Food Chain - Issue 207 - August 2025 | Page 69

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RiceTec
Hybrid innovation
RiceTec has always had a clear mission to lead innovation for sustainable rice agriculture. As a science-based company, it’ s committed to creating more value for farmers, consumers, and the planet.“ After pioneering hybrid rice in the US 25 years ago, RiceTec subsequently expanded into different geographies, first entering Brazil and then establishing a presence in India 15 years ago,” Karsten explains. With R & D facilities and seed production across these key regions, the company now exports hybrid rice seeds to rice farmers around the globe, including Europe, South and Central America,
Southeast Asia, and, in smaller quantities, Africa.“ RiceTec has a strong global presence and a unique market position. Wherever rice is grown, there’ s a good chance RiceTec hybrids are being used,” he continues.
For anyone unfamiliar with the agricultural market, we asked Karsten to elaborate on hybrid rice seeds and their benefits.“ Simply put, hybrid seeds are created by crosspollinating two different parent plants,” he expands.“ This process results in‘ hybrid vigor,’ meaning the plants grow stronger, yield more, and adapt better to tough conditions like drought or extreme temperatures.” For farmers, this translates into higher yields per
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