Syngenta Seeds Canada donates seed for a brighter future in Southern Sudan

Date:03-09-2011

Syngenta Seeds Canada, Inc. has made a donation of soy and corn seed to the Canadian Economic Development Assistance for Southern Sudan (CEDASS). The donation assists the Jebel Lado project, a unique effort aimed at establishing one of the first mechanized farming operations in Southern Sudan. The group will plant 120 acres this spring.

Syngenta has been a strong supporter of the London-based, volunteer driven project since it was formed in 2006. The company has donated seed and offered agronomic support and advice. Syngenta believes in enabling farmers from around the world to build and maintain sustainable agriculture and is proud to be playing a part in helping to feed the world.

"At Syngenta, we support farmers caring for farmers around the globe,” says Ron Taylor, Marketing Manager for Syngenta Seeds Canada. “We are committed to
helping produce enough food, feed, fuel and fibre to meet the increased global demand. By providing the people of Southern Sudan with the tools they need to be self-sufficient, we are helping a rural community build capacity.“

Through the program, CEDASS volunteers teach Sudanese tribes how to plant, grow and harvest their own crops to be able to feed themselves, and eventually the
neighbouring city of Juba. Since the first successful 50 acre harvest in 2010, the Jebel Lado project has quickly grown to a 250 acre plot.

Each acre will produce approximately 1.75 tons of grain distributed by the World Food Programme. The introduction of corn and soybeans is an exciting addition to the normally sorghum-based diet and will diversify the protein sources in the region.

Throughout the years, Syngenta has also donated agronomic support, such as plant reactions to extreme weather conditions and the effects of pressure from native weeds and predation.

"We are very grateful to Syngenta for their ongoing support. Their generosity ensures we can plant another successful crop this year,” says CEDASS founder, David Tennant Sr.