RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

Scientific Advisory Board Drives Innovation and Sustainability in Agriculture

A new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) was formed by the Liechtenstein Group, comprised of experts in sustainable agriculture and global R&D. The SAB will play a crucial role for Liechtenstein Group and especially for RiceTec, helping to advance their collective commitment to innovation and sustainability. The newly formed SAB brings together a diverse group of accomplished professionals, each with a wealth of knowledge, global experience, and passion for science that enhances sustainable agriculture.

SAB Board Members are:

David Fischhoff: David will chair the SAB. As a world pioneer in ag biotech, he spent most of his career at Monsanto, holding various global technology and business positions. David received the prestigious Innovation Prize for Agricultural Technology from the American Society of Plant Biologists and serves on several scientific advisory boards.

Richard Broglie: Richard is an experienced R&D leader with over 40 years of international experience across multiple crops. He spent more than 30 years in various scientific and strategic leadership roles at DuPont, including responsibility for establishing R&D activities in India, China, and Brazil. He recently served as Chief Technology Officer at Pivot Bio.

Robert Zeigler: Robert is a globally renowned scientist, spending most of his career in the public sector across all continents, but always focused on rice and sustainability. Among his many achievements is 10 years of service as the Director General and CEO of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). He is also a board member of the Sustainable Rice Platform.

The primary objective of the SAB is to offer strategic guidance on research direction, providing an independent perspective to shape and inform future endeavors. The board members will collaborate with R&D teams, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge. They will share insights on industry best practices and ensure that all entities of the Liechtenstein Group remain at the forefront of innovation and continue to lead in advancing sustainable agriculture.

By integrating the insights of these industry experts with our R&D teams, RiceTec and other Liechtenstein Group companies will remain at the forefront of innovation. This collaboration will accelerate the development of innovative solutions, further advance RiceTec’s vision of sustainable agriculture, and create more value for farmers, consumers, and the planet.

To learn more click here.

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com  

RiceTec and Mahyco Forge Groundbreaking Joint Venture to Transform Indian Agriculture

ALVIN, TX (April 2024) – Two industry-leading agricultural innovators, RiceTec and Mahyco, are proud to announce the formation of a joint venture aimed at transforming agricultural practices in India. The partnership, known as Paryan, brings together the cutting-edge technologies of both companies to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: reducing carbon emissions from agriculture.

The primary objective of Paryan is clear: to make innovative agricultural technologies accessible to stakeholders across India, thereby significantly reducing the carbon emissions associated with rice and wheat farming. By introducing sustainable farming systems, covering approximately 70 million hectares, Paryan aims to enhance farmer profitability while safeguarding the environment. The joint venture is committed to stewarding these technologies effectively, ensuring their longevity and maximum impact.

Over the next five-six years, Paryan plans to cover at least one-third of the rice and wheat farming area with its technologies, facilitating the transition to direct seeded rice (DSR) and no till wheat. Through these efforts, the joint venture anticipates removing up to 50 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, marking a significant milestone in the fight against climate change.

The formation of Paryan aligns seamlessly with the long-term objectives of both RiceTec and Mahyco. Both organizations share a common vision of enhancing farmer profitability through technological innovation while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture. By joining forces, RiceTec and Mahyco strengthen their commitment to sustainable agriculture and reinforce their positions as leaders in the field.

Paryan leverages the complementary technologies developed by RiceTec and Mahyco to address weed management in rice and wheat farming. By combining efforts, the joint venture can accelerate farmer education and stewardship initiatives, accelerating adoption of sustainable practices. Moreover, Paryan serves as a neutral licensing entity, offering equitable access to its technologies for all interested parties.

Through Paryan, RiceTec and Mahyco enhance their competitiveness by rapidly scaling up the adoption of their technologies. By providing access to multiple crop solutions, the joint venture can reach larger hectares more efficiently, thereby solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable agriculture.

Paryan’s initiatives extend beyond its immediate stakeholders to benefit farmers, suppliers, and other industry players. The joint venture will provide extensive farmer education on agronomy for its technologies, ensuring proper implementation and stewardship. Additionally, Paryan will collaborate with food companies to promote the procurement of low-carbon rice and wheat, empowering farmers to receive fair compensation for their efforts.

