‘…Our innovations enable both more productive and more sustainable farming…’
BASF has set out a ten-year outlook for agricultural innovations which will focus on improving outcomes in crops such as wheat, canola, soybean, corn, cotton, rice as well as fruits and vegetables.
The company said the plan will support food security, while minimizing the impact of farming on climate change and the environment, and will see innovation across its pipeline of seeds and traits, seed treatment, biological and chemical crop protection and digital farming solutions. In addition, major ‘pipeline projects’ will be launched across all business areas over the next decade. BASF said that its innovation pipeline has an estimated peak sales potential in excess of €7.5 billion.
Among the projects, BASF will be working to increase wheat yields. It is estimated that to meet the needs of a growing global population, wheat yields need to increase by 1.7% annually for the next 20 years. BASF is developing solutions to meet this demand and by the second half of this decade is set to launch Ideltis hybrid wheat, which will be supported by Digital Farming Solutions for optimised seeding, specific data analysis and precise application of sustainable crop protection innovations.
The company also has a global focus with seed, crop protection and digital solutions tailored to farmers in Latin American and Asia. These solutions include Smart Spraying for the precision control of weeds which has been developed by BASF in collaboration with Bosch. The technology is said to offer ‘real-time, automated pre-and post-emergence weed identification and management.’ The Smart Spraying solution is expected to launch in Brazil, North America and Europe in the next 18 months.
Other areas where BASF is set to deliver innovative solutions include canola production in the US and Canada and reducing emissions and water usage in rice cultivation in Asia. In addition, the company is working on optimising seed and crop production for growing food indoors.
Dr Livio Tedeschi, President of BASF Agricultural Solutions said: ‘…Our innovations enable both more productive and more sustainable farming – key levers identified by the United Nations and incorporated in their Sustainable Development Goals. At BASF Agricultural Solutions, we made this a priority and committed to clear and measurable targets to boost sustainable agriculture by 2030.’
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