Syngenta to expand Calif. seed production facility

Syngenta announced a major expansion at its Woodland, Calif., research and development and seed production facility. Construction is set to begin this fall, once local permits are received, and is expected to be complete in 2014.
 
According to Scott Langkamp, Head of Vegetables for Syngenta in North America, the enhanced capability in Woodland demonstrates Syngenta’s commitment to the global seed business, and to the region. Once complete, the new facility will result in an expanded research and development presence in the California Central Valley for cereals, corn, cucurbits (i.e., watermelons, melons and squash) and tomatoes.
 
"The newly expanded Woodland location will be headquarters for Syngenta North American cucurbit research and development activities, and will also host important cereals, corn and tomato research, as well as seed production,” Langkamp said. "Vegetable seed produced at Woodland will be shipped to several countries around the globe.”
 
The site expansion includes:

• New greenhouses and specialized plant growth environments
• A new plant pathology laboratory
• Expanded work space for research and development activities
 
"We are very excited about this expansion and the solutions it will bring to our customers,” Langkamp added. “This investment is consistent with our goals to be an R&D innovator and global breeding leader, and to think like a grower.”