b'A Seed Built for Modern Agriculture The companys flexible business TPS are disease-free, lightweight, andmodel supports both local seed produc-cost-effective to transport, reducingtion and international collaborations pathogen risk and improving access to ensuring that hybrid TPS can be deliv-remote markets. For farmers, they lowerered efficiently and affordably where its input costs, improve crop health, andneeded most.enable quicker access to better-per- Solyntas financial strategy has forming varieties through faster hybridevolved from securing long-term, mis-breeding. sion-aligned investment for R&D to build-TPS also offers flexibility in how itsing a scalable and sustainable commercial used: direct sowing, transplanting seed- model, said Hein Kruyt, co-founder and Charles Miller, Solyntas director of strategiclings, or replanting harvested tubers,CFO at Solynta. During the first pioneer-alliances and development.depending on local needs. This adaptabil- ing days of Solynta, we have been primar-ity makes Solyntas technology suitableily focused on the development of the for a wide range of environmentsfrombreeding platform, the first good potato large-scale commercial operations tovarieties and the discovery of genes that smallholder farms. give us competitive edge over the clonal system. Early funding focused on devel-Commercial Rollout: Localoping our innovative true potato seed Partnerships, Global Reach (TPS) technology, while current efforts Solynta is now scaling up commercialare geared toward efficient production, trials and partnerships across multi- market expansion, and partnerships.ple continents, including Africa, Asia,Today, we see the market demand and Europe, and the Americas. These effortsinterest increasing for true potato seeds. VK Kishore, vice president and head ofare validating the performance of hybridThis requires scaling up our production global product innovation and new cropsvarieties in diverse climates and soils,as well as our workforce. As a result, ourVegetables R&D at Bayer Crop Science. while also building strong ties withfinancial approach continues to balance forward-thinking farmers and supplyinnovation with operational discipline as chain partners. we grow globally.Our focus now is on real-world deployment, said Miller. Were workingLaying the Groundwork for a More hand-in-hand with local stakeholders toResilient Food Systemensure that our technology is accessible,As climate pressures grow and food practical, and tailored to each regionsdemand rises, Solynta offers a scalable, unique challenges. sustainable solution with true seeds, pro-In Kenya and India, Solynta works withviding a clean, reliable alternative where local partners, among which Bayer.conventional seed potatoes are scarce or Bayer recognizes the challengesunaffordable.smallholder farmers face with traditionalWere not just improving a cropPeter Poortinga, Solynta CEO. seed tubers, including high costs, logisti- were creating the foundation for a new cal difficulties, and vulnerability to dis- way of growing potatoes, Miller said. A ease, said VK Kishore, vice president andway thats more productive, more resil-head of global product innovation andient, and more inclusive.new cropsVegetables R&D at BayerWith its shift into commercial opera-Crop Science. In collaboration with Bayertions, Solynta is poised to accelerate the and Solynta, a comprehensive strategyadoption of hybrid potatoes globally. is being rolled out in Kenya and India to drive the adoption of TPS. This initiativeON THE WEBWHERE focuses on enhancing access, providing agronomic training, and offering localizedThis article has been shortened support. Through demonstration plotsfor print. Scan the QR code to and knowledge-sharing activities, theread the entire version.goal is to increase smallholder productiv-Hein Kruyt, co-founder and CFO at Solynta. ity, profitability, and sustainability. 20/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025'