April 8, 2016
DuPont and China''s Origin Agritech to cooperate on creating new biotech traits
DuPont will be working with China''s Origin Agritech to create new biotech traits for the country.
According to Paul Schickler, president of DuPontPioneer, the collaboration will help to increase yields and food security in China. "When we entered the Chinese market nearly 20 years ago, it was to collaborate with the government, academics and local companies such as Origin Agritech to provide products and services that offer the best choices for farmers," Schickler said.
Furthermore, Origin Agritech has been cooperating with DuPont for several years, Gengchen Han, chairman and CEO of Origin Agritech, commented.
Origin Agritech is currently waiting for corn varieties – that can fend off insects and tolerate herbicide use – to be approved, Bloomberg reported. Together with DuPont, the company hopes to introduce new seed options to Chinese farmers.
Having established a reputation for genetic improvements, Origin Agritech''s phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to obtain the Bio-Safety Certificate from China''s Ministry of Agriculture, its official website says. Phytase has been used as a feed ingredient in rations to support absorption of phosphorus. Integrating it with corn will help to cut feed costs and improve efficiency.
Aditionally, Origin Agritech managed to develop Bt traits for insect-resistance and herbicide-tolerant traits. The company''s product lines are vertically integrated for corn, rice and canola seeds.