Corteva turns five: Supporting farmers with groundbreaking innovation

I still remember, like it was yesterday, the landmark occasion of Corteva's beginning, with the opening ring of the York Stock Exchange bell on June 4, 2019. Gathering with colleagues and customers on that exciting day, we knew it was the start of something extraordinary. Corteva Agriscience was born, spinning off from our heritage company to forge a new and distinct identity. Our name, Corteva, aptly reflects our meaning: the heart of nature, as sustainability is central to who we are. In all that we do, we are committed to supporting farmers' progress. As a global pure-play agriculture company our focus is on the development of innovative and sustainable solutions growers need to maximize yield and profitability.

The Beginning

The past five years have been a remarkable journey of growth and achievement. Together, we have built Corteva into a brand that is recognized for its market-leading portfolio, strong innovation pipeline, and unwavering values. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished and the impact we have made so far in the agricultural industry.

From the very beginning, Corteva has been guided by a robust set of values and an inspiring purpose. We are committed to enriching the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. This commitment to sustainability and innovation is our north star, guiding every aspect of our decision-making in our constantly evolving business, and ensuring we remain true to our core brand identity.

Investing in Sustainable Agriculture

These past five years, we have invested in our bandwidth, and capacity to serve growers across EMEA. This journey has included the acquisition of Symborg and Stoller , positioning us as a world leader in the rapidly expanding Biologicals sector. We have opened new hubs of production and innovation, including two Centers of Seed Applied Technologies in Aussonne, France and Rosslyn, South Africa, to develop the best seed treatments for our customers. We continually expand our capabilities, investing in world-class facilities to innovate and progress towards a better tomorrow. There are further exciting developments on the horizon, including the transformative potential of technologies such as New Genomic Techniques, offering further hope to farmers grappling with a multitude of challenges.

ID&E Values

Of course, world-class facilities mean nothing without a talented team to power our progress. As an organization dedicated to advancing agriculture with innovative solutions, we need an exceptional team to power our progress. Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ID&E) are essential to our success. Diverse talents and perspectives fuel creativity, curiosity, and innovation, enhancing our ability to provide farmers with the best products and solutions. Our employee-led Business Resource Groups are instrumental in cultivating a welcoming environment for all and are active throughout the year with informative events and gatherings. 

We are actively working to create a more equitable agri industry within our business with solid inclusion, diversity, and equity values and beyond, supporting rural women developing agribusinesses through our TalentA initiative. This educational grant program was piloted in Spain in 2019 and has operated in Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Ukraine, enriching the lives of more than 1,200 so far, helping to forge a more equitable agri sector for women.

We have also been active in promoting and amplifying women in the agriscience sector, such as the SoilSistas program in South Africa and the #Inspirer video campaigns throughout the region offering women inspiring advice and insights on working in the industry.

Facing Challenges Together

We have encountered unexpected challenges along the way, among them the COVID-19 pandemic. While it posed a considerable hurdle, our team responded innovatively to ensure we could continue supporting and supplying growers with the expertise and solutions needed to #KeepGrowing. Our team’s resilient and dynamic response to change and challenges is a testament to our people and the culture we actively cultivate here at Corteva, where we believe that for every problem, there is a solution, and together, we will solve it. 

On February 24, 2022, the devastating news of Russia’s full-scale invasion of my homeland, Ukraine, sent shockwaves around the world, changing everything overnight for the people of Ukraine and our team based there.

I was incredibly proud to be a leader at Corteva Agriscience the day we announced we were leaving the Russian market due to its military invasion in Ukraine. It is a decision that is in complete alignment with our values, which have also been expressed through our work in the region since the war began, taking action to support and protect our Ukrainian colleagues and their families, our customers, and the communities in which we operate. Our work is ongoing in providing direct and indirect aid to address humanitarian needs, and we continue to stand #SolelyWithUkraine.

Enriching Lives

Corteva partners with local and regional communities through outreach programs across EMEA to help enrich lives. Through Corteva Grows, employees volunteer across EMEA to empower women, enable youth, and improve their communities. Every year, our volunteers do good for the communities they operate in, and it is incredible to see the extent of their efforts; from cooking for food banks to coastal clean-ups and painting community centers, our team never shies away from pulling up their sleeves and getting stuck in to help others.

Looking Ahead

Our work over the past five years has helped farmers address new and existing challenges and, in doing so, has also helped to feed the world’s growing population. From working towards greater food security to our philanthropic endeavors and commitment to creating a more equitable world by empowering women in agriculture, it’s been a busy five years! Our actions and decisions during this time make us who we are and have contributed to forging the unique identity we can be proud of today.

Most of all, we achieved this together. Our teams’ connections are strong, not siloed, and we take the time to celebrate our people, purpose, and progress. I still have fond memories of the team surprising me with a birthday cake at last year’s Euroseeds Congress event. The little things we do to help and celebrate each other are what transform a group of people into a team.

Today, I encourage taking a moment to pause and reflect on what we have achieved together over the past five years to see how far we have come, what we have achieved, and how our work is enriching lives. It has been half a decade of progress and success, and I am grateful to our EMEA team for having the vision, courage, and tenacity to achieve more year after year.

As we come full circle, returning to where it all began five years ago with a live event to celebrate the beginning of our journey, broadcast to all our teams worldwide, I want to thank the team, our partners, and our farmers. I look forward to our bright future, working together to support farmers, enrich lives, and seize the opportunities of the next five years and beyond!

#TheBestIsYetToCome #OneCorteva #CortevaTurns5