Basel, Switzerland: Hengde Qin, Chief Executive Officer at Syngenta, marked World Food Day by highlighting the importance of food security and sustainable farming.

Born and raised in China, Qin succeeded Jeff Rowe as Syngenta’s CEO on August 1, having served on the Syngenta Group’s executive team since 2020.

To commemorate World Food Day on October 16, Qin posted the following message on LinkedIn:

“Agriculture is one of the few industries that touches every person, every day. Every seed planted is an investment in tomorrow. Every growing season is a reminder of what is possible when innovation and the dedication of farmers come together.

“That’s why this year’s World Food Day theme – Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow – resonates so strongly with me.

“Innovation is not about technology for its own sake. It is about finding practical solutions that make a real difference on the farm. And today, we are seeing great advances across agriculture that are helping farmers produce more, adapt to changing conditions and farm more sustainably than ever before.

“For me, the importance of this work is also personal.

“Growing up in a rural farming community in China, I learned early that a good harvest can change lives, and that access to food should never be taken for granted. Those experiences continue to shape my conviction that agricultural innovation matters.

“I have seen the difference it can make. It has the power to improve lives, create new opportunities and help nourish a brighter future for the next generation. That is why I remain optimistic about what we can achieve when science, technology and the determination of farmers come together.

“At Syngenta, our purpose is ‘breakthroughs for farmers, in every field’. We believe innovation can help farmers achieve higher yields with lower impact. It can strengthen resilience and produce more from existing farmland while protecting the natural resources that make farming possible.

“That matters because food security is one of the defining challenges of our time.

“As I meet farmers around the world, I hear a common message: the need for practical solutions that help them succeed in an increasingly uncertain environment. Meeting that challenge will require collaboration across the food system, from farmers and industry to governments and policymakers.

“So, on this World Food Day, let’s celebrate the power of innovation and the dedication of farmers everywhere. Ultimately, it is about keeping the promise behind every seed planted: to create a better future for the next generation.”

*Syngenta is a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.