Mahyco develops new GM crops sans Monsanto support

BusinessLine

View Source

Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) is seeking regulatory approvals for field trials in genetically modified (GM) rice and cotton lines that can grow under water-stressed and saline environments, besides requiring less nitrogen fertilisers.

The ₹700-crore company has developed these new plants using proprietary genes belonging to Arcadia Biosciences, a privately-held agri-biotech firm headquartered in Davis, California.

This is a departure from the past when Mahyco relied on the US life sciences giant Monsanto – which holds 26 per cent in it – for either GM technology or genes.

Read the full article