Sowing a new future: Susheel Kumar

In the world’s most populous country, where more than two-thirds of its people live in rural areas, the land is a powerful life source. Of those rural inhabitants, 55 percent still depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood.

It’s an interdependence Susheel Kumar understands only too well. Born into an Indian farming community, he has witnessed the trials and tribulations of manual agricultural labor firsthand.

"We did all our agricultural operations by hand," he tells The CEO Magazine. "So I know and understand the pain faced by farmers, where problems lie and how technology can help shift gears."

It was a proud moment and an opportunity for Kumar to take over as the Country Head and Managing Director for Syngenta India in 2022. Renowned for its tireless work to improve farm productivity, Syngenta has done much to enrich and enhance the lives and fortunes of Indian farmers.

Kumar was confident that taking this role would provide a great opportunity to contribute to Indian agriculture.

"My life’s dream has been to do something for Indian agriculture," he reveals. "Now, with this opportunity, I am in a place where I can find the best we can do through Syngenta’s innovation, research, digital push and technology for the Indian farmer."

It’s a mission that has long been close to Kumar’s heart. Working in the agriculture sector was his childhood dream and passion, which is why he opted for bachelor’s degree in agriculture at Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar, followed by master’s program in agriculture business from Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Pune.

"It’s my purpose to do something for my farmers, for agriculture, for the community to have a better livelihood, and to serve the country through food security," he says.

Likewise, ever since Syngenta started its operations in India in 2000, the company has taken significant strides toward progress in Indian agriculture. The company is focused not on big farmers who own more than five hectares of land, but on owners of smaller holdings.

"The needs of the smallholder farmers must be addressed on priority as they are key to moving agriculture to the next level," he says. "Many of these farmers export their produce, so by helping them we will be significantly increasing food production, not only for the country but also for the world."

Plowing the path

One of the key challenges in servicing small farmers in India is their sheer number. Estimates put the number of farmers across the country as high as 150 million, with 82 percent dominated by small and marginal.

"We have millions of farmers and the greatest difficulty we face is in bringing them up to scale," Kumar explains.

Over time, Syngenta discovered that the best way to reach these farmers was through digital channels.

"Rural areas boast an impressive internet penetration rate of over 53 percent," he says. "Farmers have started using social media and the internet. So we are exploring digital ways through which we can reach out and help them."

The Cropwise Grower app is one such initiative through which Syngenta reaches out to farmers to provide customized advice related to agriculture.

"Instead of generic solutions, we are able to help farmers with expert answers to their questions, and with information on crop diseases, weather patterns and how to plan an effective crop blend," Kumar clarifies.

"I am sure, in the next three-to-five years, no-one can catch up with India’s technological innovations and the benefits it brings to our country."

Meanwhile, Syngenta’s R&D division works tirelessly to provide solutions that work best for Indian farmers.

"One of our core offerings to farmers is quality seeds. For the Indian farmers, we are trying to identify seeds that can adapt to various environmental and weather conditions and can survive on less water," he says.

"Our portfolio of strategies covers every part of the farmer’s work. We strive to offer these solutions with the perfect mix of quality and affordability for Indian farmers."

Syngenta India also undertakes many CSR initiatives to impact the lives beyond the farm. I-CLEAN (Inculcating Cleanliness, Learning, Education, Awareness and New Habits), one of Syngenta’s innovative projects, seeks to make a long-term impact on socioeconomic conditions in India’s local communities by providing hygienic infrastructure for villages in need.

"Our focus is to empower farmers by creating an enabling environment," he explains. "The I-CLEAN project addresses inadequate infrastructure and unhygienic conditions in rural vegetable markets by strengthening rural marketplaces, providing access to clean water, sanitation facilities, solar lights, waste management facilities, all adding to ease of living and earning for farmers."

So far, I-CLEAN has been rolled out in 25 rural markets across six states, including more than 500 villages. "It’s progressing very well. We’ve been adding more markets so we may upscale it to the next level," he adds.

Safety remains of paramount significance to Syngenta’s philosophy and Kumar is quick to highlight the company’s key stewardship activities including the very impactful I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmers Empowerment) program, which works on training and awareness among farmers. 

"We are striving to bring in the world’s best safety standards to Indian agrochemical industries," Susheel emphasizes.

Farmer’s friend

Empowering India’s farmers is at the core of Syngenta’s business model, according to Kumar.

"Whatever we do, we have the farmer’s interests as the center of our effort," he says.

In line with this, Syngenta is deploying a host of solutions and programs to help farmers in sustainable food production. These efforts are aligned with India’s future imperatives.

 

Another vital element in the company’s synergy is the agritech company’s supplier partnerships, with Kumar highlighting these as part of Syngenta’s DNA.

"We have transferred our best technology to our suppliers and they have, in turn, taken it to the next level," he explains. "We are striving to bring in the world’s best safety standards to Indian agrochemical industries."

Syngenta works on trust and has strong ties with several suppliers to offer seamless support to the farming community, especially in export-oriented trade.

"We’re always open for collaboration, all for the success of the farmer," he says.

With an eye on the future, Kumar highlights India’s stride toward self-sufficiency in food, technology, agrochemicals and equipment.

"The future won’t be about one producer. It’s up to us to help India’s agrochemical industry as a whole become full of leading players," he explains.

Indeed, one of the most important takeaways from the global turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is the need for self-reliance. Wherever possible, implementing an end-to-end supply chain ensures feasibility, scale and degree, all of which were cast into doubt by lockdowns.

Such progress will stand Indian agriculture in good stead, despite its volatile nature with weather, abiotic and biotic stress. Forward-looking policies are bringing about positive momentum in the industry.

"I am sure, in the next three-to-five years, no-one will be able to match India’s technological innovations and the benefits it brings to our country," Kumar says.

"Sailing through all of them and yet retaining your calm makes you successful," Kumar reflects. "For me, success is when our products help the Indian farmer achieve better production and thereby a better status. It is then they can have better purchasing power and hence have a better standard of living.

"When farmers have a problem, they turn to Syngenta. We are ready with the technical strength and solutions they require."