Corteva Agrisciencies opened the third in a series of new offices in Africa, parts of plans to increase sales on the continent within the next few years. The growth plan are based on two-pronged strategy that centres around offering technical support and experience to farmers and other agricultural professionals locally.
In Africa there are some professional growers with large operations and state-ofthe art agronomic expertise as well as many small and mid-sized farmers working hard to move beyond subsistence farming.” Said Mr. Anampiu Kithinji, Commercial Director ESCA. “We need to work locally to serve both of these groups with tailored products and agronomic services. That’s why we are building up local sales teams that can offer agronomic support tailored to their markets.”
This will be a change, but Corteva Agriscience is convinced that it is worth the effort. Although Africa has twice the agricultural area as Europe, it is farming 80 million hectares less than its neighbour to the North, according to FAO statistics.
A Commitment to Growing Progress
Mr. Anampiu added, “We bring our global presence, deep knowledge and diverse resources so that farms can flourish, moving our world forward. Corteva Agriscience™ is the only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture. By combining the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences, we’ve harnessed agriculture’s brightest minds and expertise gained over two centuries of scientific achievement”. Adding, “our Purpose is to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come”.
Summing up their values, Mr. Anampiu said, “We are driven by our beliefs and our purpose, which is to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come.
Enrich lives: We commit to enhancing lives and the land. As leaders, we pursue a purpose which goes beyond our immediate interests to benefit society.
Stand tall: We are leaders who act boldly. We accept the challenges that confront our industry as our own and will step up to ensure that agriculture progresses and thrives.
Be curious: We innovate relentlessly. We accelerate our pace of innovation to create solutions that will deliver abundant highquality food, now and for the future.
Build together: We grow by working together. We embrace diversity and collaboration in order to build one company and reach out across the food system, creating shared value.
Be upstanding: We always do what’s right, maintaining high ethical standards and conducting business safely and transparently.
Live safely: We embrace safety and the environment in all we do.
Promoting sustainable agriculture through local services
Large, export-oriented farming operations will profit from Corteva’s portfolio on modern as well as its global network of experts who understand the requirements of authorities and consumers in foreign markets.
Smallholder farmers looking to sell part of their surplus harvest, on the other hand, are eager to improve their farming practice and adopt modern technologies. To support these growers, Corteva will provide agronomic advice and services as well as safe use training. “By putting growers and their needs at the centre of all activities, we will be able to grow with our customers in ESCA.” Says Mr. Anampiu Kithinji during the launch. “As we have demonstrated in America, Europe and other parts of the world, farmers are highly motivated when they see the benefits of modern crop protection as part of an overall farm management system increasing their income and contributing to their health and prosperity.
During the launch, the US ambassador to Kenya Mr. Kyle McCarter challenged Kenyans to embrace technology to feed the growing population. He said agricultural technology will pave the way for Kenya’s self-reliance and attainment of the Big Four. He said the US will continue partnering with Kenya to build capacity in agribusiness and train more Kenyans in Agriculture and food technology. Mr. McCarter said investing in Kenya, Corteva showed there is plenty of opportunity in the country for American companies to invest, earn honest and dignified earnings and play a critical role in offering Kenya practical solutions.
Prof. Hamadi Boga, Principal Secretary- Agriculture challenged Kenyans to embrace new technologies and science innovations. “Farmers know what needs to be done but do not do it. They keep doing what guarantees them low production. This is the time to invest in science. They do not need to stick to old molecules and genetics, they do not need to continue mismanaging soils. We need to embrace the newest technologies from Corteva Agrisciences and fix the challenges facing agriculture today”. Prof Hamadi said this is the time to fund and facilitate our weak research institutions and discuss agriculture scientifically not politically.
The launch was attended by stakeholders in agriculture, supply chain, government institutions and agricultural NGOs among others
