Seeding Climate Solutions: Advanta CEO's Vision

Bhupen Dubey，Global CEO at Advanta Seeds

In an era where climate change and food security dominate global concerns, the seed industry stands at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Amidst this challenging landscape, Advanta Seeds has emerged as a beacon of progress, blending cutting-edge research with practical solutions for farmers worldwide.

In this exclusive interview, Bhupen Dubey, Global CEO of Advanta Seeds, offers a compelling glimpse into the company's strategies and vision. From their groundbreaking igrowth^® technology to their commitment to climate-resilient crops, Dubey outlines how Advanta is not just responding to current challenges but actively shaping the future of agriculture.

As Advanta Seeds continues to expand its global footprint, Dubey's insights reveal a company deeply attuned to the needs of farmers and the demands of a changing planet. This interview provides a rare window into the mind of a leader driving innovation in one of the world's most critical industries, offering both hope and practical solutions for our planet's growing food needs.

Advanta Seeds has shown impressive growth, with a 17% revenue increase in FY 2023-24. What factors do you believe have contributed most to this success?

Several factors have contributed to our success. One of the key factors is the external operating environment, particularly the commodity prices of the crops we are involved in. For instance, our diverse range of crops suitable for green energy, such as bioethanol, has created a significant demand. However, it's not just external factors that have propelled us forward. Internally, our dedicated and focused Advanta team, in close relationship with the growers, has played a crucial role in our success.

Your company has a strong focus on R&D. How do you see innovation shaping the future of the seed industry, particularly in addressing food security challenges?

Food and nutrition security is a pressing global issue that has been challenging for humanity for decades. Climate change further exacerbates the situation, significantly impacting crop patterns, pests, and diseases and leading to an unprecedented food security challenge. In response, the seed industry is investing heavily in addressing the impacts of climate change and developing new technologies. Our R&D investments aim to build climate change resilience and enhance crop productivity, innovation, and technology to address these critical food security challenges with growing populations and scarcity of land and resources.

Advanta has a strong presence in both field crops and vegetables. How do you balance your portfolio and research efforts between these different segments?

Vegetables and field crops are both in the seed sector, but they are very different. We are committed to making sure that the research investment is sufficient for both. As one of the few worldwide seed businesses that delivers vegetables and field crops, we want to continue developing a diversified portfolio. It is our strength to offer multi-crop and multi-products across many geographies.

Climate change is a significant concern for agriculture. How is Advanta Seeds developing products to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions?

Climate change dramatically impacts cropping patterns and emerging pests, diseases, and viruses. We put a lot of effort into understanding the changes and developing products resilient to the new conditions. The application of new technologies helps find new solutions. One result of climate change is increasing temperature. Advanta specializes in tropical genetics, and we are testing these genetics in wider geographies where the temperatures have risen significantly. 

Another result of climate change and rising temperatures is severe drought. Advanta is investing in drought-resilient crops like sorghum. We have been developing new sorghum technologies to enhance the crop's natural ability to perform well in drought and challenging environments. This climate-smart crop can significantly contribute to food security in the future.

The company has made strides in herbicide-tolerant technology for sorghum with igrowth^®. Could you tell us more about it? 

igrowth^® is a revolutionary NON-GMO technology that we launched in 2017 in Argentina and Uruguay. Since then, we have quickly adapted the technology to South and North America, Australia, and some European countries. However, what truly sets igrowth^® apart is its successful trials in Asia and Africa, which prove its adaptability to different regions and make it a true game-changer for sorghum growers worldwide.

This technology allows farmers to apply registered Imidazolinone group herbicides at the recommended rates to igrowth^® sorghum plants without causing them damage. igrowth^® will give growers flexibility when applying pre- or post-emergent sprayings, so it fits various production situations and geographies. The igrowth^® sorghum has been widely trialled across multiple seasons and environments to assess performance not only of the herbicide tolerance capabilities but also to ensure it is adapted and performs reliably across them. igrowth^®, as a non-GMO technology, has global market appeal and is suitable for exports to countries with GMO restrictions.

It is the world's first commercial herbicide-tolerant technology for sorghum which allows to control weeds and take care of a costly problem for farmers. Now, with igrowth^® the sorghum growers can achieve their crop production goals and reduce their environmental footprint.

Advanta has been expanding its presence in various markets. Which regions or crops do you see as having the most potential for growth in the coming years?

Advanta has a very versatile portfolio and a lot of scope to grow in many geographies. We promote multi-cropping to reduce farmers' reliance on one crop and develop farmers' resilience to climate change. The developing countries have the most potential, with agricultural productivity increasing.

How is Advanta Seeds leveraging digital technologies and data analytics in its breeding programs and customer engagement?

Leveraging digital technologies in R&D and customer relationships in marketing is a way forward. We are using digital technologies and data analytics to develop new products faster. Our R&D team has digital capabilities and focuses on practical data usage. For customer engagement, we increasingly use new media and communication technologies to accelerate engagement and direct dialogue with distributors and farmers.

The seed industry has seen significant consolidation in recent years. How does Advanta position itself in this competitive landscape?

The significant consolidation in the seed industry has reached a plateau. The top organizations with a dominant position of up to 60% of the market have little opportunity and some limitations to grow more. Advanta has a chance to grow, considering its good track record over the past few years, growing portfolio, and new market opportunities. 

What role do you see for public-private partnerships in addressing global food security challenges, and how is Advanta engaging in such collaborations? 

Collaboration between the private and public sectors significantly contributes to food security, which is essential for every country. We believe in open agriculture, where farmers benefit from collaboration and innovation to produce more food. We partner with many research organizations, such as CIMMYT and ICRISAT, and the local governments to develop suitable products and genetics faster. We need to collaborate to meet farmers' demands and tackle climate change.

Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the global seed industry in the next 5-10 years?

The biggest challenge for the seed industry is helping farmers adapt to climate change. We must ensure that farmers have the right genetics and solutions for crop cultivation. Regarding opportunities, population growth creates more demand for food, driving new seed technologies. There is a growing opportunity in developing countries that are increasing their productivity and starting to adopt new seed technologies. Advanta's solid business strategy allows the company to grow simultaneously in many regions thanks to a well-diversified and geographically extensive portfolio.

This story was initially published in the 2024 India Focus. Download the magazine to read more stories.

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