By Brandon Moss

Corteva Agriscience is reinforcing its commitment to agricultural advancement across South Africa through strategic collaborations with leading universities and research institutions. These partnerships are driving innovation in crop science, pest control, sustainable farming, and next-generation breeding technologies—each tailored to meet the evolving needs of African farmers.

Locally Driven Solutions for African Farmers

Corteva’s initiatives are designed to tackle region-specific challenges such as erratic weather, soil degradation, and yield instability. These efforts align with the company’s global sustainability goals, which include improving soil health, stabilizing yields, and reducing agricultural emissions.
One standout outcome is the development of climate-resilient seed varieties using advanced genomic tools. These seeds are helping farmers maintain productivity despite increasing drought conditions and unpredictable weather patterns.

Empowering Seed Producers Through Technology

Through its involvement in the Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) initiative, Corteva is introducing a non-GM trait that streamlines hybrid maize seed production. This innovation reduces manual detasseling and enhances genetic purity—making high-quality maize hybrids more accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers, while supporting food security and rural economies.

Building Infrastructure for Long-Term Impact

Corteva’s investment in South African agriculture includes four specialized R&D facilities:

• Delmas Africa Technology Hub: Focused on genomics and digital phenotyping
• Potchefstroom Research Centre: Dedicated to stress tolerance across multiple crops
• Rosslyn CSAT Facility: Develops seed treatments tailored to local conditions
• Kroonstad Site: Supports seed production through quality testing and parent-seed development

Precision Breeding and Genomic Innovation

Corteva’s precision breeding programmes in South Africa integrate AI, genomic selection, and digital phenotyping to accelerate the development of resilient crop varieties. These technologies are vital in addressing climate variability, drought stress, and pest pressures.

The company also leverages CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance genetic diversity without introducing foreign DNA. Corteva’s open-innovation model allows universities and research groups to access its CRISPR systems—often royalty-free for humanitarian research—encouraging broader collaboration across public and private sectors.

Shaping Policy for Agricultural Progress

Corteva actively engages with government, academia, and industry stakeholders to support regulatory frameworks that enable responsible use of new breeding techniques. The company advocates for science-based policies that balance innovation with safety, ensuring farmers can benefit from emerging technologies.

“Effective policy is foundational to agricultural innovation,” Bresler notes. “We contribute technical expertise to help shape practical, forward-looking regulations.”

A Collaborative Vision for the Future

As South Africa’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressures from climate change and resource constraints, Corteva’s partnership-driven approach is delivering locally adapted innovations that promote productivity, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

“The future of agriculture lies in collaboration,” Bresler concludes. “By uniting industry, academia, and government, we can build solutions that serve both today’s farmers and future generations.”