For Dow AgroSciences And Now Corteva, Indiana is Home
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAlmost 30 years ago, an enterprising group of women and men right here in Indianapolis launched what would become one of the most innovative ventures in the world of agriculture – Dow AgroSciences.
They created more than just an economically viable business. They built a life sciences enterprise that would have a major, positive impact on farmers, families and communities across Indiana, the nation and the world.
Now we are joining forces with other leaders in agriculture innovation, DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection, to create Corteva Agriscience, a global company whose roots will remain very deep here in Indiana with our Indianapolis Global Business Center. While building the strongest foundation possible for this new enterprise has required some short-term changes, over the long-term, we will continue to have strong levels of employment here.
It is important to know that what does not change is the vision and legacy of those first scientists, researchers, project managers and administrators. Their vision lives on in the form of thousands of high-paying jobs for the people of Central Indiana, and a vibrant economic and social imprint.
Indeed, the founders of the joint venture that created Dow AgroSciences in 1989 made a deep and unbending commitment to this great state and its extraordinary people. A commitment to jobs, prosperity, economic development, education and community wellbeing that has flourished over the past three decades.
Today, I am proud to say that Corteva Agriscience, our new brand that represents our previous entities, remains just as committed and steadfast in our belief in this community and its people, businesses and institutions.
Please allow me to be very clear: We‘re not going anywhere. Dow AgroSciences and our 1,500 people in Central Indiana will continue to call Indiana home, and in fact our numbers here will undoubtedly only increase in the years to come.
Without question, our Global Business Center located in the northwest corner of Marion County is one of the most critical enablers to our future growth – an innovation hub that brings forth unprecedented capabilities in advanced biotechnology and crop protection systems that are improving the lives of farmers, communities and consumers around the world.
My own commitment to the city of Indianapolis began 19 years ago when my family and I moved here from India. While my passion for advancing agriculture is what brought me here, what I found is the people of Indiana welcomed my family and me in ways I would have never expected. That "Hoosier Hospitality" drives us to continue to find new ways to keep Indiana growing and welcoming the many who can help us drive innovation and meet a grand challenge.
That challenge is feeding a growing world which requires significant advancements in crop protection and biotechnology solutions to protect our food sources, enhance their growth potential, and improve their nutritional value. With two billion people being added to the planet over the next 30 years, we’re going to see unprecedented food demand as wealth grows, consumer expectations change, and natural resources become scarcer.
No industry plays a bigger role in improving our food system and environment than agriculture, and we are positioned to be a leader. Our Indianapolis Global Business Center is delivering a robust pipeline of new crop protection systems that enhance the productivity of important food sources and biotech solutions that help conserve water, reduce waste and improve yields for farmers here in the U.S. and all around the world.
None of this could have been accomplished without the skill and commitment of the women and men of Dow AgroSciences based in Indianapolis. And we’re just getting started. As Corteva Agriscience there is so much more to come here in the Hoosier state. It’s been said that, as the crossroads of America, all roads do indeed come through Indiana. We could not agree more, and that’s why the people of this great state should continue to expect our ongoing support and investment.
We’re proud to continue to be your friends, neighbors and supporters – today, tomorrow and for years to come.
Rajan Gajaria is the Indianapolis-based Vice President of Crop Protection for Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont.