Chicago, Illinois, USA and Buenos Aires, Argentina
December 19, 2013
Verdeca, a soybean technology joint venture between Bioceres and Arcadia Biosciences, and GDM Seeds, a leading South American soybean seed company, announced today the completion of an agreement to develop and commercialize new soybean varieties based on Verdeca’s HB4® stress-tolerance technology. HB4® technology enables plants to adapt to multiple stresses and achieve higher yields. The agreement and collaboration leverage Verdeca’s technology and regulatory expertise, and GDM Seeds’ world-class soybean germplasm and breeding capabilities.
Verdeca’s HB4® stress-tolerant soybeans have completed six seasons of multi-location field trials in Argentina and the United States, including two years of extensive regulatory trials. The results of these trials demonstrate that HB4® technology provides a consistent and significant yield advantage under multiple environmental stress conditions typically found in soybean production areas.
Under the collaboration, GDM Seeds will develop and commercialize proprietary soybean varieties incorporating HB4® stress-tolerance technology. Integration of the HB4® trait into the GDM Seeds soybean breeding program has been in progress under an earlier research agreement.
“GDM Seeds is one of the most respected names in the soybean seed industry, with a significant market share in South America, which accounts for 49% of global soybean planted area,” said Eric Rey, President and CEO of Arcadia Biosciences. “The Verdeca/GDM Seeds collaboration will create significant value for soybean growers and end markets by increasing the productivity and sustainability of the world’s most important protein crop.”
“The combination of GDM Seeds’ elite germplasm with Verdeca’s proven HB4® stress-tolerance technology and regulatory capabilities creates an exciting opportunity to fundamentally change the landscape of the soybean business in South America,” said Federico Trucco, CEO of Bioceres.
Grown on 112 million hectares globally, soybeans are the world’s fourth-largest crop. Nearly 44% of the world’s soybeans are grown in Argentina and Brazil. Growth in global population, combined with a growing middle-class in countries such as China and India, create an ever-increasing demand for dietary protein from soybeans.
“GDM Seeds invests in breeding programs and new technologies to develop better soybean varieties and bring those varieties to farmers through its brands Don Mario and Brasmax as well as its licensing partners,” said Gerardo Bartolome, President of GDM Seeds. The combination of our elite germplasm and an innovative technology like HB4® should give farmers a very valuable tool to help increase their productivity.”
About GDM Seeds
GDM Seeds is a leading Argentina-based seed company focused on soybeans, but with operations in wheat and corn. GDM Seeds soybean varieties are consistently ranked among the top varieties in key soybean markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Additionally, the company has been at the forefront of technology adoption in South America and prides itself on bringing value and crop improvement to farmers. For more information visit: www.donmario.com.
About Verdeca
Verdeca, a US-based joint venture between Bioceres and Arcadia Biosciences, develops and deregulates soybean varieties with next-generation agricultural technologies. Working in partnership with South American growers, Verdeca provides technologies that help increase crop productivity, making more efficient and sustainable use of land and water resources. For more information visit www.verdeca.com.
About Bioceres
Bioceres is an investment company focused on the creation, management, and funding of companies and projects related to the development of technologies, products, and knowledge in agricultural biotechnology and related sciences. The company is owned by more than 270 of South America’s largest growers. Bioceres is a major shareholder of INDEAR (Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology of Rosario) and Bioceres Semillas. For more information visit www.bioceres.com.ar.
About Arcadia Biosciences
Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in Seattle, Wash. and Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology company focused on developing agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance human health. Arcadia’s agronomic traits, including Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Salt Tolerance, Heat Tolerance and Herbicide Tolerance, are all aimed at making agricultural production more economically efficient and environmentally sound. Arcadia’s health technologies and products create healthier ingredients and foods with lower production costs. For more information visit www.arcadiabio.com.
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