Mahyco Partners with RiceTec for HT Rice and Wheat

01 Aug, 2024

Mahyco Partners with RiceTec for HT Rice and Wheat

Seeds giant Mahyco has launched a 50:50 joint venture with US-based RiceTec, named 'Paryan,' to introduce non-GMO herbicide-tolerant (HT) rice and wheat varieties in India. This partnership aims to bring environmentally friendly HT traits and hybrids to Indian farmers, marking a significant expansion of Mahyco's global collaborations, including their previous successful venture with Monsanto. The new venture will focus on licensing HT traits and hybrids for rice and wheat to seed companies, which will integrate these technologies into their own seed varieties.

The HT rice and wheat varieties developed through this joint venture are designed to resist imazethapyr, a commonly used broad-spectrum herbicide. This resistance allows farmers to use imazethapyr without risking plant damage, making it ideal for direct seeding and zero-tillage cultivation. The HT rice technology, known as 'FullPage,' and the HT wheat technology, called the 'FreeHit' system, represent advanced double-stack mutant traits designed to improve weed control and increase yields.

According to Shirish Barwale, Managing Director of Mahyco, the cost of hybrid rice seeds and herbicides under this technology will be approximately Rs 5150 per acre, compared to around Rs 4000 per acre for conventional seeds and herbicides. This new method reduces irrigation needs and methane emissions, potentially allowing farmers to earn carbon credits. In India, where rice is cultivated on 44 million hectares and wheat on 30 million hectares, the adoption of HT hybrids is expected to grow, providing farmers with more efficient and sustainable farming options.