Syngenta
has
introduced sugar beet in India for cultivation in tropical climatic
conditions. Tropical sugar beet brings significant agronomic,
environmental and output advantages to Indian farming and the Indian
economy.
The beet delivers similar output yields to sugar cane and can be
used both for
processing sugar for food and conversion to bio-ethanol.
The
new sugar beet
can be grown in relatively dry areas with substantially less water than
typically required by sugar cane. It is faster growing and can be
harvested
after five months allowing farmers to grow a second crop on the same
land, thus
increasing agricultural output and raising farmer income.
Syngenta
is engaged
in two tropical sugar beet projects:
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Sugar
for food: at Ambad near Jalna, Maharashtra, Samarth Cooperative
Sugar Mill has commissioned a pilot plant for processing
tropical beet in
co-operation with the Vasantdada Sugar Institute. First
harvests delivered
the expected high yield of top-quality
sugar;
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Sugar
for fuel: at Kalas, near Pune, Syngenta co-operates with
over
12,000 farmers linked to Harneshwar Agro Products, Power
and Yeast Ltd,
which built and operates a bio-ethanol production plant
processing
Syngenta tropical beet. The faster growth of tropical beets
increases
annual ethanol output over sugar
cane.
|
“The
Indian
government is highly interested in Syngenta’s technological capabilities to
support growth of India’s agricultural sector”, said Hon. Mr Sharad Pawar,
India’s Minister for Food and Agriculture. “The successful introduction of sugar
beet leads to higher sugar output available for food and energy in
a shorter
period and using less water. I am sure the Indian sugar industry
will happily
work together with Syngenta to further optimize the crop and introduce
it to
growers across the country.”
Robert
Berendes,
Head of Business Development at Syngenta added: “This is a unique project that
benefits growers, consumers and the environment. It is an outstanding
example of
the application of our technology to enhancing agricultural productivity
under
conditions of climatic stress.”
Development
of
tropical sugar beet took over ten years, building on Syngenta’s extensive
breeding know-how and technology base. The company will explore use
of tropical
sugar beet in other tropical regions with poor soil conditions.
Syngenta
is a
world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through
innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop
protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds
market. Sales in 2006 were approximately $8.1
billion. Syngenta employs around 21,000 people in over
90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange
(SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at
www.syngenta.com.
Syngenta
–
August,
28, 2007 / Page 1 of 2
Media
Enquiries:
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|
Médard
Schoenmaeckers (Switzerland)
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+41
61 323
2323
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Sarah
Hull
(US)
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+1
202 628
2372
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Analysts/Investors:
|
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Jonathan
Seabrook
|
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+41
61 323
7502
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+1
202 737
6520
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Jennifer
Gough
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+41
61 323
5059
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+1
202 737
6521
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Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
document
contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology
such
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therefor.
Syngenta
–
August,
28, 2007 / Page 2 of 2
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