Syngenta, IECA Expand Sustainable Agriculture Training in Mexico

22.01.2026 183 views

Syngenta launched an online training program focused on sustainable agriculture and the professionalization of the agricultural sector. The initiative is open nationwide to agrifood professionals seeking to improve productivity while adopting responsible and regenerative practices. 

In collaboration with the State Training Institute (IECA) of Guanajuato, the multinational company opened a call through which it will award 300 scholarships to individuals interested in enrolling in a fully free online course via the #PROAgricultor educational platform. The invitation is open nationwide, aimed at the general public, farmers, students, agronomists, technicians, producers, distributors, rural communities, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture.

The program consists of nine specialized modules covering topics such as the responsible management of crop protection products, regenerative agriculture and biodiversity, soil health, integrated pest management, agricultural certifications, international standards, maximum residue limits, and finance applied to agriculture, among other key contents.

This alliance is part of a broader effort launched in September 2025, when IECA formalized a network of strategic partnerships with internationally renowned organizations, including Syngenta, John Deere, the Board of Trustees of Expo Agroalimentaria Guanajuato, Fundación Guanajuato Produce, and CANACINTRA, to consolidate a collaborative ecosystem that supports agrifood development.

These agreements include joint actions in training, technology transfer, the granting of scholarships, and the use of specialized facilities to create new learning opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness of producers, technicians, young people, and companies in the agrifood sector.

Yinet Fabiola Rizo Morales, Operations Coordinator, IECA, highlighted that these alliances multiply opportunities and ensure a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable future for Guanajuato. “We are building a collaborative ecosystem where knowledge, technology, and training become tools to transform the agricultural sector,” she said.

Training and Skills Development for the Agrifood Sector

IECA offers the productive sector around 133 courses and workshops focused on developing technical and labor skills in the agricultural field. Topics include strawberry cultivation in semi-intensive systems, integrated pest management, biological pest control, the production of bio-inputs and organic insecticides, phytosanitary management in vegetables, conservation tillage and agave cultivation, irrigation systems, soil restoration, post-harvest grain handling, and greenhouse maintenance.

For the livestock sector, the platform provides specialized courses in equine dentistry, beekeeping and hive management, sanitary management of dual-purpose cattle, rabbit production and fattening, integrated management of sheep and goats, as well as pig fattening and reproduction.

In the food sector, the educational offering covers meat production, the preparation of herbal and dairy products, nutritional labeling, principles of food microbiology, food safety, quality control, cold packaging of vegetables, and a culture of food safety.

IECA also offers related specializations in environmental topics, including wastewater treatment in protected agriculture, solar water heaters, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, hazardous waste management, and climate change mitigation practices applied to the agroindustrial sector.

Innovation, Sustainability and Digital Agriculture

In 2025, Syngenta reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and agricultural sustainability in the state. During Expo Agro Guanajuato, the company presented its portfolio combining conventional crop protection solutions and biological products, along with solutions designed to support farmers in producing more food sustainably.

Among the innovations highlighted were Zervana and Talete, technologies that help crops cope with water stress, optimize water use, and promote more efficient development. Moreover, Miravis 200 SC has established itself as a next-generation fungicide that protects roots from the earliest stages of cultivation, reducing pathogen resistance and improving soil health. Taegro, meanwhile, is a biofungicide that promotes plant growth and acts as a natural shield against phytopathogenic fungi, strengthening plant health without leaving toxic residues.

These solutions are complemented by Viva, a biostimulant that activates the soil microbiome, improves nutrient absorption, and strengthens root development. In the foliar segment, Elebrans, made from sugarcane extract, and Elestal 300 SC, a new-generation insecticide that is safe for pollinating insects, stand out for their effectiveness, compatibility with sustainable practices, and contribution to responsible pest management.

“The integration of science and nature is not an option, but a necessity. Our commitment is to support producers with tools that allow them to produce more, better, and leave the system better than they found it,” said Montserrat Benítez, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Syngenta Mesoamerica.

Another of Syngenta’s core pillars is digital tools. Through Protector, Explorer, Sustainability, and Operations, producers can monitor their crops, identify priority areas, measure environmental performance, and optimize operations with precision. “This technological integration is not intended to replace the farmer’s experience, but to enhance it. The land retains its wisdom, and technology becomes its ally to produce more efficiently,” the company highlighted.

In this regard, the company recently formalized a multi-year agreement with SAP SE, a German enterprise in software management. This alliance seeks to integrate artificial intelligence into the core of the company to modernize processes ranging from manufacturing and supply chains to grower-focused services, enabling accelerated innovation through advanced data analytics.

This movement will help the company pursue smarter, faster decision-making that drives operational efficiency and accelerates innovation. Additionally, Syngenta will be able to deliver better products and services to growers worldwide while enabling them to retain control and privacy over their proprietary information.

“Syngenta’s transformation sets a benchmark for digital innovation in agriculture. Together, we’re demonstrating how cloud and AI technologies can drive sustainable growth and efficiency in one of the world’s most critical industries. This partnership will help Syngenta future-proof its operations to feed the world responsibly,” stated Philipp Herzig, Chief Technology Officer, SAP SE.

 

Source - https://mexicobusiness.news

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