The Hindu Business Line : Avesthagen ties up with French seeds major

Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt Ltd has announced a tie-up with the French plant breeding major, Groupe Limagrain, to explore opportunities in agricultural research, seed marketing and nutraceuticals.

The two are finalising a special purpose company that will market seeds developed by either partner or jointly within the country. They will develop agrotechnologies that can add value to seed and food products, according to a company release.

The new entity is to be in place shortly, said Mr Manan Bhatt, Senior VP (corporate communications), said, without divulging the investment details. Avesthagen will also be involved in contract research services for Limagrain and be its preferred partner for field trials of new seeds.

Limagrain, a farmers' cooperative with revenues of 1 billion euros, is a foodgrains, vegetable seeds and plant breeding player present in the country through Hyderabad-based vegetable seeds subsidiary Clause Tezier India, apart from 29 countries.

Innovative plant varieties

The French major is interested in "introducing innovative plant varieties, including transgenic ones, in the Indian markets. Avesthagen will also work closely with Limagrain, its subsidiaries and partners to conduct research programmes to develop novel seed varieties and to take them to farmers through the SPV," the release said quoting Dr Villoo M.Patell, Founder & CEO of Avesthagen.

"The tie-up will allow Limagrain to strengthen its position in the Indian market and various technology platforms along with intellectual property from Avesthagen. In turn, Avesthagen will have access to Limagrain's expertise regarding elite germplasm breeding and global seed marketing," she said in the release.

Capturing growth potentials

Mr Daniel Chéron, Deputy CEO of Groupe Limagrain, was quoted as saying, "With this global alliance, Vilmorin & Cie (a subsidiary) will have opportunities to speed up the new (growth) potential in India. It will bring opportunities to operate collaborative R&D programmes in biotechs, especially related to GMO (genetically modified organisms) field plant trials. It will also provide development opportunities for Group Limagrain Ingredients (nutraceuticals) division."

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