M&M subsi ties up with Dutch firm for seed potatoes

MUMBAI: Mahindra Shubhlaabh Services, an agri-business firm of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd group, on Tuesday said it has entered into an alliance with HZPC Holland BV to produce, market and export high-quality seed potatoes from India.

Mahindra Shubhlaabh Services (MSSL) aims to start production of high quality seed potatoes in India with the use of HZPC technology. Eventually, it also plans to scale up the production capacity to meet the emerging export demand in Africa, West and South Asia, the company said in a statement.

The tie-up with HZPC Holland BV, one of the world's largest breeder and supplier of seed potatoes, will also help bring its IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) protected varieties in India after necessary approval from the government, it said.

The company is also building a biotechnology unit in Himachal Pradesh in this regard, it added.

The alliance follows MSSL's agreement for joint venture earlier this year with South African fresh fruit supply chain major Capespan.

MSSL is engaged in agriculture value chain from farm gate to modern retail outlets. It is already supplying fresh produce to both Indian and global retailers