– Water Efficiency Technology to Increase Productivity in Sugar Beet Farming –
DAVIS, Calif. and TIENEN, BELGIUM (March 18, 2011) – Arcadia Biosciences, Inc, an agricultural technology company focused on developing technologies and products that benefit the environment and human health, and SESVanderHave, a leading sugar beet breeding and marketing company, today announced that they have signed an agreement to develop Water Efficient (WE) sugar beets. Under the terms of the agreement, SESVanderHave receives exclusive global rights to the use of Arcadia’s Water Efficiency technology in sugar beets. Arcadia receives certain fees prior to commercialization of resulting products, and a share of the commercial sales revenue. This agreement builds upon the agreement the two companies reached in 2007 for the development of Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) sugar beets. Under the 2007 agreement, the companies developed a collaboration to optimize research, product development, and commercial activities in NUE sugar beets. Initiatives related to Arcadia’s WE technology will be added to this collaboration.
Arcadia’s WE technology enables crops to produce high yields under reduced or sub-optimal water conditions. This technology can make farming more efficient and reserve more fresh water resources for human consumption. By combining WE with Arcadia’s NUE technology, which enables crops to produce high yields using less nitrogen fertilizer, sugar beet growers can have a significantly lower impact on the environment and increase on-farm profitability.
“Fresh water is our planet’s single most important natural resource, and farming is a significant source of consumption. The development of sugar beets that use water more efficiently can reduce the crop’s dependency on fresh water and improve farm profitability,” said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia. “SESVanderHave’s clear leadership position and commitment to sugar beet seeds makes them the ideal partner to commercialize this important technology.”
“Water shortage and drought can seriously impact sugar beet yields despite their well developed root system, even in regions where you wouldn’t expect reduced water conditions,” said CEO Rob van Tetering of SESVanderHave. “We are excited to be developing the Arcadia WE trait alongside the NUE trait in sugar beets, which opens new long term perspectives towards sustainable sugar beet growing in the world.”
About Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.
Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in Seattle, Wash. and Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology company focused on the development of agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance human health. For more information visit www.arcadiabio.com.
About SESVanderHave
SESVanderHave, formed through the merger of SES and VanderHave, is 100 percent focused on developing, producing, and distributing higher-yielding and more competitive sugar beet varieties. With more than 175 years of combined experience and a sound interpretation of market needs, research, and development, the company is committed to making a sustainable contribution to sugar beet farming. For more information visit www.sesvanderhave.com.
