Givat Chen, Israel
June 28, 2024
BetterSeeds is thrilled to announce that PeaMAX, the company's innovative gene-edited cowpea, has been granted approval for commercialization in the United States by the USDA. This marks a historic moment, as PeaMAX is not only a game-changer for American agriculture but also the world's first-ever gene-edited cowpea.
Cowpea, a high-protein legume lauded for its drought and heat tolerance, has traditionally faced limitations for large-scale production. Its long growing season and unsuitability for mechanized harvesting have hindered its widespread adoption. PeaMAX addresses these challenges head-on. Through targeted gene editing, BetterSeeds has optimized PeaMAX for mechanized harvesting using existing soybean growing machinery. Additionally, the improved variety boasts a shortened growing season, making it ideal for summer cultivation by soybean growers in the USA, Brazil, and Argentina.
This USDA approval marks a significant milestone for PeaMAX and paves the way for its introduction to the American market. BetterSeeds believes PeaMAX represents the next generation of cowpea, empowering soybean growers with a high-profit legume option for seasons where traditional soybean cultivation faces challenges due to climate change.
Key benefits of PeaMAX:
- Suitable for mechanized harvesting: Integrates seamlessly with existing soybean harvesting equipment.
- Shorter growing season: Ideal for summer planting in key soybean growing regions.
- High protein content: Provides a valuable source of plant-based protein.
- Drought and heat tolerant: Thrives in challenging climates.
BetterSeeds is confident that PeaMAX will empower farmers and revolutionize cowpea production. The company looks forward to bringing this innovative new option to soybean growers across the USA.
About BetterSeeds
BetterSeeds is a revolutionary Agtech company pioneering the development of next-generation crops through a groundbreaking combination of technologies. While current precision technologies can't address the fundamental challenges of climate change and reducing agriculture's carbon footprint, BetterSeeds tackles these critical issues head-on with EDGE, its proprietary molecular CRISPR delivery platform. This innovative platform is intertwined with a unique, AI-powered genome editing tool and unique climate resilience traits. Together, these solutions unlock the true potential of CRISPR technology, allowing BetterSeeds to design crops with built-in climate resiliency empowering farmers with the solutions they need to adopt sustainable practices, protect the global food supply, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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