Seeds and agrochemicals firm Monsanto India is in talks with the government to offer biotechnology traits like weed control, tolerance to moisture deficient and nitrogen application in varietal crops like wheat, sugarcane, mustard and soybean.
“We are in the explorations stage and talks are in initial stages with the central government though we are yet to approach states. We are focused on R&D in seed and biotech product innovation in cotton, corn, wheat, sugarcane and soybean all of which are relevant to enhancing productivity in India,” said Jagresh Rana, Director, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (India).
Varietal crops are those where the farmer can reuse the old seeds and doesn’t need fresh seeds for cultivation again. Currently, the global major doesn’t have any partnerships with in these varietal crops as it has not found viable business models in them. “The genetics of these crops are such that we cannot create their hybrids and hence, they are varietal. Moreover, because of this nature, there are no viable business models for the private sector. Hence, we are looking for public private partnerships (PPP) in these. We are willing to dialogue on appropriate go-to-market models,” Rana added.
A biotechnology trait is inserting in one or more genes in the seed and that helps in combating insects and control weeds and hence, the yield is preserved throughout the growing season.
To innovate and discover biotechnology traits like increased tolerance to moisture deficiency or draught-tolerance trait in soybean or lesser application of nitrogen in wheat and reduce insect damages, the company will need to invest more than Rs 500 crore for a span of 10 years and this can happen with the support of government, Rana said. He explained that there are business models for companies like Monsanto where hybrids can be created like in cotton and corn and the farmer has to buy fresh seeds every season.
“In such varietal crops, there are not many business models for the private sector. We are open to exploring innovative partnership models with governments to increase India-relevant R&D and access of cutting-edge seeds and technologies to farmers in their preferred hybrid and varietal seeds and,” Rana added.
In fact, last year the company entered and expanded into new partnerships with six state governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir to help increase crop productivity through better hybrids seeds in corn, cotton and vegetables.
Besides investing in such varietal crops, the company also plans to launch genetically modified corn or Bt corn in 2012-13 in India and whose studies and regulatory trials are in the final stages.
Monsanto is focused 100 per cent on agriculture in two distinct segments of seeds and traits (S&T) - corn, cotton, soybean, canola, sugarcane, wheat and vegetables, and agricultural productivity – a herbicide for weed management.
