Hyderabad, India
January 12, 2011

Advanta, a global leader in agricultural seed and germplasm, announces the appointment of Dr. Quinton Joe Raab, Jr. as global plant breeding lead – field crops and corn crop research lead. Raab brings 20 years of experience in breeding, technology management and licensing work from Monsanto Company.

“Adding talented and experienced researchers who will strengthen our plant breeding and crop research is an important step as we reinforce our position as a one of the world’s leading sorghum seed providers,” said Steve Ligon, U.S. business manager for Advanta US. “We’re confident Joe Raab’s industry knowledge and skill will enhance Advanta’s development of innovative new hybrids and superior plant genetics.”

Raab will lead Advanta’s planning and implementation of breeding strategies in field crops and the steering of research activities in corn. He will be responsible for guiding and supervising global plant breeding research teams, facilitating innovative approaches to deliver differentiated and competitive products and maintaining Advanta’s competitive edge in global crop research.

"There is a growing need for innovative research and advancements in crop production," said Raab. "I’m pleased to join Advanta, a company that is committed to addressing this need. Advanta’s access to a massive global germplasm base provides excellent research opportunities."

Raab holds a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Texas A&M University.. He formerly served as the strategy and licensing lead for Monsanto’s U.S. business licensing unit, as well as the North America Commercial Corn Breeding lead, the Global Sorghum breeding lead and as a corn and sorghum breeder.

Advanta is a global seed company headquartered in India and with operating units in Argentina, Australia, India, Thailand and the USA with a wide range of proprietary products in important agricultural and vegetable crops that improve the productivity and profitability of the farmers in different parts of the world. Advanta is a member of the United Phosphorous Group of Companies.

Website: http://www.advantaus.com/

Published: January 12, 2011