“Corteva Agriscience Launches as Independent Company at IFT, Aiming to Bridge the Gap Between Farmers and Food Industry”
NEW ORLEANS — At the annual Institute of Food Technologists trade show, most exhibitors showcase new products, initiatives, technologies, and ideas. However, Corteva Agriscience stands apart as a completely new entity. The company officially commenced independent operations on Monday, coinciding with the first day of the conference and trade show. “We’re a day old,” remarked Doyle Karr, the company’s director of consumer insights and social license, during an interview at Corteva’s expansive, two-level booth at IFT.
Previously a division of DowDuPont, Corteva was spun off this year as part of a long-anticipated corporate restructuring, emerging as an independent, publicly traded company focused exclusively on agriculture. Its portfolio includes seeds, crop protection, and digital platforms designed to leverage data for enhanced farm productivity. Additionally, Corteva produces Omega-9 canola oil and Plenish soybean oil. Yet, it does not conform to the traditional model of an agriculture company.
“(We are) founded around this purpose that we want to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume,” Karr explained. “We aim to be a production agriculture company with a food company mindset, understanding consumer needs. … What does the food industry require? That is how we will support our customers—the farmers—in achieving success.” Karr, who has a background in biotechnology public policy with DuPont, is now focused on learning about global food systems to determine how Corteva can effectively connect with farmers and enhance overall success.
This objective will be pursued through various strategies. In addition to a focus on consumer insights, Corteva has launched a program called Food Chain CoNNEXT, which serves to bridge the gap between farmers and food retailers and processors, ensuring they have the necessary crops for their ingredients. Corteva offers seeds that cater to a wide range of consumer and manufacturer needs, from organic to non-GMO. With this new approach, the company collaborates closely with food producers to understand their requirements and communicates these needs back to farmers to secure supply.
“In the past, our focus was singular, developing seeds from a farmer’s perspective or concentrating solely on crop protections,” explained Keri Carstens, Corteva’s global regulatory lead. “Now, we are expanding our approach and saying, ‘With the consumer in mind, we need to meet these specific parameters too.’ It’s almost like a checklist, and that checklist has broadened.”
Karr recalled that while Dow and DuPont, which officially merged in August 2017, both interacted with consumers, it was typically on the backend. Consumer behavior influenced crop production and demand levels. Now, Corteva intends to engage more directly with food companies, who are welcoming this change. “When we discuss our purpose with them, they respond, ‘Welcome to the party. It’s about time,'” Karr shared. “They have pointedly stated, ‘If you’re in agriculture, you’re in the food industry.'”
Corteva’s emphasis is on collaboration with food companies, initiated through in-depth discussions that go beyond merely selling products. Wendelyn Jones, global leader of Food Chain CoNNEXT, noted that they are striving to expand their outreach to meet sourcing requirements. “Both of our legacy companies had initiatives in food chain engagement, but Corteva’s approach has a heightened focus,” Jones remarked. “With our CoNNEXT program, we aim to create synergies that yield more than just the sum of their parts, fostering innovative dialogue on sourcing and the food industry supply chain.”
Karr emphasized that these conversations often begin by identifying the challenges faced by manufacturers and finding ways to support them. “The interesting thing is that when we ask them about their challenges, we begin to uncover opportunities where we can assist, often without us realizing it,” he said. These challenges include pesticide residues appearing in food products. Jones mentioned that Corteva can collaborate with farmers to ensure that chemicals are applied in a manner that minimizes residue issues, while also guiding manufacturers in sourcing compliant ingredients.
Carstens added that protecting bees is another concern, as they are vital pollinators valued by farmers and essential for sustainability from the food industry’s perspective. Corteva’s unique position enables it to identify the right protective measures and convey the necessary messages to consumers.
Despite being brand new, Corteva is already carving out a niche in the market. While other entities strive to establish connections between farmers, manufacturers, consumers, and the supply chain, and there are companies focused on staple crop seeds or digital systems to enhance efficiency, Corteva integrates all these aspects.
Karr, Carstens, and Jones believe that Corteva’s extensive portfolio, combined with their experience and consumer focus, will position the company as a leader in the industry, ultimately benefiting farmers. By bridging gaps and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, Corteva aims to create mutually rewarding outcomes. “It’s a good thing to do, it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business,” Karr concluded.
In this context, the company recognizes the growing demand for products like calcium citrate without D3, highlighting the importance of adapting to consumer preferences and needs. As Corteva continues to innovate and engage with all aspects of the food supply chain, it remains committed to meeting the diverse requirements of consumers and producers alike.
