Corteva Agriscience pushes to turn grain research into on-farm results
The company says strong links between science and farmers will shape future maize yields.
SOUTH AFRICA – Corteva Agriscience is stepping up efforts to ensure grain research delivers clear and practical results for farmers, with a focus on improving yields, strengthening crop resilience and supporting long term productivity in the field.
Driaan Bresler, AME Seed Product Development Lead at Corteva Agriscience, said the company focuses on turning research into practical tools that farmers can use. “Central to this commitment is ensuring that advanced research does not remain theoretical but is translated into practical solutions that deliver measurable value to farmers,” he said.
Bresler pointed to South Africa’s maize sector as proof that steady investment in breeding and research can improve output. Over the years, breeders, farmers and researchers have worked together to raise yields. Early hybrid work helped improve stability, while later advances in breeding methods increased genetic gain.
The use of biotechnology and molecular markers in the 1990s marked a key shift. These tools helped scientists understand crops at a deeper level and make better selection choices. Global germplasm also supported local programmes by bringing in traits suited to different conditions.
Bresler warned that grain production now faces more pressure. Climate shifts, pests and disease, and sustainability demands all affect how farmers operate. He said breeders must respond with more precise and coordinated approaches.
“Modern hybrid breeding operates within an immense universe of possible genetic combinations. Testing every combination in the field is not feasible,” he said. “The challenge is deciding which combinations to prioritise and advance.”
He explained that genome tools, environmental models and predictive data now help breeders test performance across different conditions before field trials. “Technology speeds up our selection process, but the field remains our ultimate reference point,” he added.
Bresler said gene editing offers a faster way to combine useful traits such as disease resistance. Instead of long crossing cycles, breeders can group traits more efficiently. “We can reposition native maize genes into a single genetic location,” he said. “This allows breeders to track multiple resistance traits together.”
He stressed that success will depend on how well the sector works together. Breeding must align with regulations, market needs and farm realities. Partnerships between companies, public bodies and farmers will help ensure research leads to real change.
“The decisive factor will be how effectively the industry works together,” Bresler said. “With the right integration of science, technology and collaboration, productivity can continue to improve.”
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