Bayer companions Solynta to distribute true potato seeds in India, Kenya

Bayer and Solynta have reached an settlement to collaborate on the commercialisation and distribution of true potato seeds in Kenyan and Indian markets. This partnership marks the entry of Bayer into the 20-million hectares world potato market. Solynta is a Dutch firm centered on creating sturdy hybrid potato varieties.

The collaboration will centre round Solynta’s professional data of potato breeding with the event of latest sturdy potato varieties that may thrive in key potato-growing geographies. This innovation will enable growers to plant potatoes from true seeds moderately than the standard planting of tubers. Growers will solely want 25 grams of fresh and disease-free true potato seeds per hectare to start out a potato crop, in comparison with the two,500 kgs of perishable seed tubers beforehand required.

Bayer will utilise its sturdy presence and distribution channels within the discipline to commercialise the varieties which might be most fitted for these areas. The brand new hybrid potato varieties shall be distributed within the type of true seeds by Bayer to potato growers in probably the most distant areas of Kenya and India, Bayer mentioned in an announcement.

Regenerative agri technique

India is the second largest marketplace for potato on the earth. With a fast-growing inhabitants and varied local weather zones throughout the nation, there’s a excessive demand for brand spanking new sturdy potato varieties that may stand up to potato illnesses and are simple to move. Through the use of Solynta’s true potato seeds, smallholder farmers in each markets will profit by getting access to prime quality beginning materials to develop their potatoes and feed their communities, the corporate mentioned.

For Bayer, the addition of true potato seeds to its portfolio is according to its regenerative agriculture technique, centered on constructing extra resilient and sustainable meals programs. “We’re excited to enter the collaboration with Solynta and to additional assist smallholder farmers,” mentioned Frank Terhorst, Head of Technique & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science Division “Seed innovation is one in every of our key focus areas. We count on these true potato seeds to have a optimistic influence on native communities and on meals and dietary safety in Kenya and India.”

Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, identified that the true potato seeds are the results of virtually 20 years of labor on hybrid potato breeding expertise at Solynta. This collaboration is a significant step in direction of widespread industrial introduction of true potato seeds, and the institution of latest, sustainable potato cropping programs, he mentioned.