Syngenta Partners with Israeli Groundwork BioAg to Market Carbon-Sequestering Crop Technology
Syngenta and Israeli company Groundwork BioAg have announced a strategic partnership to market Groundwork's biological agricultural technology. Syngenta will commercialize Groundwork's products, which enhance crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and increasing plant resilience to stress. These products also improve soil health and enable long-term carbon sequestration, generating carbon credits as an additional income source for farmers.
Although the companies did not disclose the deal's exact value, estimates suggest it could reach between $30 million and $50 million over the coming years. Groundwork BioAg has raised approximately $40 million in venture capital from leading climate and agriculture investors and employs 70 people across offices in Israel, the US, Brazil, Canada, India, and China.
Under the partnership, Syngenta will market Groundwork's solutions under its private label, initially targeting corn, soy, grain, and sunflower crops in Latin America and Europe. Groundwork will handle product manufacturing, supply, digital tools, and the full development of the carbon program. Farmers will benefit from improved nutrient uptake, higher and more resilient yields, and new revenue streams from carbon credits.
Syngenta's Chief Sustainability Officer, Petra Löw, described the model as "beyond carbon farming," emphasizing its ability to enhance crop stress resistance, restore soil health, and build exceptional long-term carbon stores that directly benefit farmers. Groundwork CEO Alon Verber highlighted the commercial validation the partnership provides and its potential to generate significant income for farmers and Groundwork, leveraging Syngenta's market share and Groundwork's proven mycorrhizal technology.
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, improving nutrient and water absorption and supporting long-term soil health. They accelerate the formation of mineral-associated organic matter, enabling durable carbon sequestration in soil. Soils with higher carbon sequestration tend to be more fertile, retain water better, and resist drought and erosion, benefiting farmers and the environment alike.
