Bangalore, India
September 23, 2008
DuPont opened a corn research center in Bangalore, India,
yesterday to help farmers increase productivity to meet growing
demand for grain. The new center is the fifth research facility
in India for DuPont business
Pioneer Hi-Bred and will develop high-yielding hybrids
adapted to the unique growing conditions in the area.
“DuPont is aggressively investing in India to increase farmer
productivity and profitability and make a dramatic, positive
impact on fulfilling global demand for agricultural products,”
said Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research
and Development. “India has a lot to gain from investment in
local R&D. It is the second most populous country in the world,
but its corn yields are just 25 percent of those in other parts
of the world where corn is actively being improved.”
“With just a 10 percent increase in corn production, farmers in
India could produce an additional 1.5 million metric tons of
corn grain a year. This can easily be done within five years
with investments like those DuPont is making in local R&D and
product and sales support,” Bill added.
The USD 2.5 million center consolidates and strengthens research
activities Pioneer has been conducting in and around Bangalore.
The new facility increases research capacity by adding lab space
for molecular breeding and expands comprehensive breeding,
testing and disease characterization programs in corn. |
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