Research on Heat Tolerant Wheat Variety to Start Soon

A new collaborative project to develop heat tolerant wheat variety has been announced. The project brings together Arcadia Biosciences Inc., the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). While making the announcement on 19 October, Eric Rey, President and CEO of Arcadia, noted that the wheat varieties will be developed using a range of classical breeding and modern molecular biology tools. The new wheat varieties are expected to improve wheat yields despite increasing global temperatures thereby allowing wheat farmers in both developed and developing countries to maintain yields and satisfy an ever-increasing demand for this key food grain.

Under the terms of the agreement, CIMMYT will receive non-exclusive rights in developing countries to Arcadia's heat-tolerance technology developed under this agreement, and Arcadia will retain exclusive commercial rights in the developed world. Arcadia will lead the program under a $3.8 million grant from USAID. "Our partnership with USAID and CIMMYT enables us to share advances in our wheat technology program and access CIMMYT's expertise and experience testing wheat in stressed environments. Through our global commercial wheat relationships, products of this collaboration will benefit farmers in the major wheat-producing countries and contribute to the productivity of small farmers in developing countries, thereby enhancing food security" said Eric Rey.

For detailed story see: http://www.arcadiabio.com/news/press-release/arcadia-biosciences-usaid-and-cimmyt-develop-heat-tolerant-wheat. Contact Jeff.Bergau@arcadiabio.com for more details.