Solynta, MIYOSHI GROUP collaborate to transform Japan’s potato farming

JAPAN – MIYOSHI GROUP has teamed up with Dutch hybrid potatoes company, Solynta, to introduce True Potato Seeds (TPS) in Japan, marking a significant step in improving the country’s potato farming practices.

The partnership between MIYOSHI GROUP and Solynta is focused on creating a new value chain for potatoes in Japan.

This collaboration is set to address the challenge of limited genetic diversity in Japan’s potato crops, exacerbated by strict import restrictions on seed tubers.

By introducing TPS, MIYOSHI GROUP aims to increase disease resistance in potato varieties, reducing the need for chemical treatments.

President Miyoshi of MIYOSHI GROUP expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Growing potatoes from true seeds offers us the possibility to choose the best road to market in our regions. We are impressed with the innovation of Solynta and look forward to the benefits that TPS will bring to Japanese agriculture.”

Founded in 1949, MIYOSHI GROUP has pioneered agricultural innovation in Japan, including the introduction of plant tissue culture and virus-free plug plants.

Now, they are shifting focus to Japan’s staple crop, potatoes. The lack of diversity in Japan’s potato crops has made them susceptible to diseases, a challenge TPS could help overcome.

Field tests are underway in northern Japan to evaluate the resistance of TPS to late blight, a significant threat to potato crops. If successful, this could lead to a decrease in chemical usage, making potato farming more sustainable.

The Japanese government is also involved, assessing the registration and import of TPS. While these seeds are disease-free and pose no threat to existing crops, their introduction will require a new regulatory framework.

“We know the development of these new varieties will continue at a fast pace,” Miyoshi added. “In just a few years, we expect to see varieties with resistances to nematodes and other pests, putting us in a strong position for the future.”

This partnership follows Solynta’s success in Kenya, where its hybrid TPS varieties were approved for commercial distribution by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).

This approval comes shortly after Solynta partnered with Bayer to bring true potato seeds to the agricultural markets of Kenya and India.

These varieties, including SOLHY007, SOLHY012, and SOLHY015, offer enhanced resistance to late blight, a disease responsible for global crop losses of 15-30% annually and financial losses of USD 6.7 billion. This approval signifies a crucial advancement for potato farming in the region.

Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science Division, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, saying, “We believe true potato seeds will positively impact local communities and enhance food security in Kenya and India.”