In 2024, the German chemical giant BASF launched the global campaign “Agriculture, the noblest profession on Earth” and in Bulgaria.
Traveling around the world – from Germany and Europe to South America and Asia, the campaign reached us.
„The goal is to make the public aware of what it’s like to work in agriculture, what challenges you face day after day in your work. About the food – quality and affordable for everyone at our table. I think this campaign comes at the right time to support you in the difficult times that farming is in.” With these words, Krasimira Ivanova, Business Manager for Bulgaria, BASF Agricultural Solutions, addressed the farmers who arrived for the forum in Pravets.
She introduced the special guest BASF Senior Vice President, Brazilian Gustavo Carneiro – Manager for Europe. He had come for the start of the season in Bulgaria, as well as for the “Agriculture, the noblest profession on earth” campaign.
Mr. Carneiro stated that BASF is the most customer-focused company.
He revealed that two new fungicides with two active ingredients, one insecticide and one herbicide, will be launched in the next decade. Digital solutions in agriculture that will ease the work of farmers are also now in the focus of the company. They are associated with precision agriculture in the field and in permanent crops. “And machine manufacturers are with us. Working together for more precision farming“, he informed.
Mr. Carneiro later told reporters that BASF was extremely focused on producing the main field crops, such as wheat, barley, sunflower and canola. “We are proud of the number of innovations that are implemented as your farmers are able to adopt the new products.
At the same time, the BASF Bulgaria team is extremely close to farmers, focused on their problems and needs. Few countries can boast of a team like this that is so close to the farmers“he praised his Bulgarian colleagues.
From the headquarters of the company, many efforts are made to reach the new products and technologies quickly to the European and Bulgarian markets.
When asked by Agro Plovdiv if they will be as effective as previous BASF preparations, which have already been withdrawn from use due to green requirements, Mr. Carneiro stated: “Not only are they so effective, but they even exceed farmers’ expectations. Because they require significantly more investment in research and development, which also takes much more time. I will give an example with Revizol, which was tested as a formulation back in 2010 in order to be fully effective and meet EU requirements. For 10 years, teams have been developing this product to meet both regulatory requirements and be efficient and useful for farmers.“
The senior vice president explained that BASF is also working on four new active substances that will be introduced to the market in the next decade. In addition to Revizol, the leaves also include the new fungicide Pavekto, the new herbicide Luximo, and the insecticide Axalion.
„But before they all reach farmers, it’s important that regulators themselves consider how long an innovation can take to become viable. Because it is easy to remove the currently effective preparations from production, but in order for them to be replaced by new ones that are environmentally friendly and at the same time effective enough, time is required – and this must be realized by the regulatory authorities. Therefore, we insist on more tolerance and time to be given for the introduction of the new plant protection productsGustavo Carneiro said.
And added: “If we look at the future of agriculture, it is not only in plant protection, but also in genetics and seed selection, and in digital solutions. All this necessitates a change in BASF as well, to expand its horizons of specialists so that they can comprehensively solve the needs of agricultural producers.”
At the end of the technical meeting, in the spirit of the campaign’s motto “Agriculture is the noblest profession on earth”, Business Manager for Bulgaria Krasimira Ivanova addressed the full hall with a few words about the innovations that are already inevitably woven into everyday life.
„In the winter of 2020, when there was Covid, we got together and wrote down the benefits of Revistar ® Flex and then presented them to you in a video brochure so that you are aware of its quality. This year we have come up with another innovation. Take a look at our brochures and QR codes. When you scan them with your phone, you will see videos to make your understanding of our product as easy as possible.“
In order to raise the spirit and optimism of farmers, Krasi Ivanova indicated 5 important figures:
- over 196,000 jobs secured in 2023 thanks to you
- over 4% of the country’s GDP is from agriculture, which, expressed in money, is over BGN 6.5 billion.
- You give about BGN 1 billion as rents that go to society
- Bulgarian agriculture has achieved a 33% growth in productivity, unlike European countries, which have 2-3% growth for 2022.
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