Bayer gains exclusive Brazil rice breeding deal

Bayer CropScience has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to Brazilian seed company Fazenda Ana Paula’s (Bagé) hybrid rice breeding programme. Fazenda is parent company Metropolitana Incorporadora’s R&D division. Head of Bayer’s seed and trait BioScience business Dr Mathias Kremer sees a key role for hybrid rice in meeting growing food demand. “We are already a worldwide leader in hybrid rice seed with Arize, and we intend to enhance our hybrids further - with superior genetics and a world-class hybrid seed operation,” he says. Bayer intends to extend its rice production significantly through licensing deals and partnerships (see this issue). It expects global requirements for rice outstripping rising production. No financial details have been disclosed.