Science_Matters_Autumn_2013 - (Page 13)

solution available in China, and we want to liberate the farmer from the heaviest labor and difficulty in selection of seed material," says Hongzhi. "The only decisions for the growers are what variety they want and the planting area to grow it in." Additional services beyond the fields By expanding the offer to the post-harvest segment and building partnerships with specialized service providers to the potato industry, Syngenta is also helping growers to reduce post-harvest losses caused by tuber sprouting and diseases. These losses account for more than 30% of yields in emerging markets. Syngenta is also providing valuable services to Chinese growers. These include linking them to machinery companies to drive access to mechanical planters, and to the potato value chain. "The big players in the potato market, like McCain, are interested in securing a constant supply of high-quality potatoes," says Hongzhi. "By linking the growers to the supply chain, we can help establish this consistency in developing markets." The first results of the project are encouraging. Results so far show that growers using healthy tubers, combined with Syngenta seed treatment and crop protection products, will be able to improve yields by 30 to 80%. They will also save labor costs, increasing their return on investment further. "Through our proof of concept demonstration in 2012, and a prototype test continuing in 2013, the benefits of drought- and salt-resistance from our solution were recognized by farmers and the seed sector; they are pleased with the subsequent yield increases," says Hongzhi. Syngenta's integrated solution for potato has thoroughly changed the seed potato propagators' thinking. They are moving away from the conventional practice of growing seed tubers as big as possible and then cutting for planting. Hongzhi predicts great success for the healthy tuber solution: "Vigorous establishment and higher yield will help small- and middle-hold growers address market risk, with better access from the supply chain as a result from quality improvement. And, most importantly perhaps, a larger and more stable potato yield will help ensure China's food security." Seeing is believing. A larger and more stable potato yield will help ensure China's food security. Zhang Hongzhi Solutions Development Conventional practice (on left) compared to the new system on the right. Manager - Specialty The farmer said: "I never expected the vigorous establishment in my salty field." Crops Hongzhi holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Chemistry from Jilin Agricultural University and a master's degree in Plant Pathology from Zhejiang University. Hongzhi has served as Product Development Manager in R&D China, taking care of fruit and vegetable crops. He is currently Solutions Development Manager, driving development of integrated crop solutions on Specialty Crops, DFC and sugarcane. He also provides agronomic expertise to the China Solutions Development team. Poor establishment due to drought (left) compared with strong establishment (right) from Syngenta Solutions. sm Contact: hongzhi.zhang@syngenta.com Science Matters Keeping up to date with Syngenta R&D 13 

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