By Alexandra Brand | Syngenta Crop Protection Est. 4min 05-09-2023 Content-Type: Advertiser Content Advertiser Content An Article that an external entity has paid to place or to produce to its specifications. Includes advertorials, sponsored content, native advertising and other paid content. Image provided by Syngenta Crop Protection. Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Print Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram I very much enjoy visiting people working on farms, getting to know them, getting to understand their challenges. Human interaction is so important for a company like Syngenta as we provide solutions to help farmers increase crop yields and protect their crops from pests and diseases. At the end of the day, the success of agriculture and feeding growing populations depends on people. Alexandra Brand is the Regional Director of Syngenta Crop Protection. According to the latest Eurostat figures, there are around 9.1 million agricultural holdings in the EU. The overwhelming majority (94.8 %) of these farms are classed as being family farms, farms on which 50% or more of the regular agricultural labour force is provided by family members. In a way, we are all one big family, connected by the struggles of the present and the hopes for the future. Working in agriculture can be physically demanding and often requires working outdoors in various weather conditions. Farmers face many challenges including: Climate change and extreme weather events Soil degradation and erosion Water scarcity and quality issues Pests and diseases affecting crops and livestock Market volatility and price fluctuations Access to finance and credit Labour shortages and workforce development Government regulations and policies Technological advancements and adoption Land use and ownership issues Farming has undergone significant changes over the years, from manual labor to mechanization and advanced technology. In the past, farmers relied on traditional methods such as hand tools and animal-drawn equipment to cultivate crops and raise livestock. With the advent of industrialization, farming has become more efficient and productive. EU farmers are currently having to make further major changes, as they adapt to regulations curbing the use of traditional methods of crop protection. This has led to a need to replenish the toolbox of crop protection solutions and seek more sustainable solutions to align with the EU’s Green Deal. And time is against farmers for reform. Speed is essential. The challenge for sustainable agriculture is to balance the need for increased food production with the need to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural systems. Transforming the sector to meet these challenges takes a certain type of person. I like to call these Agcelerators. And they all have a story to tell. The real-life stories of who is and how the sector is changing are not well known, and often overlooked. The individuals involved are not getting due recognition or appreciation for what they do. I believe it is time that we shine a spotlight on the people transforming agriculture, to help accelerate change, inspire the next generation of innovation, and shift the paradigm of agriculture towards a new era. To this end, we have just launched a campaign to showcase those championing change, creating a platform for the Agcelerators to tell their stories in their words. It’s time to meet the Agcelerators. Agcelerators such as: Sam Grimsdell, Digital Agriculture Manager, who is leading Syngenta’s Digital Transformation in the North-West of Europe; Alejandro Stewart, Digital Agriculture Manager, who is leading the Digital Agriculture and Innovation Services teams in Spain; Carmo Pereira, who is responsible for expanding the portfolio of biocontrols in Europe; Lorenz Mayr, a farmer using digitalisation and precision agriculture on Mayr Farms in Austria; And Hans-Heinrich Gruenhagen, a farmer leading regenerative agriculture practices on Gruenhagen Farms in Germany. Agcelerators are developing and using modern tools such as data analytics, diagnostics, and biologicals to demonstrate the transformation, proving that innovation isn’t confined to laboratories; it’s on the fields, in the soil, and in the hearts of the visionaries driving change. Through their stories, this campaign aims to redefine modern agriculture and showcase innovation, products, and services that are reshaping the agricultural landscape. In a world racing against time, the Agcelerators campaign shows that agriculture’s transformation isn’t a distant dream but a present reality, fueled by the dedication of individuals who refuse to accept the status quo. Through innovation, collaboration, and relentless determination, they’re scripting a new narrative for agriculture – one where sustenance doesn’t come at the cost of our planet. I invite you all to meet the Agcelerators.
