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Helping farmers navigate a difficult farm economy

The head of Syngenta crop protection says innovation can help farmers navigate a tighter farm economy.

Vern Hawkins says it starts with understanding farm profitability levels. “The return on investments is a big part of the value that we bring when they choose to use one of our products,” he says.  “Sometimes they have limited resources. We have to help them know what’s the best return they can get for the money they’re willing or able to spend.”

And, he tells Brownfield sometimes its helping farmers understand what system gives them the best return.  “Helping them adopt that position if that’s something that they have interest in or buy in to do,” he says. 

Hawkins says the lower farm income cycle may last several years, and farmers need to take steps to future-proof their operations.

AUDIO: Vern Hawkins, Syngenta