Bayer joins RTRS 2024 International Conference as Platinum Sponsor
RTRS is thrilled to welcome Bayer as a Platinum sponsor for the RTRS 2024 International Conference, “Towards a Regenerative Transition.” The conference will be held on November 19th and 20th at Oude Vismijn (Old Fishmine) in Ghent, Belgium.
By sponsoring the RTRS 2024 International Conference, Bayer reinforces its commitment to advancing sustainability standards through the sharing of knowledge, practices, and experiences in building responsible supply chains.
Rodrigo Santos, CEO of Bayer Crop Science, highlights that “Bayer envisions the future of sustainable agricultural production as a shift towards regenerative agriculture—an outcome-based model focused on empowering farmers to produce more while helping to restore their farmlands and the planet through an integrated system of farming solutions. For this transformation to have a lasting impact, we need to accelerate and scale regenerative agriculture, and we believe in the power of collaboration to drive this huge effort. This is how our partnership with RTRS aligns with our vision by supporting productive dialogue and industry-wide partnerships to take action. ”
Natasha Santos, Head of Sustainability & Strategic Engagement at Bayer Crop Science , adds, “Our initiatives, including partnerships and programs like with Perdue Agribusiness in the US, the European Carbon Initiative with Trinity Agtech, Pro Carbono Program in South America with EMBRAPA and other partners, and the DirectAcres Initiative in Asia, reflect Bayer’s dedication to sustainability and regenerative practices in the soy sector.”
Gerhard Adam, Sustainability Integration at Bayer Crop Science, emphasizes that “The RTRS International Conference is crucial for advancing regenerative agriculture and addressing industry challenges. Bayer aims to raise awareness and share innovations and best practices, helping stakeholders implement more sustainable practices that benefit the environment, farmers, and society.”
Frank Terhorst, Vice President Strategy at Bayer Crop Science, states, “Bayer aims to support farmers in advancing regenerative agriculture through innovative solutions in seeds, crop protection, and digital tools. For us and our customers, it’s about increasing productivity while delivering environmental benefits such as soil health and climate resilience at the same time. The Pro Carbono Initiative, a partnership we have with EMBRAPA and various other partners, seeks to drive regenerative practices in the food, feed, and broader ag value chain. Bayer’s sponsorship of the RTRS conference showcases our commitment to regenerative farming, supporting growers and value chain initiatives for responsible soy cultivation and environmental stewardship.”
Bayer has been an RTRS member since 2009 and has served on its Board of Directors since 2019. Additionally, Bayer has been a key supporter of RTRS International Conferences, sponsoring four editions, including being the Host Sponsor in 2022 at their Crop Science Campus in Germany. This ongoing partnership underscores Bayer’s long-standing commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture.
Bayer’s broader commitment to sustainable practices with RTRS
In 2018, RTRS and Bayer’s Crop Science Division renewed their 2015 cooperation to assist soy producers in certifying their crops according to RTRS standards. This non-exclusive agreement was further enhanced by Bayer’s Valore program in Latin America, which provided diagnostics, action plans, training, and pre-audit visits specifically aligned with RTRS certification goals. Through this program, Bayer actively supported producers and initiated the RTRS certification process with leading cooperatives in Brazil.
In 2019, Bayer led the “Certification Training for Red Dorados” initiative, reaching over 80 Argentine producers across Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, and Tucumán, representing more than 350,000 hectares. This initiative, part of Bayer’s commitment to sustainability, aimed to encourage soy producers and distributors to certify their production according to RTRS Responsible Soy standards and AAPRESID’s Certified Sustainable Agriculture (ASC). During these meetings, representatives from Bayer, RTRS, and AAPRESID highlighted the importance of adopting sustainability protocols, urging producers to implement holistic practices for certified social and environmental responsibility in soy production.
Join us in Belgium! Register here
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal year2023, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 47.6 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.8 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