Paryan represents a bold step forward in the journey towards sustainable agriculture in India. By harnessing the collective expertise of RiceTec and Mahyco, the joint venture is poised to make a lasting impact on farmer livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

About Mahyco
Mahyco Private Limited is focused on research and development, production, processing, and marketing of seeds for India’s farming fraternity. Founded in 1964, Mahyco is the pioneer of high-quality hybrid and open pollinated seeds. Through the use of cutting-edge technology and intensive research activities, Mahyco has transformed the agrarian face of the country. Despite its growth and expansion, the company remains unchanged at its core. It is still driven by a visionary zeal and the belief that it is possible to improve the lives of farmers by using science to develop superior quality agricultural products.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

RiceTec and ADAMA Partner on Release of Full Page® Rice Cropping in India

ALVIN, TX, HYDERABAD, INDIA (May 2024) – RiceTec, dedicated to leading innovation for sustainable rice agriculture, and its Indian affiliate Savannah Seeds is proud to introduce the FullPage® Rice Cropping Solution to the Indian market in collaboration with ADAMA, a leading global crop protection company. Specifically designed for direct-seeded rice (DSR), FullPage brings together SmartRice® genetics, SQUAD® seed treatment, the FullPage unique IMI herbicide tolerance trait, and ADAMA’s Vezir herbicide. As a comprehensive rice cropping system, FullPage is poised to reshape rice cultivation in India.

Engineered specifically for DSR, FullPage integrates SmartRice hybrid rice genetics especially developed for direct-seeded rice to optimize crop performance. SQUAD seed treatment improves germination, protects from pests and diseases, and enhances overall performance. Tackling one of the greatest challenges in rice farming, the FullPage cropping solution features ADAMA’s Vezir herbicide, specifically designed to control stubborn weeds like weedy rice, grasses and sedges. Traditional DSR practices often struggle with weed management and inconsistent germination, leading to lower yields. FullPage’s advanced herbicide tolerance technology effectively combats these issues, delivering a comprehensive weed control to enable success of DSR practice while protecting yields.

“We’re thrilled to partner with RiceTec in introducing the FullPage® Rice Cropping Solution to India. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing innovative solutions for rice farmers, tailored to their needs,” said Sahin Ozkan, General Manager of ADAMA India. “FullPage not only tackles weed management challenges but also promotes sustainability, aligning with the most advanced agricultural practices in the world. With its advanced technology and benefits like reduced groundwater usage and increased yields, FullPage offers a new approach to rice cultivation. We’re dedicated to supporting the adoption of FullPage among Indian farmers.”

The launch of FullPage in India marks an exciting opportunity to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the country. Leading the charge are two pioneering FullPage rice hybrids from Savannah: Sava 134 and Sava 127, tailored to excel in key regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, catering to early to medium maturity segments.

“As leaders in rice seed technology, we’re committed to innovative solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and our planet,” affirmed Ajai Rana, RiceTec’s Asia Pacific Business Head. “Having witnessed the remarkable success of FullPage across the Americas, we’re thrilled to extend its advantages to India, reducing costs and enhancing sustainability in the world’s second largest rice-producing nation.”

FullPage is a total-package rice cropping system that is fully supported by a team of technical service representatives to make a positive impact on today’s farmers. These experts are readily available to assist growers in adjusting to this new cropping solution and advising on best practices for use of Vezir for each farm. Highlighting our dedication, over the three years, the Savannah team has conducted nearly 500 demonstrations, reaching more than 17,000 farmers through field visits and demonstrations. Farmers quickly recognized the benefits of the FullPage system, favoring direct seeding over transplanting. This transformative solution addresses challenges such as water scarcity, labor-intensive practices, weed management and greenhouse gases emission, paving the way for a significant shift to sustainable farming practices.

“With FullPage, we’re not just introducing a product; we’re transforming an entire industry,” Rana, continued. “Through dedicated efforts and extensive farmer collaboration, we’re bringing cutting-edge technology to address critical agricultural challenges in India, from water management to weed control. FullPage holds the promise of enhancing livelihoods and ensuring a sustainable future for farmers and the environment. This launch marks a significant step towards our vision of fostering sustainable rice agriculture that delivers lasting value for farmers, consumers, and the planet.”

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

To learn more about Savannah Seeds, visit www.savannahseeds.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, X/Twitter, Google Plus or WhatsApp 0 95997 67127.

