In a move set to reshape the agricultural technology landscape, Syngenta has announced the global launch of the CROPWISE™ Open Platform, inviting third-party developers to integrate advanced agronomic models into new tools and applications. This initiative builds upon the success of Cropwise, a digital farm management platform that has, in just five years, transformed operations for farmers across over 70 million hectares in more than 30 countries.
The Cropwise Open Platform is designed to accelerate the digital transformation of agriculture by removing a significant barrier to innovation: access. By opening its trusted digital foundation to the global developer community, Syngenta aims to empower innovators to create solutions that help farmers benefit from smarter, connected agricultural technologies. This move comes at a critical time, as new research from IPSOS, conducted in partnership with Syngenta, highlights the widening digital divide in farming. The study reveals that larger farms are rapidly adopting AI and digital tools, while smaller farmers risk being left behind. Additionally, it found that younger farmers are embracing technology, whereas many older farmers view AI as complex or inaccessible, often unaware that they are already using it through tools like drones or imagery systems.
Trust, data control, and proof of local results emerged as the most powerful drivers of adoption in the IPSOS study. Addressing these findings, Feroz Sheikh, Syngenta’s Chief Information and Digital Officer, emphasized the urgency of technology adoption in agriculture. “The agriculture sector stands at a tipping point. Climate pressures, global market volatility, and the urgent need to promote sustainable farming practices mean that technology adoption can no longer be optional,” Sheikh said. The Cropwise Open Platform represents a significant step forward in bridging the inequity within agricultural technology adoption. By creating an open ecosystem that combines deep agricultural expertise with cutting-edge digital capabilities, Syngenta is empowering third-party developers to build solutions on top of Cropwise. Farmers can choose the apps that best support their needs without sacrificing control over their data.
Through its robust integration capabilities and access to Syngenta’s digital agriculture services, the Cropwise Open Platform enables everyone in the ecosystem to develop data-driven applications that tackle real-world farming challenges. Farmers remain in control of their data while tapping into an ecosystem of innovations and integrations built around the Cropwise platform. For the developer community, the Open Platform offers an opportunity to leverage Syngenta’s AI and machine learning capabilities and aggregated agronomic insights to offer their solutions at an unprecedented scale.
Sheikh added, “AI can be the great equalizer in agriculture — but only if it’s accessible, affordable, and trusted. By opening Cropwise developer capabilities, we hope to create a network with farmers at the center, and ensure that digital innovation benefits every farmer, not just those with the biggest fields or budgets.” Syngenta remains committed to data protection, ensuring that individual grower data is not accessed without the consent of the owner, in accordance with applicable law.
Launched in 2020, CROPWISE™ is Syngenta’s flagship digital platform that has revolutionized farm management by offering integrated solutions and data-driven tools across the agricultural value chain. The platform features powerful solutions including Cropwise Operations, Seed Selector, and Spray Assist. These tools harness AI and comprehensive agronomic data to deliver tailored recommendations for pest management, crop monitoring, and product selection. Through connected data and flexible, customized tools, Cropwise helps agricultural professionals streamline operations, enhance decision-making, improve yields, and implement sustainable farming practices.
Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation with a presence in more than 90 countries, is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers. The company is dedicated to making the transformation required to feed the world’s population while preserving the planet. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta is developing new technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in the digital transformation of agriculture, offering a pathway to bridge the digital divide and ensure that technological advancements benefit all farmers, regardless of scale or resources. As the agricultural sector faces increasing pressures from climate change and market volatility, the Cropwise Open Platform provides a crucial tool to foster innovation and sustainability in farming practices.