Sustainable Innovation
Helping farmers harness the power of technology
From drought-resistant seeds to crop protection solutions that work with nature and help sustain it, we are driving the next generation of innovation in agriculture.
Performance
Thanks to our industry-leading R&D program, we continue to uphold our Sustainable Innovation goal, with 100% of the solutions in our pipeline meeting our sustainability criteria.
We continue to apply this standard as solutions advance through our R&D pipeline.
Progress toward our goal
Sustainable crop protection and seed innovations in our pipeline (%). (Baseline: 2021)
Progress (%)
100% in 2025
Outlook
Achieved
and continue to maintain 100% sustainable solutions in our pipeline through 2025.
Our teams periodically review these criteria for practical use in design and discovery. In 2025, we updated our tracking system to streamline sustainability metrics into research and development innovation management.
Learn more / Sustainable Innovation
Our technology pipeline fosters more sustainable farming, creating value for our customers and stakeholders.
Sustainability criteria are embedded into every stage of new technology development.
Our 12 Sustainable Innovation criteria, shown in the outer circle, are aligned to specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), shown in the inner circle, throughout our innovation process.
Not only must each new product help farmers solve challenges in their fields, it also must contribute to the UN SDG themes and have at least one significant sustainable advantage over those in the market today. Additionally, our process requires that there is no decline in performance across any of the criteria thresholds, as compared to market standards.
Corteva Sustainable Innovation criteria and thresholds:
Crop Protection
Novel or underutilized mode of action in target market for resistance management
Seeds
Improves yield measured by genetic gain
Biologicals
BioStimulant
Improve yield/acre measured by on-farm productivity; yield improvement via improved plant performance or stress mitigation compared to midpoint of competitive standard range
BioControl (Microbial)
Differentiated mode of action in target market for resistance management
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Novel or underutilized mode of action in target market for resistance management
Crop Protection
Reduced risk to groundwater relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Biologicals
BioStimulant
Enables more efficient use of fertilizers compared to current farmer best practice
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Reduced risk to groundwater relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Seeds
Improves crop productivity per unit of water, compared to current standard
Biologicals
BioStimulant
Improves crop productivity per unit of water
Crop Protection
Low use rate compound (<100 g/ha or 25% reduction vs midpoint of competitive standard range) and/or reduces the number of applications per season
Biologicals
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Low use rate compound (<100 g/ha or 25% reduction vs midpoint of competitive standard range) and/or reduces the number of applications per season
Crop Protection
Natural or naturally-derived product produced via fermentation
Biologicals
BioStimulant
Natural or naturally-derived product produced via fermentation
BioControl (Microbial)
Natural or naturally-derived product produced via fermentation
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Natural or naturally-derived product produced via fermentation
Seeds
The product enables a reduction in greenhouse gases vs baseline standard production
Crop Protection
Reduced environmental persistence relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Seeds
The product enables improved soil function vs baseline standard production
Biologicals
BioStimulant
The product enables improved soil quality vs baseline standard production
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Reduced environmental persistence relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Crop Protection
Reduced risk to non-target organisms relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Seeds
The product improves or sustains safety on non-target organisms
Biologicals
BioControl (Microbial)
Negligible risk to non-target organisms
BioControl (Metabolites, Extracts, etc)
Reduced risk to non-target organisms relative to midpoint of competitive standard range
Our in-market and pipeline innovations
With our more sustainable technology, farmers can maximize productivity and profitability while helping to minimize their environmental impact.
Enhancing disease resistance through gene editing
We’re developing a game-changing disease-resistant corn that packages multiple disease-resistant native traits into a single location in the genome. This technology aims to protect against the leading corn diseases in North America, which cost farmers over $1.2 billion annually1.
For farmers
Built-in resistance simplifies disease management and strengthens plant health, potentially reducing the need for extra interventions and supporting more consistent performance.
For nature
This approach helps preserve soil health, minimize production stress, and reduce environmental impact by enhancing disease resistance in crops.
- Grey Leaf Spot, Anthracnose leaf blight & stalk rot, Southern Rust, Northern Leaf Blight | Source: CPN Report for US & CA market, years 2017-2023.
Boosting plant health with biologicals
In 2025, we announced Goltrevo™, the first bioinsecticide in our Biologicals portfolio. This best-in-class formulation will target some sap-feeding insects, as well as chewing pests, helping farmers protect crops in a sustainable way.
For farmers
This bioinsecticide helps reduce yield losses by controlling damaging pests, which spread the bacterial pathogen responsible for corn stunt disease. In addition, a longer shelf life and lower potential for the development of resistance offers stability and usability across different farming practices and crops.
For nature
A nature-inspired biological solution, Goltrevo was selected for its high performance, efficacy, and environmental stability. Its versatile fit across different farming practices supports a more sustainable approach to managing insect pressures while maintaining strong, reliable protection for crops.
Winter canola: partnering for a renewable future
In 2025, our partnership with Bunge and Chevron expanded significantly, advancing the “Field to Fuel” program to approximately 110,000 planted acres across the Southern U.S. This growth strengthens renewable fuel production while improving soil health and biodiversity.
For farmers
Through this collaboration, farmers plant our proprietary winter canola hybrids (that produce plant-based oil) in a double crop rotation with soybeans. The program helps farmers increase earnings potential, preserve soil health, and support a more sustainable future.
For nature
Adding winter canola to a rotation provides a cover crop which can enhance soil health by holding more nutrients, water, and carbon in the soil.
Advancing nematode management to protect soil health and yield
In 2025, Reklemel™ active continues to expand globally, helping farmers safeguard crop roots against plant parasitic nematodes, while supporting soil health and more sustainable agricultural practices.
For farmers
This novel sulfonamide nematicide promotes crop yield and quality by protecting roots while limiting impacts to beneficial organisms. Its compatibility with diverse crops and application timing makes it a flexible solution for integrated soil health programs.
For nature
By working in harmony with beneficial insects and supporting soil health management programs, Reklemel active supports healthier ecosystems and contributes to long-term environmental resilience.
