Mahindra enter joint venture to source seed potato from HZPC

Mahindra ShubhLaabh, the agribusiness company of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., has entered into an exclusive strategic alliance with HZPC BV, a 110 year old, Euro 225 million global leader, to produce, market and export seed potato from India. Mahindra ShubhLaabh is part of Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector and was one of India’s leading exporter of fresh Grapes to the European Union in 2008. HZPC Holland BV is one of the world’s largest private seed potato companies and was established in 1999 after the merger of two of the leading Dutch seed potato exporting companies- “Hettema” and “De ZPC”.

Mr. Gerard F.J. Backx, Managing Director, HZPC Holland BV and Mr. Vikram Puri, CEO, Mahindra ShubhLaabh at the signing ceremony.

Mahindra ShubhLaabh’s seed potato initiative aims at technology transfer in the production of high quality seeds for the Indian market as well as capacity building for the export opportunities that are expected to develop in the Africa, West & South Asia Region - as India scores over European supply in its timing and price. The company further intends to expand its capacity to produce high quality early generation seed materials for the Indian and international markets.

Speaking on the alliance, Mr. Anjanikumar Choudhari, President, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “This alliance is in tune with Mahindra ShubhLaabh’s intent to adopt potato as a strategic crop in its mission to build rural prosperity. Towards this end, the company is also building a Biotechnology facility in Himachal Pradesh. ShubhLaabh has already established itself in the early generation seed potato business in India. With this alliance, HZPC will bring in its leading “IPR” protected varieties which will also be offered to the Indian market following CPRI & Govt approvals. These will also form the basis of exports as “Mahindra-HZPC” co-branded products.”

This alliance follows Mahindra ShubhLaabh’s MoU for a JV earlier this year with South African heavyweight Capespan, a global top five $1 billion supply chain major & European Category Manager in the Fresh Fruit space.

Please visit www.mahindra.com for more information.