DuPont Pioneer and Origin Agritech to Jointly Develop New Seed Technology for China's Farmers

Companies will work together to help advance Chinese agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (PRWEB) April 04, 2016

DuPont Pioneer, the advanced seed and genetics business of DuPont DD, and Origin Agritech Limited, a technology-focused crop seed provider , today announced a commercial licensing agreement to develop new seed technologies for Chinese farmers. This combined effort will contribute to the modernization of China's agriculture system and improved food security, which the government has set as priorities.

With support from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Origin has successfully developed corn seeds with insect control and herbicide tolerance traits. Origin's expertise in genetic improvements, together with DuPont Pioneer's 90-year history of plant breeding and local customer relationships, will deliver much needed new seed options for China's farmers.

"Once approved by the Chinese government, these products will help our country's farmers fight the insects and weeds that prevent their crops from reaching their yield potential," said Gengchen Han, chairman and CEO, Origin Agritech. "We have cooperated with DuPont Pioneer for several years, and we are pleased to be working with them on this project."

China's agriculture landscape is evolving. Farmers are increasingly adopting technologies, such as high-quality hybrid seed, mechanization and data-based decision making. The biotech traits Origin Agritech has submitted to the rigorous China government approval process are another important tool for improved domestic grain production.

"DuPont Pioneer is proud to be collaborating with Origin Agritech to help increase crop yields and food security in China," said Paul Schickler, president, DuPont Pioneer. "When we entered the Chinese market nearly 20 years ago, it was to collaborate with government, academics and local companies such as Origin Agritech to provide products and services that offer the best choices for farmers."

DuPont Pioneer is the largest multinational seed corn company in China and will continue to develop its high-performing popular hybrids for the China market in accordance with current MOA regulations.

Origin Agritech has applied for patents and regulatory approval in other countries, including the United States, to advance its global strategy to not only serve Chinese farmers, but also meet the needs of farmers around the world.

Origin Agritech Limited, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, is China's leading agricultural biotechnology company, specializing in crop seed breeding and genetic improvement, seed production, processing, distribution, and related technical services. Leading the development of crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. Origin operates production centers, processing centers and breeding stations nationwide with sales centers located in key crop-planting regions. Product lines are vertically integrated for corn, rice and canola seeds. For further information, please log on to the Company's website at: http://www.originseed.com.cn or http://www.originseed.com.cn/en/.

DuPont Pioneer is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success®.

DuPont DD has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control. Some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements are: fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; ability to respond to market acceptance, rules, regulations and policies affecting products based on biotechnology and, in general, for products for the agriculture industry; outcome of significant litigation and environmental matters, including realization of associated indemnification assets, if any; failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues; changes in laws and regulations or political conditions; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, natural disasters and weather events and patterns which could affect demand as well as availability of products for the agriculture industry; ability to protect and enforce the company's intellectual property rights; successful integration of acquired businesses and separation of underperforming or non-strategic assets or businesses; and risks related to the agreement entered on December 11, 2015, with The Dow Chemical Company pursuant to which the companies have agreed to effect an all-stock merger of equals, including the completion of the proposed transaction on anticipated terms and timing, the ability to fully and timely realize the expected benefits of the proposed transaction and risks related to the intended business separations contemplated to occur after the completion of the proposed transaction. The company undertakes no duty to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, or new information or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

# # #

4/4/16

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/dupont-pioneer-seed/origin-agritech-china/prweb13311929.htm

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Comments
Loading...
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!