Syngenta has announced EXORT™ technology, a new biological platform designed to help crops improve productivity by using their own natural biological mechanisms. The technology uses naturally occurring microRNAs to influence plant processes associated with growth, development and crop quality, offering a potential new tool for farmers seeking to increase yields while using agricultural resources more efficiently.
The announcement comes as African agriculture faces mounting pressure to improve productivity, strengthen food security and adapt to changing climatic conditions. For farmers and agricultural businesses across the continent, innovations that can complement existing crop management practices are attracting increasing interest.
Syngenta plans to introduce the first products based on EXORT technology from 2027, followed by a phased rollout across approximately 20 countries. The company has not yet confirmed which African markets will be included in the initial commercial rollout.
How EXORT MicroRNA Technology Works
MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules that help regulate gene expression in plants. Rather than changing a plant’s DNA, they influence how genetic instructions are used to produce proteins, helping control biological processes involved in growth and development.
Syngenta’s EXORT platform is designed to identify and deliver selected, naturally occurring plant microRNAs through foliar application, meaning the product is sprayed onto crop leaves. These molecules are intended to influence the plant’s natural regulatory pathways and help it use its internal resources more effectively.
According to Syngenta, the technology has the potential to support the development of larger grains and improve the commercial quality of fruits and vegetables. Unlike genetic modification, the approach is designed to influence gene activity without altering the crop’s underlying DNA sequence.
The development draws on advances in genomics, bioinformatics and plant science, which have improved researchers’ ability to identify microRNAs associated with specific biological functions.
Field Trials Across Multiple Crops
Syngenta reports that its multi-year field evaluation programme has recorded consistent yield improvements across several crop groups, including rice, soybean, maize, cotton, fruits and vegetables.
The company says EXORT-based products are designed for application at very low doses and to fit into existing farming routines. This could make the technology easier to integrate into established crop management programmes without requiring specialised application equipment.
However, detailed trial data and crop-by-crop yield percentages have not been provided in the available announcement. Independent field results will be important in assessing how the technology performs under different soil conditions, rainfall patterns, temperatures and farming systems.
For African farmers, performance under local growing conditions will be particularly important, given the diversity of agricultural environments across the continent.
Potential Relevance to African Agriculture
Across Africa, improving crop productivity remains a priority for commercial farmers, smallholder producers, agricultural cooperatives and food processors. Soil fertility challenges, variable rainfall, high input costs and climate-related production risks can all affect farm profitability and food availability.
If EXORT-based products demonstrate consistent performance in African field conditions, the technology could offer an additional option for farmers seeking to improve crop yields and quality.
Potential areas of interest include:
- Maize production: Improving productivity in one of the continent’s most important staple crops.
- Rice farming: Supporting production efficiency in major rice-growing regions.
- Horticulture: Improving the market quality of fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption, processing and export.
- Cotton production: Exploring biological inputs that could complement existing crop management programmes.
- Resource efficiency: Assessing whether improved crop performance can help farmers achieve better returns from their existing land and inputs.
These are potential applications rather than confirmed African product uses. Actual benefits will depend on the formulations released, crop-specific performance, local registration requirements and economic returns for farmers.
A Potential Addition to Sustainable Crop Management
EXORT represents an emerging approach to biological crop inputs, using natural plant signalling mechanisms rather than relying solely on conventional chemical or microbial approaches.
For African agricultural businesses, the technology will need to be evaluated alongside established practices such as soil fertility management, appropriate fertiliser use, improved seed varieties, irrigation where available, integrated pest management and climate-smart farming techniques.
Biological technologies should complement these fundamentals rather than be treated as substitutes for sound agronomic management.
The commercial case will also depend on product pricing, availability, storage and distribution requirements, and whether any yield or quality improvements justify the additional cost of application.
Commercial Rollout Planned from 2027
Syngenta expects the first products based on EXORT technology to enter the market from 2027, with a phased introduction planned across approximately 20 countries.
The technology could mark a further development in agricultural biologicals, particularly if future trials demonstrate reliable performance across different crops and production environments.
For Africa, the key question will be whether EXORT-based products become available in local markets and deliver measurable benefits under the continent’s varied farming conditions.
As agricultural biotechnology continues to develop, technologies that combine scientific innovation with practical, affordable and locally validated solutions could play a role in strengthening Africa’s agricultural productivity and food security.
