The American multinational of agricultural seeds production Corteva Agriscience has just inaugurated its sixth center of technologies applied to seeds (Centre for Seed Applied Technologies, CSAT) in Rosslyn (industrial suburb of Pretoria) in South Africa. The new facility will utilize “state of the art equipment” in the industry and will specifically focus on recipe development and safety testing of seed applied solutions. The site will also be integrated into Corteva’s global CSAT network and is strategically positioned to meet the continued demands of grain producers in Africa and the Middle East.
« This investment not only demonstrates our commitment to regional agriculture and ongoing research and development, but also demonstrates our ambition to effectively use advanced technologies to help increase yields, improve livelihoods and ensure a sustainable food security “, explains in a press release Venkata Subbarao Kolli, President Africa Middle East of Corteva Agriscience, created in 2019, following the merger between Dow Chemical and DuPont, then the split of part of the new entity created.
Seed treatment consists of applying chemical or biological substances, such as fungicides or insecticides, directly to the surface of the seed, in order to protect the seeds and young plants against insects, fungal diseases and pathogens transmitted by the ground. Seed treatments improve seed and plant health and germination rates, among other things.
« This CSAT laboratory further strengthens the company’s offer in the seed production segment says Tony Esmeraldo, Commercial Director South Africa for Corteva Agriscience.
On April 12, Corteva Agriscience inaugurated its first European Center for Applied Seed Technologies (CSAT) in France. The center will develop insecticide molecules such as Lumiposa, used for corn and rapeseed, currently being approved in France.
In the first quarter of the current year, Corteva Agriscience achieved a turnover of 1.5 billion dollars for the Europe-Africa-Middle East region.
