Jakarta, Indonesia
March 16, 2009
 |
|
Pioneer rice research paddy fields in Indonesia |
DuPont and the Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR)
today announced an agreement that grants DuPont business
Pioneer Hi-Bred access to
test and commercialize ICRR rice hybrids in Asia.
Rice is the most important staple food for more than half of the
world’s population. The growing population in Asia is driving
pressure to improve rice yields to meet the increasing demand
for food.
The agreement grants Pioneer access to several ICRR inbreds and
hybrids for evaluation and testing, and the exclusive right to
commercialize any new selected hybrids. ICRR will be paid a
royalty to support their research and development efforts for
any hybrids Pioneer commercializes. Financial terms of the
agreement were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the world-class public rice
breeding program at the ICRR to help meet the increasing demand
for rice,” said William S. Niebur, vice president -- DuPont Crop
Genetics Research and Development. “This partnership will help
leverage our expertise as the leader in advanced plant genetics
breeding and development to improve nutrition, standards of
living and overall agricultural productivity.”
“It is the government’s aim to increase national rice
productivity through many strategies, including partnering with
private institutions in research and development of hybrid
rice,” said Hasil Sembiring, director -- Indonesian Center for
Rice Research.
“We are only just beginning to realize the enormous potential
that public-private partnerships offer toward increasing global
agricultural productivity,” Niebur said.
This partnership complements a collaboration DuPont announced
earlier this month with the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) to increase the rate of yield gains and to
boost the quality and diversity of hybrid rice. The results of
that work will contribute to making better advanced breeding
lines and hybrids available to rice breeders and farmers in
Asia.
The Indonesian Center for Rice Research is an institution
under the Indonesian Agency for
Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) with the main
mandate to conduct rice research. ICRR is a leading
customer-oriented research institute and the center of
excellence for rice science and technology.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
Other news
from the Indonesian
Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) |
|
