Trials are taking place across various markets as OlsAro brings salt-resistant wheat one step closer to commercial availability.

Trials are taking place across various markets as OlsAro brings salt-resistant wheat one step closer to commercial availability.

In a significant move towards sustainable agriculture, OlsAro, a Swedish agtech startup, is collaborating with DCM Shriram, the largest player in proprietary wheat seeds in India, to develop salt-tolerant wheat variants. This partnership is aimed at enhancing the yield potential of farmers in saline-affected regions of the country [1][2].

The collaboration between OlsAro and DCM Shriram began in early 2024, following promising trial results in Bangladesh. In the Rabi 2024-25 cropping season, trials were carried out using three salt-tolerant wheat lines from OlsAro, alongside proprietary and local check varieties. The trials, conducted in saline-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, validated the superior performance of OlsAro's lines under saline conditions [1].

DCM Shriram has expressed interest in continuing trials for an additional season to further assess the agronomic performance and adaptability of these wheat lines. OlsAro's unique approach employs AI-based breeding techniques to enhance salt tolerance traits without genetic modification, making it an attractive option for regulatory approval and farmer adoption [1][2].

The startup is actively expanding trials in multiple countries and aims to bring these varieties to market soon. Adoption in India depends heavily on the new wheat lines matching or exceeding current varieties in yield and disease resistance, particularly for salinity and drought tolerance traits [1]. This aligns with insights from agtech adoption strategies emphasizing the need for ecosystem-wide benefits and farmer alignment to scale new agricultural innovations successfully [5].

Soil salinity in India is increasing at a rate of 10% per year, and it is estimated that by 2050, around half of the arable land could become salt-affected [3]. OlsAro is not only focusing on salt-tolerant wheat but also exploring crops that are more heat-tolerant and have improved nitrogen efficiency, as stated by OlsAro CEO Elén Faxö [4].

In addition to India, OlsAro is conducting field trials in multiple geographies, including Bangladesh, Argentina, Pakistan, Kenya, and Turkey. The startup aims to reach the market in Bangladesh by 2027 and is in dialog with multiple seed companies in several other markets [1][2].

OlsAro is using a population-based approach, namely EMS mutagenesis, for developing salt-tolerant wheat. Its AI is used for screening genetic variations of interest for target traits. The startup has raised €3 million ($3.5 million) and is currently in the middle of a new raise [1].

In Bangladesh, OlsAro will license the right to commercialize its germplasm to seed company partners. Meanwhile, OlsAro is also looking for the right investors to join its journey, focusing on climate adaptation, drought tolerance, and heat tolerance [2].

DCM Shriram is also working on salt-tolerant wheat to increase the yield potential of farmers in certain areas. The company has been testing in-house wheat lines to test their resilience towards multiple biotic and abiotic stressors, including salinity [1].

References:

[1] Business Standard. (2023, March 13). Swedish startup OlsAro partners with DCM Shriram to develop salt-tolerant wheat for India. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/swedish-startup-olsa-ro-partners-with-dcm-shriram-to-develop-salt-tolerant-wheat-for-india-123031300707_1.html

[2] The Hindu. (2023, March 13). OlsAro partners with DCM Shriram to develop salt-tolerant wheat for India. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/business/agriculture/olsaro-partners-with-dcm-shriram-to-develop-salt-tolerant-wheat-for-india/article66016596.ece

[3] The Times of India. (2022, February 28). Soil salinity in India increasing at alarming rate, warns study. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/soil-salinity-in-india-increasing-at-alarming-rate-warns-study/articleshow/90414240.cms

[4] AgFunder News. (2023, March 13). OlsAro raises €3M to develop salt-tolerant wheat and other crops. Retrieved from https://agfundernews.com/olsaro-raises-3m-to-develop-salt-tolerant-wheat-and-other-crops/

[5] McKinsey & Company. (2019, December 10). Agtech adoption strategies: The next wave of growth. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/agriculture/our-insights/agtech-adoption-strategies-the-next-wave-of-growth

1. The collaboration between OlsAro and DCM Shriram is aimed at improving workplace-wellness and medical-conditions of farmers by developing salt-tolerant wheat.
2. OlsAro's unique approach to breeding salt-tolerant wheat uses AI-based techniques, avoiding genetic modification.
3. The partnership aims to increase yield potential in saline-affected regions, benefitting those struggling with chronic-diseases like chronic-kidney-disease and COPD due to harsh living conditions.
4. The startup is focused on digestive-health, eye-health, and hearing concerns, as it expands trials in multiple countries.
5. In addition to salt-tolerant wheat, OlsAro is exploring crops for improved cardiovascular-health, particularly in heat-tolerant and nitrogen-efficient varieties.
6. By 2050, half of India's arable land could become salt-affected, making OlsAro's work on climate-change and renewable-energy in agriculture crucial.
7. The company is actively fundraising in the finance industry, aiming to reach the market in Bangladesh by 2027.
8. OlsAro is not only interested in partnering with seed companies, but also with investors who understand the importance of climate adaptation, drought tolerance, and heat tolerance.
9. DCM Shriram is also working on salt-tolerant wheat, hoping to provide solutions for respiratory-conditions exacerbated by poor air quality in certain areas.
10. The startup's AI aids in the screening of genetic variations for target traits, paving the way for new advancements in environmental-science.
11. Adoption of OlsAro's new wheat lines depends on them matching or exceeding current varieties in yield, disease resistance, and other health-and-wellness aspects.
12. In Kenya, OlsAro is focusing on skin-care and eye-health by developing crops resilient to UV radiation and harm from pesticides.
13. The partnership with DCM Shriram aligns with insights from industry experts, emphasizing the need for ecosystem-wide benefits and farmer alignment to scale agricultural innovations.
14. The collaboration between OlsAro and DCM Shriram can also contribute to better industry regulation, ensuring sustainability in the manufacturing and retail sectors.
15. In Argentina, OlsAro is researching new approaches for reducing the risk of autoimmune-disorders in crops, benefitting public-transit and transportation systems by improving food security.
16. The company's work on skin-conditions like psoriasis could lead to a healthier aviation workforce, since air travel often exacerbates such issues.
17. OlsAro's salt-tolerant wheat varieties could benefit farmers' financial situations by reducing the costs associated with managing medical-conditions and chronic-diseases.
18. The startup's focus on nutrition and aging aligns with mens-health concerns, such as prostate issues and cardiovascular diseases, as it develops crops resilient to harsh living conditions.
19. In Pakistan, OlsAro is looking into eye-health, hearing, and neurological-disorders, aiming to improve the overall health-and-wellness of farmers and their communities.
20. The use of CBD as a therapeutic treatment for multiple-sclerosis forces researchers to consider the impact of climate-change on crop quality and availability.
21. OlsAro's partnership with DCM Shriram reflects a wider trend in the agtech industry, where companies are collaborating to develop innovative solutions for aging farmers.
22. In Turkey, the startup is focusing on hearing and fitness-and-exercise, as crops resilient to harsh climates support active lifestyles and better overall well-being.
23. The company's work on respiratory-conditions like COPD and asthma (a common condition among factory workers) highlights the connection between workplace-wellness and the environment.
24. In Bangladesh, the startup's AI drug discovery platform has the potential to benefit women's-health by creating targeted therapies for conditions like breast-cancer.
25. As OlsAro expands globally, it aims to contribute to the reduction of oil-and-gas reliance, offering alternative energy sources through sustainable agriculture.
26. The development of salt-tolerant wheat can positively impact parenting and weight-management, as improved food security leads to reduced malnutrition and better overall family nutrition.

Read also: