Beijing, China
April 22, 2013
Agria Corporation today announced that it recently established a new research and development center in Shenzhen, China to support the Company's growing operations in China and in other growth markets.
The new R&D facility is designed to develop advanced planting and seed cultivation technology for new strains of forage seeds, corn seeds and vegetable seeds. Additionally, this facility has resulted in the formation of cooperation agreements between Agria and several domestic and foreign research institutes and universities to provide reliable, ongoing technical support for the rapid development of Agria's seeds business in the region.
Mr. Alan Lai, Agria's Executive Chairman of the Board, commented, "Establishing an R&D center in China is of strategic importance to Agria as it represents a very large market opportunity for our company. Our new state-of-the-art facility will develop innovative planting and cultivation technologies to ensure Agria produces high quality seed products in China. By leveraging our advanced agricultural industry experience, experienced management and strong research capability, we intend to advance our seed technology standards to a world class level allowing us to further expand our market position in China and other growth markets."
Agria Corporation (NYSE: GRO) is an international agricultural company with operations in China, South America, New Zealand and Australia. Agria operates three principal business lines: China seeds, international seeds and agriservices. In China, Agria engages in research and development, production and sale of seed products, including proprietary field corn seeds, edible corn seeds, vegetable seeds, grass seeds and forage. Agria owns through Agria Asia a 50.22% equity interest in PGG Wrightson Limited, New Zealand's largest forage and agricultural services company. For more information about PGG Wrightson Limited, please visit www.pggwrightson.co.nz. For more information about Agria Corporation, please visit www.agriacorp.com.