business trade | industry
EXECUTIVE BRIEF
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planting of nurseries, pollinations, processing, data
collection and inventory management.
“In my role, we apply the newest technologies to
ensure we deliver solutions faster in the agricultural
sector and satisfy the growing need for food. We use
technology such as GPS-equipped planters for precision
planting, the use of drones and ear photometry for data
collection and the application of molecular breeding,”
Khoza says.
“I consider myself an innovator because I continuously
try to find the most efficient way possible to complete
every task I perform, and working for a company that
innovates relentlessly, is truly a dream come true. It
values the inputs of all employees, it’s committed to
diversity and inclusion and cares about individual
development, which is probably one of the reasons it
will remain the leading company in the industry.”How does this contribute to the agricultural sector
and the lives of farmers?
“At Corteva, we aim to enrich the lives of those who
produce, and those who consume, ensuring progress
for generations to come. Farmers face challenges such
as climate change, diseases and destructive pests.
The work that we do in the research department
ensures that we produce seeds that can thrive under
unfavourable conditions. We make sure that we
produce high-yielding hybrids to keep feeding the
growing population,” she says.
“The focus is not only on producers. We are committed
to transparency and educating the community about
science and innovation. In addition to my role, I’m a
Community Project Initiative Lead in Africa, where
we aim to make a difference in the community, by
demonstrating the power of science in agriculture.“I see myself growing within Corteva for many years
to come, because I enjoy the culture – especially the
community outreach initiatives – as giving back to the
community forms a significant part of my own personal
values,” Khoza says.Marketing and building relationships
One of the new team members at Pioneer SA, part of the
Corteva family, is Germa Kieser, the marketing category
leader. She is based in Centurion, Gauteng, putting her
degree in Business Communications to good use.
“I joined the team in February 2019. For me, it’s a bit of
an emotional journey, but I believe I have been sent here
to make a difference in people’s lives. Corteva is more
than just another company. You can physically make
a difference in people’s wellbeing every day. Corteva
is about enriching people’s lives. It humbles me to
know that everything I do daily, is to help provide food
security for generations to come,” she says.
Kieser heads up the marketing department of Pioneer
in South Africa – one of the most trusted seed company
brands in the world.
“As the marketing department, it’s critical that we
determine the need for a specific product through
research to ensure we have the right products at
the right time for the right customer. Or to modify
our current product offer to fit their needs. It is also
important that we understand who our customers are
and how to best reach them to make them aware of our
product offering.
“My role is also all about building strong relationships
with our customers. Correct communication, at the
right time and on the customer’s preferred platform, is
key,” says Keiser.
But how does this translate into helping farms and
farmers flourish, and confirming the company as a
trusted partner in agriculture?
“Marketing is one of the most important channels
for one-on-one communications. Our agronomists are
doing exceptional work, in doing research and creating
content to assist farmers. As marketers, we are the
vessel to help the agronomy teams to feed this crucial
information back to farmers. This kind of information
enriches their lives and assists them in producing food
for generations to come.”Text and photography | SuppliedGerma Kieser
makes sure that her
customers receive the
correct information
at the right time.40