Bayer and Solynta have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the adoption of true potato seeds in the agricultural markets of Kenya and India. This collaboration marks Bayer’s foray into the global potato market, encompassing approximately 20 million hectares, and represents its first joint initiative with Solynta, a Dutch firm specializing in the development of robust hybrid potato varieties.
The partnership will leverage Solynta’s expertise in potato breeding to develop resilient potato varieties tailored for key growing regions in Kenya and India. Unlike traditional tuber planting, these innovations enable growers to start potato crops using clean and disease-free true potato seeds, requiring only 25 grams per hectare. Bayer will utilize its extensive distribution networks to commercialize these hybrid varieties, ensuring they reach smallholder farmers in remote areas across both countries.
Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Bayer, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration’s potential impact on local communities and food security in Kenya and India. He highlighted seed innovation as a critical focus area for Bayer, underscoring the anticipated benefits of true potato seeds in enhancing agricultural resilience and sustainability.
The use of true potato seeds offers significant advantages over traditional seed tubers. They are cleaner, disease-free, and more economical to transport and store. True potato seeds also boast a longer shelf life and are available year-round. Through hybrid breeding techniques, these seeds can incorporate beneficial traits such as disease resistance and climate resilience, aligning with Bayer’s commitment to regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems.
Inci Dannenberg, President of Global Vegetable Seeds at Bayer, emphasized the strategic fit of true potato seeds within Bayer’s portfolio, aimed at supporting smallholder farmers with innovative agricultural solutions. Leveraging Bayer’s established distribution channels in India and Kenya, the partnership aims to improve access to high-quality planting materials, addressing a critical need in both markets.
Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, highlighted hybrid breeding as a proven technology that accelerates the development of new crop varieties with desirable traits. He expressed satisfaction with the collaboration’s role in introducing true potato seeds to commercial markets, emphasizing its potential to establish sustainable potato cropping systems in Kenya and India.
Both countries face challenges related to the availability of high-quality planting materials, particularly in ensuring disease-free starting materials for potato cultivation. In Kenya, where potatoes rank as the second staple crop, limited seed tuber supply often carries risks of disease transmission. Similarly, in India, with diverse climate zones and a large potato market, there is a growing demand for resilient potato varieties that can withstand local agricultural challenges.
Overall, the collaboration between Bayer and Solynta represents a significant step toward introducing true potato seeds on a broader commercial scale, promising to transform potato cultivation practices and enhance agricultural productivity in Kenya and India.