About ADAMA
ADAMA Ltd. is a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers across the world to combat weeds, insects, and disease. ADAMA has one of the widest and most diverse portfolios of active ingredients in the world, as well as state-of-the-art R&D, manufacturing, and formulation facilities. With a culture that empowers our people to listen to farmers and ideate from the field, ADAMA is uniquely positioned to offer a vast array of distinctive mixtures, formulations, and high-quality differentiated products, delivering solutions that meet local farmer and customer needs in over 100 countries globally. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and X®.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

Celebrating an Era of Innovation While Looking to the Future: RiceTec Announces the Retirement of Dr. José Ré and Appoints Dr. Amitabh Mohanty as New Head of Global R&D

Ré’s influence extends well beyond RiceTec. He has also served on the Boards of the International Seed Federation and the American Seed Trade Association, which are the voice of the global and US seed industry with a mission to create the best environment for the global movement of healthy, quality seed, and promote plant breeding and innovation in seeds. His tenure on various committees, including more than eight years on the Illegal Seed Practices Coordination Group and nearly 11 years on the Intellectual Property Coordination Group, has been instrumental in lending a voice to the more than 7,000 members in 70 countries. In 2015 Jose was appointed by the US Agriculture Secretary to the US Plant Variety Protection Board, where he served representing the seed industry sector.

Reflecting on Ré’s tenure, CEO Karsten Neuffer remarked, “José’s 19-year tenure at RiceTec has been characterized by extraordinary leadership and visionary foresight, consistently steering us towards groundbreaking achievements in sustainable rice agriculture. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Before joining RiceTec, Dr. Mohanty served at Corteva Agriscience as Leader of Global Biotech Operations, Trait Discovery Operations Leader, and Program Leader, Ag Productivity, and Insect Control Traits. His contributions there were key to the success of their trait pipeline. Dr. Mohanty brings rich experience and expertise in trait discovery, technology, and product development in rice. [KN1] His domain knowledge is well recognized by external peers. He was invited to serve as a member of the Genome engineering Task Force of the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India.

Dr. Mohanty holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the Department of Plant Molecular Biology at the University of Delhi South Campus, India, and did his post-doctoral studies at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York. He is a contributor to scientific literature with numerous journal articles and patents to his name, as well as a rich history of participation in scientific conferences and symposiums.

Dr. Mohanty’s expertise promises to continue our legacy of innovation in sustainable rice agriculture. We look forward to this new era of growth and discovery, firmly committed to our mission for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet.

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

RiceTec Hires Chakra Sankaraiah as Global Chief Technology Officer

Alvin, TX (September 28, 2023) — RiceTec, a global leader in sustainable rice agriculture, announced today the appointment of Chakra Sankaraiah as its new Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With over 21 years of experience in data and digital technologies, Sankaraiah brings expertise to RiceTec’s leadership team.

As Global CTO, Sankaraiah will be at the forefront of RiceTec’s digital transformation. He will spearhead efforts to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as predictive analytics, farm operations automation, and cloud services to enhance decision-making processes at RiceTec and to support rice farmers.

“I am thrilled to have Chakra on board,” said RiceTec CEO Karsten Neuffer. “His experience in digital technologies and agriculture will be a great addition to RiceTec’s leadership team. I look forward to working with him and bringing digital innovation to RiceTec and rice farmers worldwide to help drive the transformation towards a more sustainable rice agriculture.”

Sankaraiah’s extensive background in data and digital technologies spans Fortune 500 companies and unicorn startups. He has a wealth of experience in the ag-tech space, having led engineering and architecture for digital products at Land O’ Lakes and experience working in large-scale cloud-based data management products at Cloudera, a unicorn startup. Sankaraiah has also worked with global teams at Target, IBM, and Capgemini, building data platforms and artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions.

“I am incredibly excited to join RiceTec, a company committed to sustainable rice agriculture,” said Sankaraiah. “I envision an immense opportunity to employ data and machine learning techniques to unlock greater value for farmers and the planet. I am eager to work with this talented team to help scale RiceTec’s efforts globally, using intuitive digital experiences to benefit farmers.”

Chakra holds an MBA in Technology and Strategy from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business, and an Electrical Engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur. Additionally, he serves as a faculty member for the Center for Applied AI and is a strategic advisory member for a graduate program in software at the University of St. Thomas.

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

RiceTec Hires Megan DeYoung as Head of Transformation & Business Development

ALVIN, TX (February 2023) – RiceTec announced today the hiring of Megan DeYoung for a newly created role as Head of Transformation and Business Development. This position has global responsibility for RiceTec’s transformation, strategy and business development activities and will work closely with the organization to drive implementation of prioritized initiatives.

