|
Basel, Switzerland
October 11, 2001
Syngenta today announced
the creation of its
Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. The Foundation aims
to contribute to the improvement of world food security and
quality. It will do so by supporting development initiatives and
scientific analyses and publications.
The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture supports
research projects on sustainable food security in the poorest
regions of the world. It performs scientific work to promote
public discussion of nutritional problems, and makes
contributions on sustainable agriculture in developing and
industrialized countries. The Foundation will network closely
with organizations and
research establishments around the world. It will continue the
agricultural projects run up to now by the Novartis Foundation
for Sustainable Development. It has a first-year budget of about
4 million Swiss francs. The members of the Board of Trustees are
Heinz Imhof (Chairman), Pierre Landolt, and Professors Christian
Bonte-Friedheim and Klaus M. Leisinger.
Heinz Imhof, Chairman of Syngenta and President of the Syngenta
Foundation, said: "Our Foundation aims above all to intervene
wherever it can take direct action against poverty and misery.
The concept of `sustainable agriculture' is our Foundation's
raison d'etre. Agriculture is sustainable if it makes economic
and intelligent use of its resources. That is only possible when
people openly discuss their local problems, and can develop and
implement their own appropriate local solutions."
Providing support for agriculture in developing countries not
only involves stabilizing locally sustainable production, or
increasing it whenever possible. It also means investing in
people's knowledge and in their ability to help themselves.
Professor Klaus M. Leisinger, Acting Director of the Syngenta
Foundation, noted: "The aim of our work is to help develop and
support people's existing efforts, enabling them longer term to
carry out such initiatives on their own."
In his presentation at the founding ceremony, Dr. David Evans,
Head of Research & Technology at Syngenta, underscored the role
of modern technology in agriculture: "With sustainable
agriculture as the framework, research and development can help
developing countries control pests and fight plant diseases
while increasing yields and improving crops. In addition to
selling its products, Syngenta is making available at no cost a
number of innovative technologies to subsistence farmers."
Three African projects underway
The Syngenta Foundation is currently promoting three projects in
Sub-Saharan Africa. These share the basic aim of contributing to
the sustainable security of food supplies grown by small
farmers.
In Eritrea, the Foundation is working with Swiss and
international development organizations to support a program for
the sustainable use of soil and water. Initial results of this
research were presented at a conference of the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and thus
made available to other interested parties.
In Mali, the Foundation is working with the government to
support the Cinzana Research Station. It raises local varieties
of millet and sorghum, develops cultivation techniques adapted
to the needs of the different agro- ecological zones of the
Sahel, and trains small farmers in their use.
In Kenya, the Foundation is helping the International Maize and
Wheat Research Institute (CIMMYT) and the National Research
Establishment (KARI) to develop new varieties of maize resistant
to stem borers.
More information about the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable
Agriculture will shortly be available at
www.syngentafoundation.com.
Syngenta (NYSE: SYT) is a world leading agribusiness. The
company ranks first in crop protection and third in the
high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 2000 were
approximately US $6.9 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000
people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to
sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and
Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis
Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syngenta is listed on the
Swiss stock exchange, as well as in London, New York and
Stockholm. Further information is available at
www.syngenta.com.
Company news release
N3874
|
