Syngenta Group is a leader in agricultural innovation headquartered in Switzerland, with roots going back more than 250 years. Its seeds, crop protection and nutrition products, agronomic solutions and digital services help farmers provide the world with food, feed, fiber and fuel.
You began your career with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics. How deep-rooted is your connection to the agriculture industry?
My interest in agriculture runs very deep. Agriculture is the only industry I've ever worked in, and it’s the only one I ever considered. I grew up on a farm in north-central Illinois and am a fifth-generation farmer. Though my full-time job is as CEO of Syngenta Group, I stay actively involved in farming. Every spring, I return for planting, and every fall, for harvest. My connection to agriculture is not just historical but current.
I was the first in my family to go to college and the first to work off the farm in this capacity. While in college, I had opportunities to engage with the industry, and those experiences kept me interested. My parents played a huge role in supporting my decision. Though they never had the chance to pursue higher education or travel, they instinctively saw the value in learning new things and encouraged me to explore opportunities beyond the farm. If a product fails, it can mean the end of a farm. Having grown up on one, I understand that reality firsthand. Trust is everything in agriculture, and I take the responsibility of leading Syngenta with that in mind.
Given the recent advancements in technological innovation, what’s the most impactful innovation to come out of your R&D lab in recent years?
We’re launching three blockbuster crop protection products simultaneously— something unprecedented for Syngenta. One standout is PLINAZOLIN® technology, an insecticide that protects a wide variety of crops such as corn from devastating pests and associated diseases. In corn, it targets an insect that transmits a disease called corn stunt, which halts corn growth mid-season. In some regions of Brazil, farmers were at risk of losing entire crops without this solution. The excitement at the product launch was incredible—farmers lined up as if it were an iPhone release. This product allows them to continue farming, ensuring their livelihoods remain viable, protecting their financial investments and preventing devastating losses.
We’re also working on reducing methane emissions in cattle through our Enogen corn product. Enogen contains an enzyme that makes starch more digestible, reducing methane production while improving growth rates. McDonald’s is interested in this technology as part of their sustainability efforts and the ‘Feed Forward’ program. This collaboration is an example of how agricultural innovations can benefit the entire food supply chain.
Agriculture faces many issues going into 2025 but arguably is largely cyclical by nature. Why is the current period particularly tough compared to past downturns?
For farmers, challenges vary by region, but a major issue for row crop farmers has been the sharp decline in commodity prices over the past two years—one of the steepest on record. This has caused significant financial strain. In contrast, some segments, like livestock farming, are in a more stable position.
Additionally, labor shortages in rural areas are a growing problem, leading to increased demand for automation. Trade restrictions also impact farmers, as many agricultural products rely on exports. Regulatory hurdles are making innovation more expensive and time-consuming, which not only affects our business but has broader implications for food security and sustainability. Extreme weather due to climate change also further complicates their ability to sustain a viable business.
Agriculture has always had ups and downs, but this downturn is particularly painful due to its extreme volatility. The rapid rise in prices during COVID-19 and the Ukraine war created all-time highs from 2020 to 2022. Now, we’re seeing the sharpest correction in decades, making it a very difficult period for farmers. The speed and magnitude of these changes have intensified financial pressures. The financial struggles of farmers inevitably impact the industry. During the 2020-2022 period, supply chain disruptions caused severe shortages of essential inputs. Now, the industry is going through a destocking phase. The increasing complexity and cost of bringing new products to market are concerning for both the industry and society.
AI is touted to improve agricultural practices, particularly concerning sustainability goals. Can you share how AI and R&D partnerships are evolving your portfolio?
AI is revolutionizing multiple aspects of agriculture. In R&D, we use AI to identify new active ingredients and genetic combinations, much like the pharmaceutical industry. Machine learning helps us optimize our selection process, making research more efficient. AI is also assisting farmers directly— providing digital agronomists that help them make real-time decisions, which is particularly impactful for smallholder farmers. Additionally, AI is optimizing our supply chain, reducing our environmental footprint by improving manufacturing and logistics efficiencies.
Partnerships are a core part of our approach. Many people outside agriculture are interested in food security and sustainability, and we work with them to drive innovation. Beyond R&D, AI is helping us support farmers by providing them with instant, data-driven guidance. This is especially useful for smallholder farmers in remote areas. AI is also streamlining our global supply chain, making our operations more sustainable and efficient. Contrary to common belief, farmers tend to embrace digital technology quickly, especially in regions like India, where digitization is widespread. The bigger challenge isn’t skepticism but access to reliable networks in remote areas.
Where are your priority markets for 2025 and what are the unique features of those regions that make them so attractive for growth?
The largest agricultural markets—U.S., Brazil, Argentina, India, China, and parts of Europe—remain key. But we’re also focusing on high-growth areas like Indonesia, where a young, tech-savvy population is eager to adopt new agricultural innovations. In contrast, the U.S. farming demographic is much older, making emerging markets particularly exciting for technology-driven solutions.
Regulatory trends vary by region. The U.S. used to be the fastest in approving agricultural innovations, but it has slowed. Europe has always been more restrictive. Meanwhile, Brazil and Argentina have become leaders in adopting new technologies, largely due to practical necessity—tropical farming conditions create constant pest and disease pressure, necessitating faster innovation cycles. These countries now often set the pace for global agricultural advancements.
