EL EJIDO, ALEMERÍA, SPAIN - Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is making crucial investments in its international expansion, and Spain is where the company has recently turned its attention. The seed provider announced the opening of a modernized R&D facility in El Ejido that will play a critical role in helping Syngenta bring its offerings to growers in the European country and beyond.

“Every investment we make is focused on one key principle—how can we better serve growers,” said Matthew Johnston, Global Head of Vegetable Seeds and Flowers at Syngenta. “This expanded and modernized facility in El Ejido highlights the importance of Spain in the global agricultural landscape while underscoring our commitment to accelerating our innovation to help growers who are dealing with volatile climates and challenging environments to grow produce and feed the world.”

Syngenta’s El Ejido operation was first established in 1983 and is now home to 145 employees working across R&D, production, commercial, and corporate functions, a release stated. This company’s most recent investment of $3 million covers a series of enhancements to the site that centralizes seed activities in Europe, enabling Syngenta to better respond to the needs of growers.

Investments at the site include upgraded greenhouses to enable year-round breeding activities, redesigned pathology and quality labs, a seed processing area, and deployment of digital tools. It also includes new office spaces and a new canteen for employees.

Key vegetable crops bred at the facility include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and melon.

In addition to El Ejido, Syngenta has invested in expanding breeding operations across other regions of Spain. This includes a new trialing location in La Puebla, Murcia, with a dedicated focus on leafy and brassica crops.

“Our investment in Spain is a great example of how our global R&D footprint is intentionally shaped around localized breeding programs, giving us the ability to respond faster to the needs of growers in every region,” said Uri Krieger, Global Head of R&D for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Flowers. “Our ability to innovate faster is made possible through enabling technologies in the field and in the lab. Capturing data at every step of the R&D process allows us to be precise and effective in our decision processes.”

Where will Syngenta focus its attention next? Find out by reading AndNowUKnow.