Seed breeder Rijk Zwaan has opened a subsidiary company in India.
Through Rijk Zwaan India Seeds Pty Ltd, the company hopes to collaborate with Indian distriubutors and start up local research and development activities. The main focus of the new firm will be melons, capsicum, cucumber, cauliflower and beetroot seed production.
Heading up the new operation is Venkatagiri Haregoppa;, who is based at head office in Bangalore. Parent company area manager Hans Bouman has been instrumental in setting up the new subsidiary. “The Indian market is characterized by its huge market potential, but also by the large number of small nurseries,” said Bouman.
“By developing a clever distribution network we want to keep the lines to growers as short as possible. In the first instance we want to focus in particular on supporting regional distributors and screening of our present variety range. Over time we want to invest increasingly in breeding activities, so that we can start developing specific varieties for the Indian vegetable market.”
Haregoppa is pictured seated second from left with Dutch agriculture attaché in India Henk van Duijn in the centre. They are surrounded by Rijk Zwaan employees at the official opening ceremony of the new venture.
