January/February 2021 - 21

PLANT BREEDING TECHNOLOGY
Iprenburg said the reaction from U.S.
growers was positive.
" We had hoped to invite many
visitors on-site for the opening but we
had to be proactive and creative with
a virtual event, " he said.
That
sor t of creat ive digital
engagement will be ongoing at
Tomato Vision. During the virtual tour,
Kaagman highlighted the group's ability
to virtually take customers into the
greenhouse through a virtual reality
technology. The breeder in the Tomato
Greenhouse wears a headset that relays
video and information to the customer's
remote location.
" Many of our North American
 Syngenta employees welcome virtual visitors during an online tour of its new facility.
" The genet ics for our Act ive
Greenhouse portfolio are bred in the
Netherlands, " Iprenburg said. " The
climatic conditions and environment
are comparable to those in the northern
USA States and along the Canadian
border, where a large part of the USA
greenhouse cultivation is concentrated.
Our Dutch breeding program produces
experimental hybrids which are
evaluated with local growers for their
suitability in the various markets and
environments. As such we don't have
such specific breeding greenhouses in
the U.S. or Canada. Syngenta's breeding
operations in Mexico serve the local
greenhouse acreage there as well as
the growing conditions in southern USA
states. In addition, we do have extensive
research and development facilities in
the USA for many other crops. "
A digital experience - for now
Tomato Vision was designed to be
a sort of a tomato growers' Mecca,
for Syngenta to meet directly with
their customers and explain the tomato
varieties in their portfolio, which are
the result of 20 breeding programs
around the world.
A colorful tomato mural adorns the
entryway, and a room off the entryway
is set up for events or displays, where
customers can try out some of the new
varieties. Within the larger greenhouse,
PRODUCE PROCESS ING
21
a 16,000-square-foot section is open to
visitors, offering them a unique first
insight into upcoming introductions,
along with a deeper understanding of
the entire active greenhouse portfolio
from Syngenta.
And although COVID-19 dampened
travel plans throughout the industry,
Syngenta has been creat ive in
engaging clients digitally. Ruud
Kaagman, global tomato crop unit head
at Syngenta, in late May led a webcast
tour of the spaces, interviewing
colleagues and demonstrating how
the facility worked.
" By creating this connection between
our breeders and the market, we are
able to deliver fine-tuned varieties, "
he said.
customers, often together with their
retail customers, would visit the
Syngenta variety demonstrations
several times per year, " Iprenburg
said. " In the " new normal " we will be
offering these visits online to groups
and individuals. "
Those interact ions wil l al low
international collaboration and
cooperation in the industry to continue
during COVID-19.
" There are close connections between
our markets and the European continent
with regular exchanges on technology,
genetics, product development and of
course exports of fresh produce. Our
European colleagues are very involved
and supportive of the developments in
the USA and Canada. "
There are many more breeding
programs in Syngenta's worldwide
portfolio that address various types
of tomato crops, including open-field
tomatoes.

January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2021