Two new breeding specialists, Matsui and Nanto, have joined JVS Japan Vegetable Seeds, the joint venture established in 2017 by Nippon Norin Seed Co. Ltd, Kurume Vegetable Breeding Co. Ltd and Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
Nanto Seed Co. Ltd, a family business founded in 1947, specialises in the varietal selection of melon, watermelon, squash, onion, and cucurbit rootstocks. It has patented new hybrid seed selection and improvement techniques and has developed technologies and biotechnologies for developing products in anticipation of customers’ needs.
Matsui Seed Co. Ltd, a family business founded in 1952 and now led by the third generation, grows many outstanding melon and watermelon varieties, winners of various national awards.
“We are enthusiastic about this expansion and we are sure that Nanto and Matsui bring important new expertise to Japan Vegetable Seeds,” explains Hitoshi Kudo, General Manager AgriScience Division at Mitsui & Co. “and represent another step towards seed industry excellence. This is an extremely dynamic sector, so we have defined a medium-long term growth strategy to keep opening up new markets, accelerate innovation, develop products and share know-how through a common technological platform.”
