Corteva to Launch Cutting-edge Technology in Seed Treatment: Dr. Prasanta Patra

With the rising demand for high-quality seeds and increasing awareness of crop protection and, digital solutions, Corteva Agriscience, a global agriculture company, has been helping farmers around the world with the cutting-edge technology-driven portfolio of agri-products.

From Diseases, Insects/Pests to the unpredictable environment and climate shift scenario, farmers face a lot of challenges in producing healthy crops. To address these challenges, the highest-quality seed treatments Corteva is coming with newly invented molecules combination having significant results in the fields to cut down pest and disease incidents and application of pesticides, and fungicides.

While seed treatment technologies provide effective protection for seeds to help them get off to a healthy start, it must be noted that different seed treatment technologies are available but the technology, Seed Applied Technology (SAT) introduced by Corteva could be a game changer.

For instance, a number of insects pose a threat to paddy cultivation. Infestations of brown plant hoppers, yellow stem borer, and leaf folders are widespread in paddy farming. Corteva's seed-applied treatment could be full-proof protection against yellow stem borer, leaf folder, and brown plant hoppers and has shown excellent performance. This can boost production potential and provides the seed with complete protection during its most susceptible period.

To protect seeds and seedlings against pests, fungi, and soil-borne pathogens, seeds are treated by directly applying chemical or biological treatments, such as fungicides or insecticides, to the surface of the seeds which not only attracts the cost of production but also increases the men power and human intervention. Seed treatment technology invented by Corteva may boost the possibility of high-quality and improved harvests by enhancing seed and plant health, germination rates, and protection of plants from the start when they are most vulnerable to pests and disease.   Farmers may find that after the plant emerges, they don't need to apply as much crop protection product as seeds are already protected against a variety of risks. This is good for the farmer’s bottom line, too—requiring fewer resources and less labor.

On Tuesday, scientists from Corteva said during a media tour of the Toopran Research Centre (TRC) in the Medak area that the treated seeds would protect paddy crops against insect attacks for 60 to 70 days after they were sown. The seeds would ensure at least five additional bags of produce in addition to reducing the crop duration by five to ten days and protecting them from pests.

Dr. P K Pant, COO of Krishi Jagran and the newly appointed DG of AJAI, had an interaction with Dr. Prasanta Patra, Regional Commercialization & Business Lead, Seed Applied Technologies Portfolio APAC. Dr. Patra said, “Seed Applied Technology (SAT) is at a nascent stage in India, especially for rice.  Corteva’s seed-applied solutions will help provide farmers with the tools they need for more sustainable food production. Because Seed Applied Technology involves treating the seed rather than applying crop protection solutions in the field, they can help lower the environmental exposure to chemicals in agriculture.”

Commenting on its commitment to the Indian market and the seed-applied technology, Rahoul Sawani, President, South Asia, Corteva Agriscience, said, “Farmers are dealing with a growing set of challenges at the farm and field level and over the last few years we have seen unpredictable weather further affecting the yield and profitability of farmers. Advances in seed treatments are a vital tool for effectively addressing these challenges, by helping farmers get their crops off to the best start and achieve a successful harvest. We are pleased to be bringing to market one of the most sophisticated seed treatment products Indian farmers can have at their disposal as another step in our continued commitment to the Indian agriculture ecosystem. We continue to invest in launching new technologies to increase yields, improve livelihoods, and ensure sustained food security in the country.”