ZIMBABWE – Corteva Agriscience, a division of United States-based global agricultural inputs provider DowDuPont, has entered into a strategic partnership with Zimbabwe’s Valley Seeds in a bid to enhance growth in the agriculture sector.
The partnership seeks to enhance to the accessibility of high yielding seed products as well as improve agronomy and training services in the country, reports NewsDay.
“This collaboration endorses our commitment to collaboration across the food chain to transform the role of agriculture in society and enhance the livelihood of farmers in Zimbabwe.
Corteva Agriscience will support Valley Seeds by providing agronomic support and services,” said Joseph Anampiu, Corteva Commercial Unit leader for East Africa.
Agriculture deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos said hailed the collaboration adding that multinationals should forge similar strategic partnerships in order to drive growth in various sectors.
“I hope that this collaboration will foster large-scale job creation and meaningful technology transfer, training and capacity building for Valley Seeds and other players in the industry.
“As rising populations and incomes increase pressure on land and other resources, agricultural productivity plays an increasingly important role in improving food security and affordability,” he added.
Corteva, which produces agricultural inputs including crop protection technologies and seeds under the brands Pioneer and Pannar in Zimbabwe, has had presence in various African countries for over 60 years.
“This strategic collaboration will ensure that we will continue supplying farmers with outstanding products, service and the agronomy support farmers in Zimbabwe know and expect from the brand,” said Temba Nkatazo, founder and chief executive officer of Valley Seeds.
Corteva provides a broad range of inputs in various stages production through technology adoption in a range of economic and market conditions.
Early May, DowDuPont’s Board of Directors approved the previously announced separation of DowDuPont’s Agriculture Division, which is set to become Corteva Agriscience™ on June 1, 2019.
“We believe Corteva is set to be a leading pure-play agriculture company with a balanced portfolio and robust innovation pipeline that will drive long-term value for shareholders,” said Ed Breen, chief executive officer of DowDuPont.
DowDuPont, a holding company comprised of the future Corteva Agriscience™ and DuPont, has also previously announced that it intends to change its registered name from ‘DowDuPont Inc.’ to ‘DuPont de Nemours, Inc.’ doing business as ‘DuPont,’ on June 1, 2019.
