AgroPages-Danish potato breeding company Danespo opens new breeding station and head office-Agricultural news

Danespo’ s new breeding station and head office was inaugurated on Tuesday 22 January 2019. The company says it will create the framework for the development environment in which to develop the potato varieties of the future.

A year ago, the ground-breaking ceremony for Danespo’ s new head office and breeding station in Give was held, and the inauguration was celebrated on January 22, 2019, with the participation of business partners and employees.

The new potato centre is located in a new business area in Give and consists of a 1000 m² office building, 2000 m² breeding facilities and a 1500 m² greenhouse located on a 2 ha plot.

Almost 200 guests came from both Denmark and abroad to look at the new facilities, and the Mayor of Vejle Municipality, Jens Ejner Christensen, praised the new potato domicile: “Danespo is a good example of the type of business we would like to have in the community. You are part of the food sector, which accounts for 20 per cent. of the workplaces in the commune, and you combine a high level of knowledge with efficient production”, said the mayor.

Flemming Nør-Pedersen, Director of Danish Agriculture & Food Council praised Danespo’ s vision of being a leading player in the development of seed and ware potatoes: “It is positive that investments are made in the breeding of potatoes in Denmark. Danespo creates many jobs and much export, and each Dane consumes 40-50 kg of potatoes a year. We have an important task in ensuring that the potato industry also has the necessary framework conditions in the future”, said Flemming Nør-Pedersen.

“With this investment, Danespo contributes to the development of the Danish food cluster by expanding our R&D activities here in Denmark and investing in value added and know-how for agriculture. This will benefit Danish potato production in the coming years”, said Jens Holstborg, CEO of Danespo.

“The purpose of our new facilities is to ensure the continued development and refinement of new potato varieties for the world market. It is important that we continue to have a strong focus on new varieties, which is the cornerstones of our business development. We are a global player and we must be at the forefront of our development so that we can secure our competitiveness both in Denmark and the rest of the world”, said Jens Holstborg.

“The requirements for modern plant breeding include the development of new laboratory techniques that can facilitate and accelerate the selection of new potato varieties. Our new breeding station will support the basic activities in the biotechnology area that we run with the universities and two major shareholders DLF and Desprez. ”