Syngenta and Gavilon bring advanced seed technology and grain marketing confidence to corn farmers for 2014

MINNETONKA, Minn., Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Syngenta announced today an agreement with Gavilon Grain, LLC that provides grain marketing opportunities for farmers who choose to plant Agrisure Duracade, the cutting-edge corn rootworm (CRW) control technology that has been approved in the U.S.

For farmers participating in the innovative "Right to Grow" program, Gavilon will accept Agrisure Duracade grain at market price while providing stewardship and distribution services for producers.

"Our unique program will help farmers remain competitive while navigating a more complex global supply chain," said David Morgan, President, Syngenta Seeds, Inc. "The 'Right to Grow' program is a collaborative effort, giving farmers the choice to adopt new technology with the confidence of knowing they have options for marketing their grain."

"In supporting farmers who choose to grow Agrisure Duracade, we will demonstrate the supply chain's capability to expand beyond the basic commodity model in grain marketing, which is the future of market access for U.S. grains," said Jim Anderson, Gavilon chief operating officer.

"We are pleased to see Syngenta's efforts to administer a limited trait release of Agrisure Duracade that seeks to balance the importance of maintaining farmers' access to technology while maintaining markets for U.S. corn," said Martin Barbre, President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). "NCGA consistently strives to optimize opportunities for U.S. corn growers and values efforts from parties across the value chain to support achievement of our goals."

NCGA will provide information regarding the status of import approvals with key importing markets and reference stewardship plans in place through its Know Before You Grow website as they become available.

"As it is in the best interest of corn farmers and the value chain as a whole, NCGA strongly encourages all farmers to consult with their seed providers and their first purchasers when making planting decisions," added Barbre.

Agrisure Duracade is Syngenta's next-generation CRW trait, offering unmatched corn insect control in two trait stack options for above- and below-ground insect control. Agrisure Duracade technology features the industry's first hybrid Bt protein and is the first trait technology to be launched with trait preservation in mind.

For more information about Agrisure Duracade and the "Right to Grow" program from Syngenta and Gavilon, visit www.agrisureduracade.com.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.

About Gavilon Grain, LLC
Gavilon Grain, LLC is a subsidiary of The Gavilon Group, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation. Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., The Gavilon Group, LLC connects producers and consumers of feed, food and fuel, linking agricultural supply with demand through its global supply chain network. The company provides origination, storage and handling, transportation and logistics, marketing and distribution, and risk management services to customers and suppliers across the globe. Gavilon employs 1,800 people in more than 300 facilities and offices worldwide. For more information, please visit www.gavilon.com.

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This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties including the "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof. Agrisure Duracade™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

SOURCE Syngenta