CRISPR plant breeding market projected to increase at a rate of 13.2% by the year 2034
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, a revolutionary technology is making waves – CRISPR. This gene-editing tool is transforming the landscape of crop development, promising solutions to challenges like climate-induced weather variability, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
The global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by the future, putting immense pressure on the agriculture sector to meet the growing food demand. To address this need, companies are increasingly turning to CRISPR technology for its potential to develop high-yield, resilient crops.
One such company is Bayer AG, which is commercializing gene-edited mustard greens under the Conscious Foods brand, designed for better flavor. Bayer is not alone in this endeavour. KWS, a seed breeding specialist, has signed a global license agreement with Shandong Shunfeng Biotechnology to use genome editing applications including CRISPR for crop breeding worldwide. KWS's efforts are focused on developing mildew-resistant barley and sugar beets with lower water needs.
Corteva, another major player, is expanding its gene-editing pipeline, focusing on yield, sustainability, and drought tolerance in key crops like soybeans and canola. The company has even launched a waxy corn variety, developed through CRISPR-Cas9, for improved starch quality.
Syngenta, too, is leveraging AI and predictive breeding to identify genetic editing targets faster. The company is integrating CRISPR into its R&D pipeline, focusing on enhancing yield, disease resistance, and nutritional quality in staple crops.
The market for plant breeding and CRISPR technology is projected to reach USD 46.6 billion by 2034, with agriculture dominating the market in 2024 with a 59.4% share. Interestingly, the Asia-Pacific region held a 47.8% share in the market in the same year.
The market's growth is primarily driven by the need for high-yield, resilient crops to meet growing food demand. Companies are also exploring editing for quality traits like improved taste and shelf life in produce. For instance, Limagrain is researching CRISPR for disease resistance in vegetables and cereals, as well as for editing genes for resistance to viruses and fungi.
However, regulatory updates play a crucial role in the adoption of CRISPR technology. In a significant move, India's regulatory update exempts genome-edited plants without foreign genes from biosafety assessments, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of the technology.
Bayer AG is also applying CRISPR to develop crops with improved nitrogen use efficiency and disease resistance. KWS has commercially launched a non-browning, CRISPR-edited lettuce variety in the U.S. Syngenta is integrating CRISPR into its R&D pipeline for similar purposes.
In conclusion, the transformative potential of CRISPR technology is driving the growth of the plant breeding market. As companies continue to innovate and regulatory frameworks evolve, we can expect to see more CRISPR-edited crops gracing our tables in the future.
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