Syngenta Seeds President joins board of The Mama Ada Foundation

Syngenta Seeds, Inc. President and Syngenta Region Director-North America Ponsi Trivisvavet has joined the board of The Mama Ada Foundation. The organization, located in Hopkins, Minnesota, creates education and entrepreneurship opportunities and provides seed and tuition funds for people living in the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. 

 

Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Trivisvavet has a uniquely global perspective on agriculture having most recently served as head of Syngenta’s Southeast Asia territory, where she led agricultural business operations in five major countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Trivisvavet’s primary focus is on leading the Syngenta team in marketing and development of solutions for North American farmers. 

 

“The Mama Ada Foundation is instrumental in helping farmers and students in the Rift Valley Province work toward self-sufficiency,” Trivisvavet said. “Over 2.5 billion people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Smallholder farmers are critical to the world’s food security, yet they often face high financial risks and low returns. Ensuring that farming is a viable and attractive occupation will help to create vibrant, productive rural communities.” 

 

Syngenta first announced a partnership with The Mama Ada Foundation during 2012, responding to a need for funding to provide seed to local farmers. The Mama Ada Foundation was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from Syngenta to pilot a new diagnostic process tool aimed at identifying the local barriers to empowering smallholders and improving rural communities.