Syngenta has established a large network of crop protection and seeds field research stations, sophisticated R&D facilities and laboratories and seeds production sites across India. We’re happy to have one in AP also now,” said Fyrwald. Syngenta invests $1.3 billion in R&D annually, the release said.
The new centre will focus on capability development of Syngenta workforce so that they are able to assess and address the needs of farmers better. “It will also focus on stakeholder management by showcasing NPI’s (new product introduction) and offering the Syngenta Learning Centre for progressive growers and channel partners, host key influencers visits, HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) and Product stewardship training programs,” Fyrwald said.
“The Syngenta Foundation training centre shall be devoted exclusively for women folk engaged in agriculture. It will also act as support base to the horticulture and agriculture university,” said KC Ravi, chief sustainability officer, Syngenta India. The Dr YSR Horticultural University is in Venkataramannagudem in West Godavari district.