Agribusinesses are reaching more and more into the innovation realm to help farmers stay at the top of production and meet the needs of a growing world population. Some have even characterized the process as an “evolution of innovation.”
“The ag companies, and in particular, Bayer, have been very good at innovation in the past, and we’re very good at product development,” Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for Bayer CropScience, told Chuck during an interview at the company’s 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix. “But the breadth and scope of innovation taking place today is beyond some of our core competencies. And we need to be know what’s going on out there, invest in them and have access to them in due course.”
Part of that process includes the indirect venture capital investments Bayer is making in the future of food production. Jeff said there are gaps in what Bayer knows that could be filled by some of these innovations, as well as some innovations adding to what the company knows. And Bayer is leaving no stone, including those in the digital realm, unturned, to make sure safe and affordable food is available.
“We don’t know everything that’s going on in agricultural innovation right now. We want to have a better understanding of that, because it will influence what we do in the future.”
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jeff here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/bayer/aif-15-kneen.mp3″ text=”Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for, Bayer CropScience”]