Bayer Joins Forces with Solynta to Introduce True Potato Seeds in Kenya and India

In a landmark partnership, Germany-based Bayer and Netherlands-headquartered Solynta have forged an agreement to commercialize and distribute true potato seeds in the Kenya and India markets. This collaboration not only marks Bayer's strategic entry into the 20 million hectare global potato sector but also represents its inaugural joint venture with Solynta, a pioneer in developing robust hybrid potato breeds.

Bayer Joins Forces with Solynta to Introduce True Potato Seeds in Kenya and India
Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, and Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability, Crop Science Division at Bayer

In a landmark partnership, Germany-based Bayer and Netherlands-headquartered Solynta have forged an agreement to commercialize and distribute true potato seeds in the Kenya and India markets. This collaboration not only marks Bayer's strategic entry into the 20 million hectare global potato sector but also represents its inaugural joint venture with Solynta, a pioneer in developing robust hybrid potato breeds.

The partnership is celebrated by Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, and Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science Division, showcasing their mutual commitment to revolutionize the traditional potato cultivation methods. The focus of the alliance is on leveraging Solynta’s profound expertise in potato breeding to develop new, durable potato varieties suited for major potato-growing regions in Kenya and India. Bayer will handle the distribution of these innovative hybrid potato variants to growers, particularly in remote areas.

Frank Terhorst emphasized the core objective of their strategy, stating, "Seed innovation is one of our key focus areas," and expressed his anticipation for the impact of these advancements: "We expect Solynta’s true potato seeds to have a positive impact on local communities and on food and nutritional security." The transition from traditional seed tubers to true potato seeds offers multiple benefits. True potato seeds are more compact, sanitary, free of diseases, possess a longer shelf life, and are simpler to transport and store. Moreover, these seeds can be enhanced with traits like disease resistance and adaptability to climate change, available all year round.

Echoing the sentiment, Peter Poortinga remarked on the decades of innovation behind this development: "Hybrid breeding is a proven technology in many existing food crops, which allows fast development of new varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistances." He added, "We are delighted to join forces with Bayer on the introduction and distribution of our true potato seeds."

The agreement also involves extensive field and commercial trials to demonstrate the effectiveness of the true potato seeds. Solynta's Chief Commercial Officer, Joost van Regteren, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: "We are thrilled to partner with Bayer for the further commercial roll-out in Kenya and India."

Inci Dannenberg, President of Global Vegetable Seeds at Bayer, commented on the integration of true potato seeds into their portfolio as a natural progression of their efforts to support smallholder growers and introduce cutting-edge agricultural innovations. "Adding true potato seeds to our portfolio reinforces our commitment to next-generation farming techniques and sustainable food systems," she stated.

This partnership not only aims to transform potato farming in Kenya and India but also seeks to set a precedent for agricultural innovation globally, providing a sustainable, efficient, and resilient approach to one of the world's most essential food crops.