Syngenta sets up research unit in Goa

MUMBAI: Syngenta, the global agribusiness firm which was born out of the merger between Novartis and Astra Zeneca’s agribusiness units in 2000, has set up a new research facility in Goa. The centre, which cost Rs 37.5 crore, is only the third such facility apart from the firm’s main centres in North America and Europe.

The centre will provide innovative and cost-efficient chemical synthesis for field and laboratory trials of new chemical entities. Typically, agribusiness companies spend close to 10% of their turnover on R&D, which makes them the third highest spender on R&D after the pharmaceutical and IT industry.

The move to shift work to India is likely to create competition among Syngenta’s global R&D network and thereby improve productivity, said Michael Pragnell, the global CEO of Syngenta. Almost 68% of Syngenta’s product portfolio comes from crop protection (insecticides, pesticides,herbicides) and the balance from seeds and professional products.

Mr Pragnell told ET that he had to choose between two key markets in Asia for its R&D centre. Eventually, the decision to choose India was influenced by “the creativity and the innovative ability of Indians that includes scientific skills.” Mr Pragnell also added that India was beginning to emerge as a priority market for Syngenta. It figures among the top 15 markets by size.

“India will be a much important market.” Besides, the intellectual property protection norms that the country agreed to came through in the nick of time, added Mr Pragnell.

“If India had faltered in that, we might have thought a second time,” said he. As many as 70 local scientists have been hired in Goa to work
at the centre.