Key Takeaways:
- Bayer and Solynta announce a collaboration to commercialize true potato seeds in Kenya and India.
- This partnership marks Bayer’s entry into the global potato market, particularly in Kenya and India.
- True potato seeds offer significant advantages over traditional seed tubers, including disease resistance, longer shelf life, and easier transport.
- Bayer’s established distribution channels will ensure the reach of these innovative seeds to remote areas.
- This collaboration aims to support smallholder farmers, improve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Introduction of Solynta’s True Potato Seeds
Bayer and Solynta have announced a strategic partnership to introduce and distribute true potato seeds in Kenya and India. This collaboration marks Bayer’s first venture into the 20 million hectares global potato market. Solynta, a Dutch company specializing in hybrid potato varieties, will provide its expertise in developing resilient potato varieties suited for these markets.
Advantages of True Potato Seeds
True potato seeds present several benefits compared to traditional seed tubers. Traditional seed tubers are prone to disease, spoilage, and are costly to transport and store. In contrast, the seeds are disease-free, have a longer shelf life, and are lighter and more economical to transport. Additionally, it can be bred with traits such as disease resistance and climate resilience.
Bayer’s Role and Vision
Bayer’s involvement in this partnership aligns with its commitment to sustainable agriculture. Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science Division, stated, “We are excited to enter the collaboration with Solynta and to further support smallholder farmers. Seed innovation is one of our key focus areas. We expect these potato seeds to have a positive impact on local communities and on food and nutritional security in Kenya and India.”
Inci Dannenberg, President of Global Vegetable Seeds at Bayer, added, “The addition of true potato seeds to our portfolio is a natural progression of the work our team continues to do to support smallholder growers and offer the latest innovations. We will utilize our already well-established distribution networks in India and Kenya to get true potato seeds into the hands of growers.”
Solynta’s Expertise and Commitment
Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, emphasized the extensive research behind their hybrid potato breeding technology. “Hybrid breeding is a proven technology in many existing food crops, which allows fast development of new varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistances. As a company, we are delighted to join forces with Bayer on the introduction and distribution of our seeds to these markets.”
Solynta’s Chief Commercial Officer, Joost van Regteren, highlighted the importance of this collaboration for expanding their commercial presence. “We are focused on rapidly and broadly introducing true potato seeds, conducting field and commercial trials to demonstrate their effectiveness. We are thrilled to partner with Bayer for the further commercial roll-out in Kenya and India,” he stated.
Image provided by Solynta
