Agri inputs major DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd (DSCL) today said it plans to commercially launch a new variety of tomato with long shelf life by 2016, using a non-GM advanced screening and breeding technique.
"We have signed an agreement with Arcadia Biosciences today to develop long shelf life tomatoes. We plan to have initial trials in 3 years and to launch the variety by 2016," DSCL Vice-Chairman and MD Vikram Shriram said.
DSCL's wholly-owned subsidiary Bioseed Research India (BRI), a hybrid seed development company, has signed an agreement with US-based agri-technology company Arcadia Biosciences to develop Long Shelf Life (LSL) tomatoes.
The tomato variety would be created using a non-GM (Genetically Modified) advanced screening and breeding technique called 'Tilling', Shriram added.
Arcadia has identified a number of genetic variations that allow tomatoes to fully ripen on the vine, yet still remain durable enough to survive the packing and shipping process, he said.
"An estimated 20-35 per cent of tomatoes on average are lost to post-harvest damage in Asia. As the fourth largest producer of tomatoes globally, India represents a significant market opportunity for LSL tomato technology," he said.
Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology company focused on the development of agricultural products.
DSCL is an integrated business entity with operations in sugar, fertilisers, chloro-vinyl, bioseeds and farm solutions.