Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
FMC farms with science
Leading agrochemical company FMC develops synthetic and biological products that naturally work on the farm and are better for the planet.
Technological developments and breakthroughs in agriculture not only save producers time and money, but also help to create sustainable practices and often mean the difference between winning or losing at the end of the season.
FMC in Southern Africa is convinced that proven technology in agriculture can unlock the astonishing potential of our subcontinent. With exceptionally strong capabilities in research and development, this company is committed to addressing innovative food security solutions without sacrificing natural resources and the environment.
FMC takes the lead in agricultural science, and with a dedicated management team in South Africa, the company tackles business with infectious enthusiasm. Everyone in the team is South African, each with an excellent agricultural background. The team of area managers understand local agriculture and crop protection very well, and are experts when it comes to the product range.
The parent company, based in the US, is one of the five largest agrochemical companies in the world. International headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a proud heritage of over 130 years, FMC is a pure agricultural science company with numerous achievements around the world, aiming to promote the growth of agriculture through the sustainable protection of crops.
FMC makes significant investments in research and development to discover and develop new technologies, exclusively in chemical and biological crop protection. The company is a constant innovator of advanced chemistry, and boasts leading, worldrenowned active ingredients and products. The products are distributed and serviced by selected local chemical dealers throughout South Africa. South African producers enjoy the advantage of having a professional, organised dealer network at their disposal, which meets the highest standards when it comes to integrity and product knowledge.
According to Bright Breytenbach, commercial lead of Eastern and Southern Africa at FMC, the company is committed to developing sustainable, innovative solutions that help producers fight destructive insects and invasive weeds, and defend against the threat of diseases.
“The volatile climate and COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of food security, and we are happy to do all we can to support producers.
“Sustainability will always come first when we make commercial decisions and formulate investment strategies.
“Our priorities are to increase our investment in Southern Africa, to continually improve our investment in our own people, to nurture our dealer network and then, most importantly, to make new and efficient technology available to producers.
“We are constantly improving our processes in terms of product registration and testing, as well as logistics and imports, and distribution of products to run the business smoothly,” he says.
Another outstanding feature of FMC is its close collaboration with farmers and expert partners to identify, develop and deliver solutions that meet the unique needs of specific regions.
The application of relevant science is undoubtedly the future of agriculture. It can simplify producers’ day-to-day tasks, increase their profits, and improve the sustainability of their businesses.
To farm successfully today, it is definitely a good idea to join forces with partners who have a passion for beneficial technology on the farm.
For details on FMC’s products, email Bright Breytenbach at bright.breytenbach@fmc.com, or Ben Schoonwinkel at ben.schoonwinkel@ fmc.com. Visit ag.fmc.com/za/en.
THE APPLICATION OF RELEVANT SCIENCE IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE