Pioneer Marks a Century of Seed Innovation Over Five Decades of Partnership with Indian Farmers

Hyderabad : Corteva celebrated the global centenary of Pioneer, its flagship seed brand, in Hyderabad. The event brought together employees, farmers, channel partners and customers. It marked 100 years of seed innovation and over 54 years of partnership with Indian agriculture.

The celebration honoured the people who have shaped Pioneer’s journey in India since 1972. It recognised employees whose dedication has driven innovation. It also celebrated channel partners who have expanded the brand’s reach, and farmers whose trust has brought Pioneer to fields across the country. The event reflected on a shared legacy and looked ahead to the future of agriculture.

Founded in 1926 by Henry A. Wallace, Pioneer transformed farming by commercialising hybrid seed corn, setting the foundation for a century of agricultural innovation. Today, Pioneer serves farmers in more than 90 countries, guided by the belief that meaningful progress begins with one farmer, one seed and one season.

In India, Pioneer has spent more than five decades developing hybrid seed solutions tailored to local farming conditions across crops including maize, rice, mustard and millets. The company continues to support Indian farmers through locally relevant research, breeding and agronomic expertise, while India remains an important hub within Corteva’s global innovation network.

Speaking at the occasion, Yogesh Ramkrishna, a maize farmer from Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, said: “Pioneer has been part of my farming journey for the past 20 years, helping me learn and adopt better farming practices. Its focus on improving farmer productivity, combined with timely support and new technologies, has helped increase maize yields in our region from 15 quintals to as much as 50 quintals. I am proud to say that Pioneer has played an important role in helping me and fellow farmers become more prosperous.”

At the event, Robert Kaan, Head of APAC and Strategic Initiatives, said “Pioneer’s centenary is a celebration of trust, innovation and enduring partnerships. In India, this journey has been built with farmers, employees and channel partners. As we look ahead, we remain committed to advancing seed solutions that are local, science-led and farmer-first.”

As Pioneer enters its next century the brand will continue to advance farmer-first innovation and strengthen the partnerships that built Pioneer’s legacy in Indian agriculture.