DuPont crop genetics research targets sustainable agricultural productivity

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont business, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics to farmers worldwide. Pioneer is contributing significantly to the effort by researching technologies to boost soybean and corn seed yields by 40% in the next 10 years.

Over the longer term, DuPont will be introducing agricultural products that provide novel and transgenic drought tolerance and nitrogen use efficiency characteristics that complement the industry-leading products that the company currently markets.

Bill Niebur, Vice President, DuPont Crop Genetics Research & Development, stated:

"This is an extraordinary time in agriculture globally. It is critical that we use our best scientific tools to ensure global food security through sustainable increases in agricultural productivity. We are aggressively deploying a broad range of molecular and field-based breeding approaches and advanced biotechnologies to ensure that farmers will be able to meet the global challenge to produce more food, feed and fuel."

"By bringing together a number of technological breakthroughs, Pioneer is targeting a 40% increase in yields from both its soybean and corn seed products in the next 10 years," he added.

Plant genetics and biotechnology research are increasingly attracting interest in the agricultural market. Pioneer, the first company to market hybrid seed, embraces new ideas that foster customer trust and improve its ability to deliver quality products.

Among the proprietary plant genetics technologies being supported by DuPont are Elite Germplasm; Accelerated Yield Technology; Optimum GAT; Right Product Right Acre; and Optimum AcreMax.

"Food security has emerged as a major global concern requiring more productive and long-term solutions. Important areas being explored are plant genetics and biotechnology, which can hasten production even in harsh environments and with limited resources. DuPont, as one of the leading researcher in these fields, aims to be a primary source of effective and safe technologies that can significantly help meet the Middle East's expanding food needs and demand,"

concluded Andy Holdsworth, Regional Leader, Middle East and Pakistan.