Nufarm launches program seeking innovative solutions for weed control in Brazil

In its first year of operations, the Nufarm president said, TecNufarm will receive an investment of R$3 million and will be focused on the development of technological solutions for the control of weeds. Students from 600 public universities across the country will participate in the project through the Desafio Nufarm platform, coordinated by the company Sou Genial, which specializes in creative competitions for companies and young scientists.

The executive director of marketing at Nufarm, Vitor Raposo, explained that in the first stage, 15 researchers would be selected to adopt the “open innovation” system.

“This model, supported by the integrated vision and diversity of ideas, will result in effective solutions for major real-world challenges related to weeds. The best ideas will be acted upon across the country with the support of Nufarm,” stated Raposo.

For the research coordinator of herbology at the ABC Foundation, Luís Henrique Penckowski, the Nufarm program represents an opportunity to encourage innovation among the youth. “The proposal is interesting and challenging because (it deals with) weed management, which is the most complex and important challenge we face today due to resistance to herbicides,” the researcher remarked.

Professor Robinson Osipe from the State University of Northern Paraná thinks the partnership between public universities and private companies is beneficial. “The proposal by Nufarm to return to basics and involve students is creative. Innovation will come from these young people,” Osipe noted.

Raposo added that in the near future, other partnerships would be encouraged by the TecNufarm program, which will always be focused on the portfolio of technological solutions the company intends to launch in the Brazilian market and on its range of biological products and seed-treatment products.