Could Increasing Photosynthetic Capacity Help With Grower Returns?

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Many of the gains in agricultural productivity over the years have been the result of improved genetics. One company is making a big bet on the secret to the next genetic improvement is in photosynthesis. ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed™ trait technology increases photosynthetic capacity. CEO Han Chen says this can help farmers differentiate their product based on quality.

Chen… “The idea is that every bushel of beans is now more valuable than a commodity bean. And how do we distribute that value throughout the supply chain so that everyone is incentivized to do so? So that’s kind of the core of this business model, in that in changes the farmer as a customer paying for more input products to now a partner in the supply chain sharing in the value.”

The company is currently working to commercialize their trait in soybeans, corn, and hemp.

Chen… “And what we can offer that grower is beyond yield how can we create premiums now tied to this enhanced value? And furthermore, because our value is really on the trait technology and how the industry values it, how can we also lower input costs for growers so that they have a better chance of improving their profitability?”

Zeakal announced a partnership with Nutrien last year to bring this technology to market.