In 25 years of activity, Syngenta has undergone a major transformation, making itself one of the world leaders in agro-industry. A quarter century has consolidated its capacity to invest in research and development and expand its presence in emerging markets, maintaining strong operational and strategic autonomy. In Italy, the company employs around 300 collaborators and records a turnover of more than 200 million euros in 2024, operating throughout the agricultural supply chain through three divisions: crop protection, seeds and naturally (biologically) inspired solutions, the latter experiencing strong expansion thanks to increasing attention to sustainability.
On the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary, which will be celebrated on November 13, Syngenta Italy CEO Massimo Scaglia takes stock and looks to the company’s future. “Twenty-five years of history and its influence on Italian agriculture is a source of great pride for us – Scaglia told AdnKronos –. An anniversary is an event to be celebrated but also a moment of reflection, and we asked ourselves what are the common factors that unite this long history. We think that the closeness to the farmers, listening to their problems, presenting innovative solutions and the quality of the people in the region have been elements of success that represent a common thread throughout.”
Looking back, Syngenta has made a significant contribution to the modernization of Italian agriculture, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. “For us – according to Scaglia’s observations – environmental sustainability has always been an important element. Pressure from environmental organizations has pushed our research towards increasingly innovative solutions with lower environmental impact. However, this is an adventure born a few years ago: Syngenta has always been committed to offering suitable solutions with the lowest possible impact. Of course, this must be combined with crop profitability: there is always a balance between sustainability and profitability that we must guarantee to farmers”.
With the reduced availability of active substances at European level, companies have chosen to invest in alternative solutions. “We are managing the transition by investing in innovative solutions – explains the top manager -. We continue to invest in chemical synthesis, which we still believe is necessary, but we are evolving towards less impactful products. Globally, Syngenta invests one and a half billion dollars per year in research and development.” In Italy, the contribution to research is concrete and divided into two centers of excellence: the global biostimulant center in Atessa, Abruzzo – also the result of the acquisition of Valagro – and the innovation center in Foggia, dedicated to experimentation and the development of new solutions for the national and international region.
The group established ‘Sustainability Priorities’ by 2025, a global program with measurable goals in the areas of reducing environmental impact, protecting biodiversity and supporting farmers. “At global level we want to help farmers to operate in the best way while respecting the environment – stresses Scaglia -. In Italy we focus on regenerative agriculture and projects that improve soil health. We are working on products based on microorganisms that can replace chemical fertilizers such as urea, thereby reducing consumption and emissions of nitrogen into the air. The aim is to improve the quality of the soil and the environment.”
Digitalization is one of the big challenges for the future of this sector. According to Scaglia, penetration of new technology is still limited, but continues to grow. “Adoption of new technologies is still low, around 8%, but around 35% of farmers are starting to approach digital farming. We strongly believe in the integration between our offering and digital solutions, as it allows us to increase product effectiveness, reduce dosages and intervene only if and when necessary.”
Artificial intelligence is the key to Syngenta’s competitiveness. “It is a tool that we are adopting in various fields – according to him – in research, because it allows us to focus efforts on molecules that better meet farmers’ needs and regulatory requirements; in logistics, to optimize deliveries and reduce CO2 emissions; and in internal processes, to increase efficiency and reduce costs. But above all, AI is essential in digital agriculture, because it helps farmers make more targeted and sustainable decisions.”
Looking to the future, Scaglia concludes, “I believe that in 25 years Syngenta will still have an important role for Italian agriculture, because this is our mission. New technologies will help us provide better services and lead the market with innovative solutions. We will continue to do this by providing the most advanced technologies to serve Italian farmers and agriculture.” With a vision that combines innovation, sustainability and proximity to the region, Syngenta Italy prepares for the next quarter century, affirming its leadership and commitment to increasingly regenerative and technological agriculture.
