Pioneer, a global leader in the supply of agricultural solutions and seeds, is celebrating its 100th year of existence. As part of this celebration, Pioneer is highlighting their deep-rooted partnership with South African farmers.

Jaco Snyman, Business Manager of Pioneer Seed South Africa, states, “Just as Pioneer has supported farmers globally over the past century, we stand ready to tackle the next 100 years together with South African farmers.”

The brand, established 100 years ago by Henry A. Wallace, is built on a legacy of innovation, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to producers. Since developing the first hybrid maize seed in the 1920s, Pioneer has always been at the forefront of agricultural development.

Due to a profound understanding of the unique soil conditions, climate and the daily challenges that South African farmers face, the company’s story in South Africa has been deeply rooted in the local agricultural sector for decades.

Snyman notes that the Pioneer celebration is not merely about looking back; it is about celebrating millions of success stories shared with clients. At the heart of this commitment is their ‘Farmer First’ philosophy, which means that the farmer is the centre of their business, and that every daily decision is made in the farmer’s best interest.

Putting the farmer first is Pioneer’s top priority, says Daneel Fourie, Agri Business Manager of Pioneer Seed South Africa.

“Whether it is in-field support or the products we develop for his specific needs, we will always endeavour to enable him to farm as profitably and sustainably as possible.”

Examples of this progress include drought-resistant cultivars, as well as insect- and weed-resistant cultivars containing Corteva’s PowerCore™ technology. They also offer digital solutions that enable farmers to farm with precision, such as the Pioneer Farmer App and gLink technology, which assist with the accurate prediction of silage cutting times and more.

“Pioneer Seed South Africa utilises their access to global resources and world-class technology, which is refined using local knowledge to fit South African farmers’ practices perfectly,” says Emile van den Berg, National Agronomy Manager at Pioneer Seed South Africa.

What distinguishes Pioneer from their competitors is continuous agronomic support. Pioneer not only provides seed but also supports their offerings with data and solutions for precision farming with the aim of achieving better yields.

Van den Berg puts it this way: “Our field agronomists are the key between science and practice; they are the trusted advisors whom farmers can include in their farming operations with confidence. They often live in the same communities as the farmers and offer year-round service and expert advice based on detailed cultivar knowledge and data-driven insights.”

The success of the past 100 years creates confidence among producers that Pioneer will be aroundfor another century and longer. As part of the celebrations, Pioneer is planning various events, such as farmers’ days in March, farm visits throughout the year, and a strong presence at NAMPO.

In South Africa and abroad, the company has also made a commitment to community service through 100 000 hours of voluntary work by staff and agents. Pioneer gives their personnel the time and encouragement to get involved in any upliftment project of their choice. Pioneer Seed South Africa is an enthusiastic part of this movement, which focuses on food security and science programmes.

Snyman concludes: “We invite South African farmers, agents and other stakeholders to be part of this milestone, which represents the first step of the next century of sustainable and profitable agriculture.”

For more information regarding Pioneer South Africa’s centenary celebrations, speak to your local Pioneer agent, send an e-mail to info.rsa@pioneer.com, or visit their website at www.pioneer.com/za. Follow Pioneer on their social media channels.