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Arcadia Biosciences to develop crops in India
Posted: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 4:34 pm
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Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. has received a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the development of Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE), Salt-Tolerant and Water Use Efficient (WUE) rice and wheat in India. Under terms outlined in the grant, Arcadia receives a total of $3.6 million over the next three years. Arcadia will work with its partner in India, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Ltd. (MAHYCO), on product development and implementation for the program.

In April 2008, Arcadia entered into a multi-crop, multi-technology agreement with MAHYCO to develop and commercialize improved crops in India and South Asia. The USAID grant will expand and expedite those activities to more rapidly develop desperately needed new agricultural varieties for the region.

In addition to productivity challenges, current farming practices in India put a strain on freshwater resources and on the environment. Scarce freshwater resources that could be used for drinking are used to irrigate crops. Water Use Efficient crops under development by Arcadia can reduce the total amount of water used. Salt-Tolerant plants can further relieve the demands of irrigation on fresh water resources. Nitrogen Use Efficient crops enable achievement of high yields with up to a 50 percent reduction in required nitrogen fertilizer, thereby reducing fertilizer costs to farmers and reducing the environmental impacts of fertilizer application. Crops generally absorb less than 50 percent of nitrogen fertilizer applied to agricultural fields, and the un-absorbed portion may pollute waterways or be emitted as nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times as potent as carbon dioxide.

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