"Syngenta launches a unique online course for agronomists: Crop Management School."

Unique Educational Project

In November 2023, Syngenta implemented an innovative educational program for agronomists of horticultural farms called Crop Management School, which utilizes a combined approach including theoretical online learning and practical field sessions.

Truly comprehensive professional development programs in the area of orchard protection are currently not available on the market, so we can proudly say that Syngenta has taken a leading position in this direction! Furthermore, this school provides ample opportunities for specialists working in horticulture.

Anna Gorobets, Sales Director of the Southern region at Syngenta

The Syngenta Crop Management School is a rich source of material that can be directly applied in the work of horticulturists. The course was developed by scientists and experts who selected the best scientific research relevant for practical use. We understand the importance of this knowledge now more than ever. Today, we will acquire this knowledge to convert it into profit in the future.

Study Theory Online

The theoretical course is available on the Syngenta online platform and consists of 22 video lectures with interactive presentations, as well as quizzes, final testing, and a concluding webinar with graduates. The lectures can be watched at a convenient time whenever there is a free moment.

Tatiana Kasyanova, Plant Protection Agronomist at Almа Production LLC

Online learning format is very convenient: you can choose a suitable time to study the materials, pause the video, and most importantly, have access to the information for a specified period. You can rewind and review the material at any time.

The course methodology was developed by technical expert in fruit crop protection Maxim Korostiev, who has 15 years of experience as a plant protection agronomist in fruit farming and is well acquainted with all aspects of this profession. He designed a learning structure that maximally reflects the needs of agronomists.

The course lecturers are leading industry experts:

• Galina Valentinovna Yakuba, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Fruit and Berry Crop Protection Laboratory of the Federal Research Centre of Fruit Growing, Viticulture and Vitro Culture;
• Irina Zueva, PhD in Agricultural Sciences, Technical Expert at Syngenta with 17 years of production experience;
• Anatoly Misan, Quality Manager of Syngenta's Plant Protection Products Application;
• Nikita Kodachenko, Technical Expert in Biological Products at Syngenta.

The course extensively covers topics such as apple pests and diseases, optimal protection system including IRAC and FRAC recommendations, nutrients and abiotic stress, plant protection product application, and sprayer calibration. Instead of advertising, the lectures offer only the most useful information!

It is not just theory but valuable adapted information that can be immediately put into practice. That's why participants who have already completed the course have left many positive reviews.

Vasily Reshetov, Agronomist at Cruiser Service LLC

This was my first online course, and I really enjoyed it. All materials were well presented, and I learned a lot of new things. Since I work in a garden, lectures on sprayer calibration and plant protection product application were especially useful for me. It's nice that Syngenta cares about us, agronomists, and strives to make us better so that we can acquire new skills and knowledge.

Practice Confirms Theory

In the summer of 2024, Syngenta organized a practical platform of the Crop Management School at partner farms – innovative farms "Zorinsky Orchard" in the Kursk region and "Alma Production" in the Krasnodar region. The program was intensive and included:

• Visiting a field laboratory where participants learned to identify rots that can damage fruits during storage;
• Master classes on monitoring the development of ascospore infections and identifying harmful insects;
• Formulation of a garden protection strategy based on the conducted monitoring;
• Participation in an economic section with live discussions;
• Experience sharing on increasing production efficiency and discussing the role of an agronomist in profitability creation.

Industry leaders shared valuable advice. For example, Dmitry Bobkov, CEO of Alma Production LLC, explained what profitability and profit consist of and how to optimize production costs, including developing an effective orchard protection:

Cost reduction is not always the best solution. We believe that it's better to think about how to increase the efficiency of these costs and perhaps spend more money to ultimately earn even more. That's why we strive to use only high-quality products for treatment and collaborate with reliable companies that work closely with scientific research. Our goal is to produce high-quality apples, representing at least 80% of the total yield, and focus on achieving 80% marketable apples from the overall yield.

Direct interaction with experts, the opportunity to get answers to one's questions, practical communication – this is what a full-fledged practical platform looks like, where young specialists can practice and improve their theoretical and practical skills, and experienced agronomists can recall and expand their existing knowledge.

Victor Shpak, SSA Fruits, Kazakhstan

Unlike regular seminars, here special attention is paid to practice. Any agronomist, even a beginner, can work with a microscope and see how the process of detecting pests and diseases is carried out. It's interesting and engaging.

Saleh Kardashov, Deputy Production Director at Gardens of Karachaevo-Cherkessia LLC

I was particularly impressed by the interaction with scientist Galina Valentinovna Yakuba and the analysis of mildew under a microscope.

Tatyana Korolkova, Executive Director of Fruits LLC, Yeisk District

We analyzed mildew ourselves, and it was very interesting. We studied the conditions of fungal bodies and the temperature parameters of ascospores. Then it was easy to determine when and with which product to treat and in which phase of development. Now we can work in the garden using new tools and acquired knowledge, which is a great help for an agronomist.

Sergey Petrakovich, Chief Agronomist at Belgorod Apples LLC

As an experienced agronomist, I found it interesting to remember and discuss issues related to mildew and insect control. Additionally, involving young agronomists, who also participated, was beneficial for developing