02 September 2024, New Delhi: On his maiden trip, Global CEO Syngenta, Jeff Rowe applauded India’s strides in agriculture while participating in field demonstrations and visiting different programs to reinforce the company’s commitment to Indian farmers, youth and rural communities.
Rowe announced the launch of Syngenta’s I-RISE (Inculcating Rural India Skill Enhancement) to train 1 lakh youth to prepare them for various agriculture jobs. During his day-long trip he also joined field demonstration for Climate Smart Agriculture project for Haryana, interacted with farmers in Karnal and participated in drone demonstration for spraying of crop protection solutions.
Rowe elaborated on the I-RISE initiative, which supports eight Sustainable Development Goals, describing it as a “safety net for rural prosperity in India.” He emphasized that the program focuses on training and engaging rural youth in agriculture to curb migration from villages and tackle the growing challenge of a dwindling skilled farm workforce.
Under I-RISE, rural youth under 35, with at least a class 10 education and farming experience, participate in a comprehensive program that includes 30 days of classroom training followed by a two-month internship. Afterward, they have the opportunity to pursue advanced training or seek employment within the agricultural supply chain, micro-business, or farming activities. The program is built on the 3Es approach: Educate youth in agriculture through training and mentorship; Engage them through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities; and Elevate their livelihood income.
Susheel Kumar, MD & Country Head of Syngenta India, provided further insights into the project, stating, “The project addresses the climate change challenges affecting rice production in Haryana and Punjab. The project includes soil health analysis to optimize fertilizer use, resulting in a reduction of 100 kg of urea per acre. Additionally, crop residue management is a key focus, with technologies like the Happy Seeder eliminating the harmful practice of burning crop residues – a significant issue in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where approximately 23 million tons of residue are burned annually.”
Later, after visiting farms in Haryana and engaging with local farmers, Rowe expressed his admiration for the rapid adoption of technology among Indian farmers. He praised Syngenta’s team for their efforts in empowering farming communities through stewardship activities. Rowe also expressed confidence in Indian farmers’ ability to embrace innovation, stating, “We support farmers in adopting regenerative practices to address climate and food security challenges. We are committed to developing technologies that enhance and protect yields, commercialize new products backed by digital science, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to ensure our operations remain sustainable.” Additionally, said Rowe, “We are intensely focussed on improving water use efficiency, increasing productivity of degraded land and increasing carbon storage in soil,” highlighting that the company’s interventions in India have yielded substantial benefits for the farming communities.
On another note, Rowe emphasized Syngenta Group’s commitment as the world’s leading agricultural technology partner to transforming agriculture through customized solutions that empower farmers globally to adopt regenerative practices for the benefit of farmers, society, and the planet. During his visit to a farm in Karnal, he highlighted the Climate Smart Agriculture project as an affirmation to Syngenta’s dedication to sustainability.
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