Devgen and PT (Persero) Sang Hyang Seri sign biotech rice agreement

Devgen and PT (Persero) Sang Hyang Seri (SHS) herewith further strengthen their relationship. The companies have already ongoing agreements for R&D, production and distribution of non-transgenic hybrid rice in Indonesia.

"Bringing biotech traits to market will take several years and is a complex and stepwise regulatory and research process." Says Dr. Thierry Bogaert. "We are pleased to further strengthen our relationship with SHS, a strong partner in Indonesia."

"We are pleased to work with Devgen, a leader in rice trait and hybrid seed technology" says Mr. Eddy Budiono, the President Director of Sang Hyang Seri. "With this cooperation we will, as per government guidance, provide the Indonesian farmer with the best, locally produced, hybrid rice to increase yield and productivity in the country. The result will be significantly realized in the next few years. "

Indonesia is South East Asias largest rice growing country with approximately 12 million ha under rice cultivation.

Pt Sang Hyang Seri is a government wholly owned company dealing with seed, fertilizer and agrochemicals with offices and farms across Indonesia.

Devgens mission is to enable farmers to sustainably grow more food on less land, with less water, agrochemicals and labour.

Devgen uses advanced biotechnology and molecular breeding technology to make high yielding seeds and crop protection solutions with a superior environmental profile. Devgen brings this technology to the market in the worlds major food and feed crops through two complementary strategies:

- licensing Devgen technology for use in corn, cotton and soy and selected other crops in exchange for R&D funding, and milestone and royalty payments;
- producing and selling its premium hybrid seeds in major field crops such as rice, sunflower, sorghum, and pearl millet, in the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia.

In its Crop Protection unit, Devgen developed an agro-chemical product that protects crops from damage by parasitic nematodes. This nematicide was launched in Turkey and in US.

Incorporated in 1997, Devgen has offices in Ghent (Belgium), and has subsidiaries in Singapore, Hyderabad (India), General Santos (Philippines) and Delaware (US), totalling about 280 employees.