Key Takeaways
- Certis Belchim and Elicit Plant have entered a strategic partnership to co-develop a potato-specific bio-solution.
- The collaboration focuses on enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stresses, specifically drought and water scarcity caused by climate change.
- The solution utilizes Elicit Plant’s EliTerra® Platform and proprietary phytosterol technology to improve resilience and yield.
- Certis Belchim will leverage its market leadership in Europe to integrate these innovations into existing spraying programs for farmers.
Certis & Elicit Plant Strategic Partnership for European Potato Resilience
Certis Belchim, a leader in biological crop protection, and agri-biotech firm Elicit Plant have announced a joint agreement to develop innovative solutions for the European potato market. This partnership is designed to address the increasing agronomic challenges posed by climate change, with a specific focus on drought-related stress. By combining Elicit Plant’s research and development capabilities with the extensive distribution and potato-sector expertise of Certis Belchim, the companies aim to safeguard farmer profitability and crop quality across the continent.
Technological Innovation Through Elicit Plant's EliTerra® Platform
The first phase of the partnership has already reached a significant milestone through Elicit Plant’s EliTerra® Platform. This platform has produced several product candidates based on disruptive phytosterol technology. These bioactive compounds are engineered to enhance the natural productivity of potato crops even when subjected to environmental stress. Certis Belchim and Elicit Plant are now moving into an expanded field-trial phase to refine these formulations across various soil types and climatic conditions throughout Europe.
Integration into Sustainable Farming Practices
A primary goal for Certis Belchim is to ensure that new bio-solutions are practical for large-scale agricultural use. The co-development agreement focuses on creating a formulation and application method that fits seamlessly into a grower’s usual spraying program. This approach is intended to accelerate market adoption by balancing environmental sustainability with economic viability, allowing potato growers to transition toward more resilient production systems without increasing operational complexity.
Leadership Commitment to Innovation
The CEOs of both organizations emphasized the importance of crop-specific innovation in modern agriculture. Mark Waltham, CEO of Certis Belchim, highlighted how this alliance strengthens their existing “seed-to-store” portfolio.
“Innovation will play a critical role in helping potato growers address the agronomic challenges posed by climate change and in driving more sustainable potato production,” said Waltham. “The co-development of a biostimulant specifically designed for potatoes underscores our determination to deliver cutting-edge innovation for this key crop.”
Jean-François Déchant, CEO of Elicit Plant, noted that working with Certis Belchim is central to their strategy of expanding into new crop segments.
“Partnering with Certis Belchim, a leader in the European potato market, reflects our new approach to expanding our product portfolio by co-developing innovative solutions for new crops with leading crop experts,” said Déchant.
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