MAS Seeds to acquire Forage Genetics International’s tropical corn breeding program

MAS Seeds, seed subsidiary of Maïsadour Group, and Forage Genetics International (FGI) announced today they have entered into an agreement for MAS Seeds to acquire Forage Genetics International’s tropical corn breeding program. Buying the tropical corn breeding program of FGI strengthens MAS Seed’s international development and breeding capacities.

Under the agreement, which is expected to be closed within few weeks, MAS Seeds will receive all the tropical corn breeding assets of FGI in Mexico:

• An R&D station in Queretaro, a complete breeding facility with its equipment
• An experienced team of three agronomists
• A complete corn germplasm of tropical corn genetic

“We are very excited about the acquisition of FGI’s tropical corn breeding program which will bring more diversity in our corn breeding program and in our commercial portfolio to support our international development. We will also benefit from a winter generation production base to increase our breeding capacities,” says Jacques Groison, CEO of MAS Seeds.

“We started trialing FGI genetics four years ago in Burkina-Faso, some of which we are about to register in Western Africa. This deal will help us expand our product portfolio to develop our sales in the new markets especially in tropical areas in Africa, Asia and Americas. With a breeding station in Mexico, home country of corn domestication, we will bring more genetic diversity in our breeding program to bring innovation to farmers.” says Denis Villenave, Director of New Markets.