FuturaGene launches 4 plant field trials in China to couple desert reversal with biopower and biofuels
12 August 2012
FuturaGene, a company focused on enhancement of yield and sustainability of woody crops for plantation forestry, biopower and biofuel markets, has launched four field trials for selection and improvement of plant species in Gansu province, in northwestern China. The trials will evaluate the potential of woody crops and certain shrub varieties to combat desertification, enable soil regeneration and produce economic offtake for biopower and liquid biofuels.
Two of the trials comprise different species of native woody shrubs in collaboration with Gansu Desert Control Research Institute (GDC) and the Jingtai Forestry Bureau.
One of these trials is both irrigated and intercropped with cash crops, to bring immediate benefit to local farmers. Two additional trials consist of several drought tolerant tree species suitable for short rotation coppicing. These trials represent the start of a 4-year long project to evaluate the potential of the plants to provide ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, desert reversal, soil restoration), as well as socio-economic benefits such as intercropping and bioenergy offtake.
Varieties selected for their potential from these trials will be improved by breeding and advanced biotechnology.
Major goals of this desert control campaign are to stimulate the active participation of the farmers through bringing them and their families direct economic benefits; to provide training in advanced plantation management techniques; and to find suitable plant species for different industrial applications in the area.
Upon successful completion of the project, FuturaGene intends to scale up its activities in Gansu and replicate the project in similar environments around the world, providing solutions for ecosystem restoration and regeneration, energy security and rural development in regions affected by desertification and soil degradation.
FuturaGene, with facilities in Brazil, China and Israel, focuses its crop development through two main technology platforms: yield and processability enhancement—driving gains in yield during crop growth and greater processability of crop, post-harvest; and yield protection to protect strategic crops from emerging threats caused by changing climate and diminishing resources and to enable marginal land usage.
FuturaGene’s key crops are eucalyptus and poplar and its most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable industrial forestry.
FuturaGene has fully integrated capabilities from gene sourcing and discovery, through development and in-house regulatory capability, large scale field trial capacity to market channels and captive off-take.
FuturaGene is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano Pulp and Paper, a leading integrated forestry, pulp, paper and renewable energy company in Brazil.
Wasn't this tried in Israel during the last 10 to 15 years? If successful, somebody would try to reverse the current worldwide increasing desertification process.
Wouldn't it be wiser to work on the causes for the current climate change and increasing desertification?
We seem to be doing like the health industries, i.e. trying (for very high profits) to cure the 1001 diseases that we have created instead of correcting the causes. Of course, prevention would reduce the need for drugs and expensive health care and it would not be in their interest.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 August 2012 at 10:15 AM