Mahindra Agri ties up with KeyGene for crop research

Mahindra group firm Mahindra Agri Solutions Ltd and Netherland-based KeyGene have tied up to undertake research in key field crops.

KeyGene is the crop innovation company that also has presence in the United States and India. Mahindra Agri Solutions Ltd (MASL) is a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and part of the USD 20.7 billion Mahindra Group.

"KeyGene's crop innovation platforms will be used for the development of economically important and market relevant traits. This technology collaboration will yield highly productive and more resilient varieties of crops," a company statement said.

The collaboration will ensure crop resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought and heat and biotic stresses like pests and diseases in MASL's proprietary germplasm.

"We are committed to Farming 3.0, the new age of farming that encompasses a range of advanced techniques to elevate the entire agri-ecosystem through the provision of customised products and solutions using sustainable global technologies," MASL's MD and CEO Ashok Sharma said.

The company would leverage KeyGene expertise, next generation technologies and trait platforms to develop highly productive and more resilient crops for both the Indian market and new geographies, he added.

"We recognise MASL's commitment to farmers and regard it as a leader in the arena of bringing innovative solutions to the market based on state-of-the art breeding technology and a strong germplasm base," said Arjen van Tunen, CEO of KeyGene.