Corteva Agriscience, renowned internationally for decades, delivers innovative products that protect farmers’ produce and provide consumers with safe, quality food. Corteva, which emerged from a merger of Dow Chemical and DuPont in 2017, has had regional offices in Kenya for five years.

Corteva has maintained a presence in Kenya through its widely renowned products. Its offices in Kenya, established in 2019, serve as regional headquarters for West, East, South-Central Africa (WESCA). On 1st June this year, the company celebrated its fifth anniversary of enriching both farmers and consumers.

Corteva Agriscience focuses on safeguarding both producers and consumers by offering farmers high-value products. In an interview with Mr. Charles Mutema, the Marketing Lead at Corteva Agriscience, he revealed that they provide top-tier products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides, as evidenced by their portfolio. Mr. Mutema, who has been with the company for nine years, represents both the seeds and crop protection platforms. He emphasized that the company’s success stems from meaningful engagements between producers and consumers, supporting the entire value chain.

Anchored in creating an agricultural ecosystem that supports people, progress, and the planet, Corteva has solidified its presence among farmers. This is evident in the farmers’ familiarity with their products, which they commonly use to address farm challenges.

In celebration of five years in Kenya, Corteva highlighted improvements in farmers’ production thanks to its pocket-friendly products that meet farmers’ needs. Embracing the slogan “Success for a farmer means the world thrives,” Corteva ensures that farmers receive seeds and crop protection products tailored to their challenges, focusing down to the acre.

This success is due to collaboration between farmers, producers, suppliers, and distributors. Such cooperation has enabled the adoption of the latest technologies to grow better food, sustain the land, and conserve resources.

Corteva Solidifying its Presence

Corteva has focused on crop protection and seed business across Africa, the WESCA region having country presence in Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Kenya. Within the past five years, Corteva has acquired two biological companies, Symborg and Stoller, enabling the use of both biological solutions and traditional chemical knowledge. The launch of Zorvec Encantia 330 SE in March 2023, a fungicide with a new active ingredient for control of blight in potato and tomato crops has been instrumental for Corteva in Kenya.

Corteva distributes its products through national and regional distributors countrywide.

Corteva prides itself in obtaining feedback throughout the value chain, enhancing market acceptance of its targeted products. This approach has helped Corteva navigate the unpredictable market and empower farmers nationwide and globally. According to Mr. Mutema, providing farmers with profitable products safeguards their livelihoods. For example, horticulture farmers who meet standards with their flowers earn a better living.

Products like herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides are sold at a balanced rate based on seasons. Sales are well channeled throughout the country, thanks to efficient distribution.

Through teamwork with farmers and training initiatives, Corteva has created more awareness among small-scale farmers. These initiatives aim to drive product stewardship enlightening growers/farmers on product safety from handling, use, storage and disposal.

Eyeing Sustainability

Corteva continually seeks sustainability throughout its product portfolio, from production to consumer use and container management. Being an R&D organization, Corteva focuses on providing innovative solutions leveraged on technology to develop hybrid seeds resilient to climate change. For instance, PAN 3M-05 under Pannar® brand is a drought-tolerant hybrid seed maize that yields in semi-arid and arid areas.

Corteva Agriscience also meets farmers’ needs by developing crop protection solutions that handle unpredictable farm situations. These agrochemicals, with outstanding rainfastness (not washed away by rain) are crucial in reducing potential losses.

These innovations, position Corteva Agriscience as a solutions provider for farmers, helping them overcome challenges and increase yields.

Future Goals amidst Challenges Tackled

One of the greatest challenges that Corteva and the sector of agro-chemicals faces is the issue of counterfeits that are siphoned into the country despite being of low standards and quality.

This has been an issue that the sector has grappled with for long including the taxation matters. Whereby taxes are high on products that are essential for the farmers hence making the pricing shift from what the farmers are used to and can budget for.

According to the Marketing Lead these matters if collectively addressed, the way of doing business would function with ease and seamlessly deliver solutions to farmers.

Corteva Agriscience going forward looks forward to strengthening partnerships with its partners, stakeholders and majorly with its primary customers the farmers. This is aimed at through bringing more innovative products in the space that address specific problems for specific diverse regions.

The company targets increased interactions with the farmers to enhance the tailor-made solutions for their issues faced in marginalized areas throughout the country. Innovation is key for Corteva as it stamps its footprint in the Kenyan market and region beyond with an aim of increasing sales considering easier availability and ease in reach.