Bayer CropScience has expanded its centre for vegetable research and development in Leudal in the Netherlands.
The expansion represents an investment of some €12 million to triple the size of the existing research building to 6,400m2. The laboratories are kitted out with up-to-the-minute equipment for seed technology, cell biology and molecular breeding research as well as high-throughput biotech services.
At the opening ceremony last week, Bayer CEO Marijn Dekkers highlighted the group's commitment to horticulture and healthy food. "We aim to provide growers and consumers across the world with answers for resource-efficient production as well as with healthy and flavoursome vegetables," said Dekkers.
CEO of Bayer CropScience Sandra E Peterson said: “Bayer vegetable seeds, sold worldwide under the Nunhems brand are an important cornerstone in our strategy, and we are determined to remain at the forefront of innovation in this market."
"Our work focuses on making the best possible use of nature’s genetic resources, and continues to enlarge the traditional plant breeder’s toolbox”, explained Johan Peleman, Head of Research and Development Vegetable Seeds. “In our Integrated Breeding programs, skilled breeders work closely together with scientists to develop innovative characteristics into commercial varieties.”
Douwe Zijp, head of the Bayer CropScience vegetable seed business, and Aalt Dijkhuizen, chairman of the executive board of Wageningen University and Research Centre used the official opening to announce a joint initiative for Dutch secondary schools to supply tomato seeds and detailed instructions for a hands-on genetics experiment. By sowing the seeds and evaluating the characteristics of the young plants, students are made familiar with the basic principles of plant breeding. "The thriving vegetable industry needs the younger generation’s curiosity and imagination to sustain it. We hope that this school project will help to ignite a passion for plant breeding in the students," said Zijp.
The vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience operates under the brand name of Nunhems. Its portfolio consists of some 2,500 varieties in 28 vegetable crops, including leading varieties of carrot, cucumber, leek, lettuce, melon, onion, pepper, tomato and watermelon. With more than 1,700 employees, the unit is present in all major vegetable production areas in the world.
