Brazilian startup creates the country's first sugarcane capable of resisting pests and herbicides
First seedlings will be available to the farmer in two years
04.05.2022 | 13:46 (UTC -3)
Andrea Braga
The first seedlings will be available to the farmer in two years. - Photo: Disclosure
The Brazilian Industrial Research and Innovation Company
(EMBRAPII) supported the development of a technological solution for agroindustry
which promises to revolutionize the field of genetic engineering. This is the first
genetically modified sugar cane from the country, capable of resisting the effects
harmful pests and herbicides at the same time.
The statement of pioneering is from the
agronomist Paulo Cezar de Lucca, founder of
PangeiaBiotech Research and Development, a startup that has existed since 2015
and who idealized the innovation. “This type of technology and plant breeding
it is already a reality. It started in 1996, in
United States, with soybeans, cotton and corn. So, we use cane
sugar, a typically Brazilian plant, and we made it 100% resistant to pests and
herbicides at the same time,” explains Lucca.
The idea is that the sugarcane is distributed
to the farmer in two years and will serve as raw material for production
of ethanol, sugar and other inputs.
For now, the plantations are in
test period and being analyzed in fields in Brasília, Goiás and São Paulo. A
solution was developed in partnership with an EMBRAPII Embrapa Unit
Agroenergy. Approximately R$900 thousand were invested, with EMBRAPII
contributed around R$300 in non-refundable resources. The initiative also
has the support of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service -
SEBRAE.
Support for Startups
EMBRAPII connects companies and startups to research centers
with trained professionals to help them overcome their challenges
technological. In addition to technical support, the organization provides resources not
reimbursable for the Research, Development and Innovation Project
(PD&I). For startups and small
entrepreneurs, the contribution can reach up to 50% of the value of the project.
EMBRAPII co-finances the projects until the solution is revealed
technologically viable - in the prototype phase. With the aim of helping
startups to place their product on the market after technological development, the
EMBRAPII offers the LAB2MKT model, additional support that includes a phase
important for the viability of innovation, also known as Cycle 2. The model reduces costs and risks
technological and marketing, enhancing the chances of startups proving
that your business model is economically viable.