Advanta Seeds opens new Biotechnology Center

Advanta Seeds, a global agriculture company specializing in seeds and agricultural solutions, opens a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in College Station, Texas, USA.

The new Biotechnology Center is a result of a ground-breaking partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Research headquartered at Texas A&M University in College Station. “We are pleased to form this partnership and look forward to discovering new crop technologies to meet the challenges of an ever-expanding global population,” said Dr. Craig Nessler, Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station.

The center will accelerate Advanta Seeds research and development capabilities for the company’s key crops - sorghum, corn, vegetables sunflower, canola and rice.

“The completion of this new biotechnology center is part of our corporate commitment to farmers and food security,” commented Bhupen Dubey, Advanta Seeds CEO. "The UPL Group, that Advanta Seeds is a part of, invests heavily into the agriculture future. It all started with finding the best research partner compatible with our R&D projects and technology which led us to Texas A&M AgriLife Research. We have considered 10 candidates from countries where our business operates, but Texas A&M AgriLife Research proved to be the best choice with clear and business-friendly policies which is crucial for making available new technologies to farmers quickly. Additionally, the state of Texas has very clear regulations and policies regarding seeds import, which is very important for conducting international research."

The Advanta CS Biotechnology Center will support Advanta Seeds local and international research programs. College Station is furthermore an important location for one of Advanta Seeds key crops - grain and forage sorghum.

“We are a leading company in sorghum traits development and providing farmers with the most suitable seeds and technology for their environment. We are the first company in the US who launched Aphix™, the SCA tolerance range of sorghum hybrids. Under our local brand Alta Seeds we are providing US and Mexico sorghum growers with the most advanced seeds’ technologies tested and developed in the local environment,” shared Ben Adams, Advanta Seeds Business Director North America.” Our partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, which has advanced sorghum programs, is very important for our products."

“Advanta CS Biotechnology Center will be a heart of Advanta Seeds innovation. The new center is created based on Advanta’s 60 years of experience in plant genetics, latest technology and the best of talent,” said Dr. Alberto Leon, Advanta Seeds Global R&D Director. ”This would not be possible without the support we have received from Texas A&M AgriLife and Research Valley Partnership.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is recognized internationally for its ground-breaking discoveries in agriculture and the partnership is very beneficial for both organizations. As part of the partnership agreement, Advanta Seeds will provide an internship opportunity for graduate students.”

With the opening of the Advanta Seeds Biotechnology Center, Advanta Seeds is hoping to bring new generations of seeds to growers and improve the sustainability and profitability of farming.