Zwijnaarde, Belgium
15 December 2009

Devgen nv (Euronext Brussels, DEVG), announces the launch of a new pearl millet hybrid, Mahalaxmi DB 5000. This hybrid is especially developed for the warm and dry North-West region of India where pearl millet is a staple food. Mahalaxmi DB 5000 provides superior grain and fodder yield, disease tolerance, is tolerant to lodging and has a good taste. Seed setting persists even in desert conditions at temperatures of 46-47 degrees Centigrade, close to the limit when plants shut down their metabolism.

"Devgen India is today a top 3 company in hybrid rice, sorghum and sunflower in India employing over 200 people in 16 states" says Bipin Solanki, CEO "This and 3 other pearl millet products to be launched in 2010 will rapidly strengthen our position in pearl millet. First sales of Mahalaxmi DB 5000 are targeted for January 2010."

"Farmers will increasingly be faced with hot weather and limited water availability." says Dr. Thierry Bogaert Managing Director Devgen group "This new product illustrates the power of our technology and our commitment to improve drought tolerance in major field crops like sorghum (8.5m ha in India) and pearl millet (9.5m ha in India). In rice, Devgen already markets drought and salinity tolerant RH257 hybrid rice."
 

Website: http://www.devgen.com

Published: December 15, 2009