Dutch vegetable breeder Rijk Zwaan has opened two new research and development facilities at its El Mami site in Almeria, completing its Spanish investment.
The new cell biology laboratory, and the completely renovated and extended phytopathology laboratory, will help the group “continue to create top-class vegetable varieties” for the future, Rijk Zwaan said in a statement.
The opening of the facilities marks the end of the vegetable breeder’s investment plan in the country, which has seen it completely renovate all of its R&D installations – demonstrating Rijk Zwan's “strong confidence” in the future of high-tech creative breeding.
“Our Spanish colleagues are highly motivated to make better varieties for Rijk Zwaan, for the Spanish growers and for growers in the rest of the world,” said Kees Reinink, managing director of R&D at the group. “Our new cell biology lab will speed up the development of parent lines for new varieties. Meanwhile, in the new phytopathology lab, our team will identify varieties with better resistances to continue to meet our customers' needs.”
