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 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.

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