Bayer is driving Innovation to combat hunger and advance access to nutrition and Health for all

Company is investing more than $400 million to support access to healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables in the U.S.

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing nutrition and health, Bayer is investing more than $400 million in R&D and other investments in innovation to combat hunger and advance health and nutrition.

This combined investment represents $300-$400 million to support the development of sustainable crops across agriculture – making a difference for people and the planet. This is part of Bayer’s approach of impact investing in a portfolio of companies to find solutions for some of the biggest challenges of our time in the fields of healthcare and agriculture.

This also includes an increased investment of $17 million annually in its own research and development for vegetables in the U.S. that directly supports U.S. farmers and their ability to provide access to healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are a building block of a healthy diet, and Bayer is proud to work with farmers to help all Americans gain access to a variety of nutritious produce.  

Bayer’s mission – Health for all, Hunger for none – drives the company’s research and development investments, focusing efforts on helping solve health, hunger and nutrition challenges. 

“Bayer is in a unique position at the intersection of health and hunger to play a key role in supporting a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle and healthy planet,” said Mike Parrish, Head of Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, U.S.

 

“Through our businesses that span agriculture, consumer health and pharmaceuticals, we bring a range of tools that help growers, consumers and patients take action to meet their individual health and nutrition needs and address some of the big challenges facing our society. We are also always looking for ways to drive breakthrough innovation through investments and partnerships that address these big challenges, including exploring how we develop next generation healthy crops and prevent crop and food loss.”

This investment in Vegetables R&D in the U.S., is earmarked to develop new varieties and tailored solutions for growers to meet the specific needs of the U.S. market. “This investment will ensure U.S. farmers have the latest tools to support growing nutritious fruits and vegetables, adapt to a changing climate, combat diseases that can occur in their crops and meet the unique taste preferences of consumers – all key to getting more fruits and vegetables on plates,” said President of Global Vegetable Seeds Inci Dannenberg.

While increasing investment in R&D is a big focus of the company’s efforts to drive innovation, Bayer also partners with a number of stakeholders across the value chain to increase access to tools that support health and well-being, including nutritious food, access to supplements, and lifesaving medicines for patients.

“Bringing our mission to life takes partners working together to address the many needs of our communities,” Parrish said. “Through partnerships with organizations like Feeding America or Direct Relief, our own programs to bring vitamins and medicine to underserved communities, or our work with our retail customers, we are proud to play a part in ensuring food and nutrition is accessible and affordable for all, and that everyone has an opportunity to protect their health.”