The Crop Science innovation ecosystem comprises many elements, including research and development organisations (global companies, SMEs, start-ups, universities, institutes, etc.) entrepreneurs, intellectual property, funding, publications, awards, etc. Innovation is the creation of value from knowledge.

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Five major sectors form the framework of this report: Chemistry (new active ingredients); Biologicals (biopesticides, biostimulants, etc.); Formulation (new mixtures, adjuvants, formulation science, etc.); Seeds (plant science, trait discovery, biotechnology, plant breeding); Digital farming and robotics (diagnostics, analysis, precision application, digital farm management systems and robotics, including drones and ground robots).

Major players in Crop Science are those companies that have powered the evolution of the industry. They are engaged in extensive R&D across most or all of the five sectors, and are driving innovations and implementing them in global farming: BASF, Bayer CropScience, Corteva, FMC, Syngenta.

Start-ups spun out of universities and other small companies are crucial players driving innovation in the Crop Science ecosystem. Those profiled have been noted as collaborating with the Crop Science Majors; are listed under agriculture or Agri-Tech on Crunchbase Pro; or have otherwise made an impact.

Overviews are given of the PCT patents published by each of the Crop Science Majors during 2020 as a snapshot of their internal R&D programmes. Their external deals and relations relevant to new science and technology since 2017 are also reviewed.

Winners of the various categories of IHS Markit Crop Science Awards from the last three years and their achievements are listed.

This article was published by S&P Global Commodity Insights and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.