Water
More than Crop Protection – BASF competencies
for sustainable agriculture
Crop protection products are only one factor in this complex business of agriculture, and the farmer needs to work with many partners to achieve optimal results. These are, for example, high quality food, high yields and resource efficiency. We at BASF leverage our expertise as we work closely within BASF with all Verbund units. The BASF water cleaning experts, for example, support us in looking for new solutions for crop protection product waste management. And we produce film solutions for agriculture and farm management together with our plastics experts.
Acting with partners and in alliances
BASF cooperates with many different organisations at international, regional and country levels to combine knowhow and create synergies. Some examples:
Together with research and education institutes, we conduct field trials in the target country's crops. We then test and monitor the development to find best management practices which can be provided to the farmer. Thus, we make sure that the best practice involves minimal use of resources with the largest benefit for the farmer and the environment.
BASF has set up the biodiversity farm network in Europe which intensively engages in cooperation with researchers, NGOs, expert groups and politics to create a valid and meaningful overview about the situation as well as test and develop best management practices. The interaction between wildlife and farming is just one focus.
We regularly cooperate with industry partners directly or via industry associations. In addition to global and local cooperations that target the needs and challenges worldwide and in specific regions, we are an active member of the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA).
As part of ECPA, BASF acts together with global players in the agrochemical business as well as European country and transnational associations. One key objective of this industry alliance is, to listen even more to society, to respond better to the public concerns and to contribute more widely to the development of sustainable farming systems in Europe. ECPA as an industry alliance sees itself as acting moreover in the interest of the entire agricultural production chain. Therefore, ECPA works closely together with other stakeholders in this area – farmer associations, environmental organisations, distributors, regulatory and consulting authorities.
Over the past few years, the agrochemical industry has critically evaluated its performance and contribution. This analysis resulted in the initiative ‘Hungry for Change’ – officially launched in November 2011 – which aims to deliver measurable results in four key areas: safeguarding water, enhancing biodiversity, providing safe and affordable food as well as safeguarding health.
Together with our partners in ECPA, BASF works to ensure that farmers can produce good quality and quantity commodities which are not only profitable for them but at the same time affordable for the consumer and sustainable for the environment.
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