“We are excited to have Megan join the RiceTec leadership team and look forward to her contributions,” said RiceTec CEO Karsten Neuffer. “Megan brings rich experience that will help guide RiceTec’s strategy for a more sustainable rice production worldwide.”

Prior to RiceTec, DeYoung was Vice President of Business Development at AeroFarms, a vertical farming company, where she developed new commercial opportunities with industry partners that deployed AeroFarms’ transformative farming approach to revolutionize agriculture. Over the course of her career, DeYoung has advised multiple Fortune 1000 companies on how to develop and implement strategies that marry environmental and social action with business value.

DeYoung graduated from the University of Michigan with an MBA from the Ross School of Business and a MS from the School for Environment and Sustainability. She also holds a BA with High Honors in Sociology from Emory University.

“I am proud to be joining a company that is committed to selling sustainable, nutritious rice globally”, said DeYoung. “I look forward to working with the team to keep RiceTec on the cutting edge of innovation.”

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

RiceTec, Inc.
Julie Bodine
Director, Global Corporate Communications
+1.832.316.8859
jbodine@ricetec.com

RiceTec Appoints Karsten Neuffer as New CEO

ALVIN, TX (June 2022) – RiceTec Board of Directors announced today that Karsten Neuffer has been appointed the new Global CEO of the company effective August 1, 2022. Neuffer joins RiceTec as an experienced agricultural business leader and will succeed the current Global CEO, Mike Gumina, who held the position for eight years.

“We are very excited to bring Karsten Neuffer as new Global CEO on board. His strong seed background and his leadership skills make him the right successor to Mike Gumina, whom I want to thank for his outstanding contribution and dedicated service for the past eight years,” said Board Chairman, Constantin Liechtenstein.

Neuffer is a seasoned ag executive with broad experience in business development and operational leadership. After he started his career with McKinsey advising chemical and agriculture corporations, Neuffer joined Syngenta in 2006, working in various strategic, commercial, and executive roles. His latest assignment with Syngenta was Regional Director of LATAM having full P&L responsibility for a $4 billion business operation. In 2018, he joined Indigo AG as International COO responsible for developing and executing a strategy to expand Indigo’s presence globally and subsequently took over global commercial leadership as CCO.

“I am thrilled to join RiceTec, and I look forward to continuing to expand RiceTec’s business and bring our leading technology to rice farmers for a more sustainable agricultural market,” said Neuffer.

Gumina will continue to serve until his retirement on July 31, 2022, and Neuffer’s position will be effective on August 1, 2022. RiceTec Field Day will take place on August 11 in Harrisburg, AR where Neuffer is excited to meet growers, partners, and employees. Attendees also visited with vendors like Adama, Aquarius, USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, John Deere and many others. They went home with gifts including a one[1]pound bag of white SmartRice. For more information on RiceTec, its 2023 product offerings or other Field Day highlights.

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About RiceTec
Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

RiceTec Launches of Max-Ace® Climate-friendly Rice Cropping System

ALVIN, TX (May 2021) — RiceTec, a leader in sustainable rice agriculture, has launched the Max-Ace® rice cropping solution in collaboration with ADAMA, a global crop protection company. This innovative solution represents a new generation of climate-friendly rice seed, designed to enhance yield and provide rice growers with an effective tool for weed control.

The Max-Ace rice cropping solution includes SmartRice genetics, SQUAD seed treatment, the unique ACCace climate-friendly trait, and ADAMA’s herbicides. It provides farmers with excellent grass weed control with Highcard herbicide in rice.

RiceTec is committed to supporting growers by providing this advanced seed. Max-Ace will also serve as an additional herbicide rotation partner, helping to manage weed resistance in herbicide-tolerant rice solutions.

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About RiceTec

Headquartered in Alvin, Texas, RiceTec has been a pioneer in sustainable rice agriculture since 1988. With an innovative spirit, we introduced the first commercial hybrid rice seed in 1999 in the US, leveraging advanced breeding techniques and a diverse germplasm collection. As the first to commercialize hybrid rice seed in both North and South America, our innovations continue to shape the industry, evident in advancements like our FullPage® and Max-Ace® Rice Cropping Solutions. With a decade-long operations in India and reach into Europe and Southeast Asia, RiceTec continues to transform rice production for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the planet. To learn more about RiceTec’s commitment to a sustainable future, visit www.ricetec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.