Davis, California
December 2, 2008
Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.,
an agricultural technology company focused on developing
technologies and products that benefit the environment and human
health, today announced that it received a grant from the
United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) for the development of
Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE), Salt-Tolerant and Water Use
Efficient (WUE) rice and wheat in India. Under terms outlined in
the grant, Arcadia receives a total of $3.6 million over the
next three years. Arcadia will work with its partner in India,
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company
Ltd. (MAHYCO), on product development and implementation for
the program.
In April 2008, Arcadia entered into a multi-crop,
multi-technology agreement with MAHYCO to develop and
commercialize improved crops in India and South Asia. The USAID
grant will expand and expedite those activities to more rapidly
develop desperately needed new agricultural varieties for the
region. Between rapid population growth and challenging climatic
conditions, Indian farmers are in a constant struggle to feed
the country’s people. The United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) estimates that 221 million people in India,
or about one-fifth of the population, are undernourished. New
agricultural technologies like those outlined in the USAID grant
can provide a significant boost to agricultural productivity
without the need for additional equipment or major changes in
farming practice.
In addition to productivity challenges, current farming
practices in India put a strain on freshwater resources and on
the environment. Scarce freshwater resources that could be used
for drinking are used to irrigate crops. Water Use Efficient
crops under development by Arcadia can reduce the total amount
of water used. Salt-Tolerant plants can further relieve the
demands of irrigation on fresh water resources. Nitrogen Use
Efficient crops enable achievement of high yields with up to a
50 percent reduction in required nitrogen fertilizer, thereby
reducing fertilizer costs to farmers and reducing the
environmental impacts of fertilizer application. Crops generally
absorb less than 50 percent of nitrogen fertilizer applied to
agricultural fields, and the un-absorbed portion may pollute
waterways or be emitted as nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that
is 300 times as damaging as carbon dioxide.
“Increasing the productivity and sustainability of rice and
wheat systems in South Asia is critical for the low-income
producers and consumers across the region and a high priority
for USAID. South Asia is home to almost 1.5 billion people,
including more than 30 percent of the world's malnourished
people. As essentially all of the arable land is already under
cultivation, meeting future cereal demand and enabling
agricultural diversification will require higher rates of
improvement in cereal yields. Declining agricultural
productivity in the face of climate change and competition for
limited water resources in South Asia would have far reaching
consequences. The importance of addressing the long-term
challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in
the region cannot be overstated. With more than 70 percent of
the population living in rural areas, sustaining increases in
agricultural productivity and efficient use of land, energy and
water resources will have a large impact on livelihoods of the
poor,” said Robert Bertram, Acting Director of the Office of
Environment and Science Policy of USAID.
“Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat or soil
nutrient deficiencies are a constraint to rice and wheat
production in South Asia. Under most projected climate change
scenarios for South Asia, heat stress and water availability
will emerge as major constraints, with floods and drought both
increasing in frequency and severity,” said Josette Lewis,
Director of the Office of Agriculture of USAID. “The
introduction of crops with enhanced tolerance to abiotic
stresses will be an important strategy to increase agricultural
productivity, and hence, farmer livelihoods and regional food
security under these anticipated impacts of climate change.
Arcadia is the ideal recipient of this grant because of the
value of their technology portfolio and scientific expertise,
and because of their relationship with MAHYCO and their proven
success in the local region.”
"India is one of the most strategically important regions in the
world in terms of providing food security in a way that has a
minimal impact on the environment. There is a very real need to
maximize agricultural productivity, but many conventional
technologies require changes in farm practice and can have a
negative impact on the environment. The programs outlined in the
USAID grant offer a positive alternative and partial solution,"
said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia. "Our partnership
with USAID and MAHYCO is a great example of public and private
organizations working together to make a measurable impact.”
“This USAID grant further demonstrates the strength of our
partnership with Arcadia and our commitment to bringing modern,
powerful technologies to both large and small Indian farmers,”
said Usha Zehr of MAHYCO. “Indian farmers need new technologies
to help feed the country’s growing population, and this grant
will help expedite this process.”
Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in
Seattle, Wash. and Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences is an
agricultural technology company focused on the development of
agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance
human health. For more information visit
www.arcadiabio.com.
The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the
U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and
humanitarian assistance in more than 120 countries worldwide.
For more information visit
www.usaid.gov.
Established in 1964 by Dr. Badrinarayan R. Barwale, MAHYCO is a
pioneer and leader in the Indian seed industry. The company
strives to provide quality hybrid seeds. Since its inception it
has been engaged in plant genetic research and production of
quality hybrid seeds for the farming community of India.
Currently, it is engaged in the research, production, processing
and marketing of approximately 115 products in 30 crop species
including cereals, oilseeds, fiber and vegetables. MAHYCO is
also developing genetically enhanced crops with the use of gene
transfer technology. MAHYCO has a national presence with its
network across the country. For more information visit
www.mahyco.com.
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