“When farmers use the right technology at the right time, they can reduce inputs and increase their income by 10 to 15 per cent,” says Alexandra Brand, Executive Vice President for Sustainability, Corporate Affairs and Transformation at Syngenta Group, highlighting how technology-driven agriculture can transform rural livelihoods.
In an interaction, Brand said modern agricultural technologies, ranging from improved seeds to artificial intelligence-based advisory tools, are helping farmers boost yields while lowering environmental impact. She emphasised that sustainable agriculture is central to tackling global challenges such as climate change, food security, and declining farm incomes. “Sustainability for us means improving farmers’ livelihoods, helping them deal with climate change, and running our own operations with a lower carbon footprint,” she said.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Syngenta is an agricultural technology company with roots going back more than 250 years. The company develops seeds, crop protection products, and digital tools that help farmers manage crops more efficiently.
Brand explained that farmers are the company’s primary customers. The firm provides seeds for crops such as corn, rice, and soybeans, along with vegetable seeds, including tomatoes and watermelons. Once crops are planted, farmers also require solutions to protect them from pests and diseases. “We provide what you can call medicine for crops,” she said. “If a crop suffers from fungal infection or pest attacks, farmers can use crop protection products to protect their harvest.” However, she said the company’s work increasingly goes beyond traditional farm inputs. Digital technologies are now playing a crucial role in agricultural decision-making.
Through mobile applications and AI tools, farmers can take photographs of diseased plants and instantly receive recommendations on treatment. The platforms also provide hyper-local weather forecasts and advice on the best time to sow seeds or apply crop protection products.
India has emerged as one of the key markets for these digital tools. According to Brand, around 2.4 million farmers in the country are already using Syngenta’s agricultural advisory app. “Farmers can interact with the platform in their local language,” she said. “Even if someone cannot read or write, they can speak to a chatbot and get guidance.”
The company aims to expand the platform’s reach to about 10 million farmers in India in the coming years. Brand said the use of technology can significantly improve farm productivity. Data collected from crops such as tomato, potato, and rice show that farmers who adopt modern techniques at the right time can reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides while increasing yields.
At the global level, agriculture faces multiple challenges. Rising populations are increasing demand for food, while climate change is affecting crop productivity. According to Brand, different regions require different solutions. Smallholder farmers in countries like India, Indonesia, and parts of Africa have significant potential to increase productivity with better technology and knowledge. In contrast, large-scale agricultural economies such as Brazil and the United States face challenges related to financing, trade disruptions, and degraded soil.
Syngenta has also been working on sustainable farming practices. Its earlier initiative, known as The Good Growth Plan, focused on reducing environmental impact while improving agricultural productivity. Today, the company is working on projects such as reducing water consumption in rice cultivation. In northern Indian states like Haryana and Punjab, pilot programmes aim to cut water use in basmati rice farming by up to 50 per cent while maintaining yields.
Despite technological progress, Brand acknowledged that affordability remains a concern for many farmers. She said adoption often happens gradually as farmers balance financial risks with productivity gains. “Farmers usually adopt these technologies step by step,” she said. Brand also urged greater attention to agriculture in public discourse. “Farmers deserve recognition for their work,” she said. “The more people understand agriculture, the more they will support policies that strengthen the sector.”
