Hybrid potato innovator Solynta and seed enhancement company Incotec announced at the International Seed Federation (ISF) congress today they have entered in a collaboration agreement. By combining forces, the group will bring world class seed technology and elite genetics to potato farmers worldwide.
This agreement will allow the companies to deepen their collaboration and provide the highest quality hybrid true potato seeds to the market, contributing to their mutual goal of unlocking the true potential of potatoes to solve the global food and nutrition crisis.
Potato is the fourth-largest crop in the world and represents a vital staple food for populations across the globe.
Hybrid true potato seeds offer numerous advantages to growers and other actors in the distribution chain due to their compactness, rapid scaling, availability for year-round planting and other benefits. This is particularly important for farmers in remote areas in Africa, Asia and Central America, where the availability of high-quality starting material is limited.
Solynta and Incotec have been cooperating in this space since 2013 on several research projects. Their collaboration includes co-run trials and scaling up production of hybrid true potato seeds and seed enhancement techniques.
Solynta is a Netherlands-based company using hybrid potato breeding to grow a more sustainable future. The company has developed a unique portfolio of hybrid potato varieties for farmers that are dependable, productive, and highly resilient to climate change. Solynta’s hybrid true potato seeds overcome the phytosanitary and logistical challenges associated with traditional seed tubers. These true seeds provide clean and disease-free starting material to farmers, compared to conventional seed tubers, which are highly prone to disease and pests. By partnering with Incotec, Solynta will benefit from Incotec’s expertise in seed technology and ensure its hybrid true potato seeds are not only genetically successful but also provide the most advanced seed enhancements available.
Incotec is a global seed enhancement company based out of the Netherlands. Incotec has developed a package of technologies, including a new pelletization method and innovative seed priming formula, specifically tailored to fit true potato seeds. Pelleting true potato seeds helps to improve the sowability of this small and lightweight seed by creating a uniform round shape and size. Priming the seeds helps to improve germination strength and uniformity. This seed technology will allow Solynta’s true potato seeds to succeed in diverse growing environments across the globe.
Johan Trouw, Supply Chain Director and co-founder of Solynta, added, “At Solynta, we believe that partnering with industry leaders like Incotec supports our mission of creating global solutions for food and nutritional insecurity. Their expertise in seed enhancement combined with our hybrid breeding technology will have a major impact on the future of potato crops around the globe.”
Erik Jan Bartels, Managing Director of Incotec, added, “Incotec is continuously innovating and improving its product portfolio. Extending our seed enhancement technologies to true potato seeds is a significant step forward in line with our purpose of helping to create a more sustainable food-secure global future. We value the cooperation with Solynta and are thrilled to be a partner in Solynta’s revolutionary work in the potato sector.”
