Italy - Corteva Agriscience invests to improve seed quality in Europe

Thanks to an investment of almost US$10 million, a new corn dryer is now operational at the seed production plant in Sissa (PR).

The latest-generation dryer, which replaces two obsolete ones, will increase the efficiency of Pioneer^® brand seeds produced in Sissa and will help avoid damage to the seed by preserving its germination capacity to obtain a healthy and abundant harvest.

Corteva continues to focus on innovation as a critical driver of growth while improving operations to provide farmers with the best agricultural solutions. The investment in this innovative technology will lead to increased competitiveness and economic development in the Italian market, and the Sissa plant will continue to efficiently produce the highest quality seeds that farmers expect from Corteva.

Alfredo Martani, Production Location Manager of Corteva Italia, said, ″This investment reflects Corteva’s commitment to simplifying the production of quality seeds in Europe and represents a further step in our mission to provide farmers with innovative and sustainable solutions that adapt to the current and future challenges of the agricultural sector. It will also allow us to continue to support farmers who are facing the growing national and international demand for high-quality seeds needed to obtain healthy crops and abundant yields. This new dryer further strengthens Corteva’s reputation for seed quality and will add value to the production process, so we will continue to develop higher quality seeds more efficiently.″

The Sissa plant, the largest in Italy, opened in 1978 and was acquired by the company in 1981. It has been expanded significantly in recent years, with a new corn conditioning unit in 2019 and additional processing capacity in 2020. Supported by a dynamic team of nearly 200 permanent and seasonal employees, the plant is the ideal location for a faster production cycle of Pioneer® brand hybrids.

Corteva employs approximately 500 people in Italy, spread between its headquarters in Cremona, the research center and analysis laboratory in Gadesco (CR), the Seed plant in Sissa, and the Crop Protection plant in Mozzanica (BG).