Devgen broadens its services to the Indian farmer community by accessing a new distribution channel

Zwijnaarde (Belgium), 23 April 2010

Devgen promotes yield increases for four major food crops in India through an increased adoption of premium quality hybrid seeds. The new distribution channel is complementary to Devgen's current distribution network through regional distributors and local dealers, and allows Devgen to broaden its reach to the farmer community by providing information about Devgen and its products and services.

This distribution model was initiated by the formation of a strategic alliance between MCX[1] and the Indian Post under the name 'Gramin Suvidha Kendra' (GSK, gsk.mcxindia.com). The success of this business model is based on the strong network of India Post, widely spread across the country.

Under this program farmers are now able to receive advice on agricultural products and best practices and to order products without having to travel long distances. Devgen specifically aims to reach farmers through this channel in West and Central India. This venture intends to empower the small farmers of the country to increase their productivity through quality hybrid seeds, new technologies and improved agricultural practices.

This model already proved to be successful and received a special Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

About Devgen nv

Devgen's mission is to enable farmers to sustainably grow more food on less land, with less water, agrochemicals and labour.

Devgen uses advanced biotechnology and molecular breeding technology to make high yielding seeds and crop protection solutions with a superior environmental profile.

Devgen brings this technology to the market in the world's major food and feed crops through two complementary strategies:

-   Licensing Devgen technology for use in corn, cotton and soy and selected other crops in exchange for R&D funding, and milestone and royalty payments.

-   Producing and selling its premium hybrid seeds in major field crops such as rice, sunflower, sorghum, and pearl millet, in the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia.

In its Crop Protection unit, Devgen developed and has taken to market a novel nematicide, an agro-chemical product that protects crops from damage by parasitic nematodes.

Incorporated in 1997, Devgen has offices in Ghent (Belgium) and subsidiaries in Singapore, Hyderabad (India), General Santos (The Philippines) and Delaware (US), totalling about 280 employees. 

For more information please contact:

Or visit: www.devgen.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements containing the words "anticipates", "expects" , "intends", "plans", "estimates", "may" and "continues" as well as similar expressions. Such forward looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which might cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Devgen to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: agricultural risks and difficulties, including weather factors, diseases and pests, the costs and requirements of regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received; public acceptance of biotechnology products; political, economic and social developments in countries where Devgen operates and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent annual report.

These forward looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. Devgen disclaims any obligation to update such forward looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations, conditions or circumstances on which such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any securities issued by Devgen nv.

<< back