Bayer CropScience Promotes Sustainable Potato Growth
CHINA - Last week, Bayer CropScience took to China to showcase its latest contributions to sustainable potato production at the 9th World Potato Congress, near Beijing at the Badaling International Conference and Exhibition Center. Under the theme ‘Innovating Together for Sustainable Potatoes,’ experts from the company presented new products and approaches that underline Bayer CropScience’s role as a potential innovator in the field.
"At Bayer we are fully committed to delivering on our mission statement ‘Science For A Better Life’ by sharing our vast expertise and providing new technologies to farmers," said Albert Schirring, Global Potato Manager for Bayer CropScience. "Our core competencies lie in developing and supplying integrated crop solutions that are locally adapted and tailored to the individual needs of our customers, who are mainly farmers but also include other stakeholders along the potato value chain. The common goal is to help drive a sustainable productivity increase and to improve crop quality."
Bayer CropScience has already developed a strong portfolio of crop protection products, according to a press release. Key innovations presented at the congress include:
- Emesto™, a high performing fungicide to manage tuber and soil disease.
- Movento™, an innovative tool to provide sustainable control of the Zebra disease vectored by psyllids.
- Velum™, a powerful tool for control of nematodes with a favorable safety and environmental profile offering long-lasting control at very low application rates.
In addition, to these products, the company also recently innovated the biological fungicide Serenade™, which enhances Integrated Pest Management systems and provides a new tool in resistance management when used in combination or rotation with chemicals.
"With the Chinese central government’s decision to position potatoes as an alternative staple food, the crop is expected to play an important role in safeguarding the domestic food supply," says Rob Hulme, Country Head of Bayer CropScience in China. "The country is already today the largest producer of potatoes worldwide and potato cultivation still has huge untapped potential in terms of quantity and quality. Apart from contributing to Chinese food security and more diversity in diets, higher consumption of the tuber crop could help promote long-term sustainability of the local agriculture. Compared to other staple crops, growing potatoes is less demanding in terms of water requirements and relies much less on irrigation.”
Besides assisting farmers in the field with its products, Bayer CropScience aims to foster stronger links along the supply chain to promote sustainable agriculture as well. In its Food Chain Partnership projects, the company tries to bring together farmers, traders, processors, and retailers for the benefit of all partners involved and ultimately the consumer at home. Customers and partners benefit from efficient traceability systems, support for global certification and extensive market access know-how, Bayer says.
Keep looking to AndNowUKnow as we update you on what’s next for Bayer CropScience.
