Actually Dupont made the announcement for it’s subsidiary, Pioneer. The first joint venture was back in 2002 – Shandong Denghai Pioneer Seeds Co., Ltd. This one was just announced.
DuPont today announced that its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., has formed a joint venture with one of China’s largest seed production companies, Dunhuang Seed Co. Ltd., to provide top-performing corn hybrids to Chinese farmers in the spring market.
“I’m excited about the opportunities for the Pioneer business in China and the increased productivity that we can bring to Chinese farmers,” said Paul Schickler, vice president, Pioneer International Operations. “This partnership brings together two strong seed companies and combines their strengths to benefit the agricultural industry.”
Dunhuang Seed contributes extensive local field seed production experience. Pioneer’s strengths are in developing products that meet farmers’ needs, providing agronomic advice to its customers, and post-harvest seed conditioning expertise. With this unique combination of strengths, the JV is poised to offer Chinese farmers the highest quality seed and some strong new hybrid corn products for the spring corn market.
Wang Da-he, chairman of Gansu Dunhuang Seed Co. Ltd., said, “The comprehensive cooperation between the two parent companies is a complementary one, which will upgrade China’s corn seed sector and its commercialization process, and meanwhile lay a solid foundation for further development for both Dunhuang Seed and Pioneer.”