Key Takeaways:
- Innovative Breeding: Swedish startup OlsAro is developing new wheat varieties resilient to climate stresses such as salt, heat, and drought, using a platform that speeds up breeding processes.
- Significant Yield Increase: Initial applications of salt-tolerant wheat have shown a groundbreaking 52 percent increase in yields, particularly in testing phases in Bangladesh.
- Strategic Investment: Paulig’s venture arm, PINC, joins other notable investors in a 2.5 MEUR funding round to scale OlsAro’s technological and commercial efforts.
In recent developments in agricultural technology, Paulig’s venture arm, PINC, has invested in the Swedish agtech startup OlsAro. The startup is at the forefront of developing wheat varieties that withstand climate-related stresses, including salinity, heat, and drought. This investment is part of a broader 2.5M funding round to accelerate OlsAro’s innovative breeding solutions.
Advancements in Wheat Cultivation
Breaking New Ground in Crop Yields
OlsAro’s pioneering work in agtech focuses on creating wheat that can thrive under harsh conditions. The startup’s first breakthrough, a salt-tolerant wheat variety, has demonstrated a remarkable 52 percent yield increase during initial tests in Bangladesh. This development is significant, considering the increasing prevalence of salt-contaminated cropland globally, affected by rising sea levels and unsustainable farming practices.
Global Impact
The new wheat varieties have the potential to transform unproductive saline lands into productive agricultural plots, particularly in regions like Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. OlsAro’s innovations could significantly bolster global food security and add an extra cropping season for farmers in affected regions by enabling wheat cultivation in areas with high salinity.
Technological and Commercial Expansion
Enhanced Breeding Techniques
OlsAro has developed a platform that allows for the creation of new wheat varieties three times faster than traditional methods. This platform utilizes advanced AI and a proprietary collection of wheat with high genetic diversity, which serves as a basis for tailoring traits that can cope with extreme weather conditions, improve nitrogen efficiency, and enhance nutritional content.
Future Prospects and Market Expansion
With the new funding, OlsAro plans to expand its operations into other markets with similar salinity challenges, including Australia and India. The company also has commercial contracts and ongoing field trials in Pakistan, Kenya, Oman, and Nepal, positioning it as a key player in the global effort to create more resilient agricultural systems.
Investor Insights
Marika King, Head of PINC, praised OlsAro’s achievements, stating, “Their results are impressive. Food security matters to all of us, and the OlsAro team can speed up solutions for wheat in several areas with their platform, as well as other crops in the future.” She highlighted long-term scientific research, modern data handling, and AI as strengths that will drive the company’s future successes.
Elén Faxö, CEO of OlsAro, remarked on the impact of the investment: “With our technology backed by ten years of research, we’re now in a unique position to leverage advancements in AI and plant biotechnology to make a real impact on global food security. This funding will allow us to scale up our technological and commercial efforts.”
Image provided by PINC
