OREANDA-NEWS. BASF’s Crop Protection division presented its solutions for the future of food availability and quality of life in Asia Pacific. BASF aims to address these challenges by introducing new technologies, broadening farmer education and co-creation initiatives, increasing investments in production capacity and R&D as well as collaborating with food value chain partners. These initiatives will enable BASF to support growers in Asia Pacific more efficiently and broadly.

From 2008 to 2012, the Crop Protection division’s R&D expenditures have grown annually by 7% on average, from €325 million to €430 million. The company will continue to invest heavily in R&D projects in the future. Over the next few years, BASF also plans to spend on average €300 million annually on additional production capacities globally for its portfolio of agricultural solutions. “These investments mean that BASF can continue to support food availability in Asia Pacific and around the world more broadly,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “We are specifically investing in research, development and production in Asia Pacific as part of BASF’s globalization efforts, which will enhance our collaboration with growers in the region.”

Expanding production in Asia Pacific
BASF will build a new formulation and packaging plant for crop protection products in Rudong, Jiangsu Province, China. With an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons, the plant is expected to be fully operational in 2014 and will have more than 100 employees. “The site will cover nearly our entire solution portfolio, which will enable us to respond much more quickly and efficiently to growers’ needs in China and Southeast Asia,” said Raman Ramachandran, Senior Vice President BASF Crop Protection Asia Pacific.

Food security – an increasing issue in Asia Pacific
With the most rapidly increasing population, strong demand growth and continued urbanization, food production in Asia Pacific is facing huge challenges. “ Food security is back on the global agenda”, said Professor Peter Warr, Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific and guest speaker at the BASF Media Event . “ Enhancing food security requires reducing the relative price of food, reducing poverty, and raising productivity through improved agricultural technology.” Warr emphasized that Asia Pacific has great potential for increased productivity. To reach that goal, research and development activities are needed with results that can be adapted to individual countries and regions.