Syngenta Group and The Nature Conservancy Renew Collaboration to Enhance Sustainable Agriculture
Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural technology, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an international conservation organization dedicated to protecting lands and waters, have renewed their successful partnership. This collaboration, which began in 2009 and became global in 2018, aims to merge conservation efforts with economic benefits and address critical issues such as deforestation and land degradation.
The extended three-year partnership builds on previous successes and focuses on advancing sustainable business practices. Key objectives include scaling up regenerative agriculture, enhancing resource efficiency to minimize agriculture’s climate impact, improving soil health, and promoting habitat protection in key agricultural regions, including Brazil’s Cerrado, China, and the United States.
This collaboration underscores Syngenta’s commitment to soil and nature regeneration, which is central to its new sustainability priorities announced in April 2024. Petra Laux, Syngenta Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “We are proud to continue our collaboration with TNC. Our goal is to leverage innovative agriculture solutions to address climate change and protect natural resources while feeding a growing global population.”
Restoring Degraded Lands in Brazil, China, and the US
Syngenta aims to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land in Brazil, particularly in the Cerrado region, through the REVERTE® program. This initiative, developed with TNC and Itaú BBA bank, seeks to make land restoration a profitable choice for farmers, reducing the need to clear native vegetation. As of March 2024, REVERTE® has commitments from over 263 farms, covering 202 thousand hectares of degraded land, with 137 thousand hectares in the Cerrado biome.
In China, the Run Tian project has already regenerated 2,400 hectares of agricultural soils in the North China Plain, training over 17,000 farmers in regenerative practices. This has resulted in a 4% yield increase, improved soil moisture storage, and a net benefit of USD 360 per hectare. Future plans include expanding Syngenta’s Modern Agriculture Platform (MAP) centers to promote sustainable farming and support frontline producers.
In the United States, new projects will focus on enhancing climate resilience in cropland and reducing water resource pressure through diverse crop rotations and regenerative sorghum production. Another initiative will scale regenerative agriculture practices among seed producers, contributing to a sustainable seeds supply chain and preserving seed quality.
Future Plans and Events
Syngenta Group and TNC will host a LinkedIn Live event to discuss the progress and future plans of their partnership. Representatives from both organizations will share insights on their collaborative model and upcoming initiatives. The event will be held on Syngenta’s LinkedIn page on Wednesday, May 29 at 14:30 CET.
This renewed collaboration between Syngenta Group and TNC reflects a shared commitment to innovative, sustainable agriculture that benefits both the environment and the economy.
