Solynta wins 2025 Seed World Global Innovation Showdown for hybrid true potato seeds

NETHERLANDS – Solynta has been named the 2025 winner of the Seed World Global Innovation Showdown, a competitive platform that spotlights major advances in the seed industry.

The Dutch company earned the top spot for its work on hybrid true potato seeds (TPS), which offer farmers disease-free, lightweight, and more reliable planting materials than traditional tubers.

“We’re not just improving a crop, we’re creating the foundation for a new way of growing potatoes,” said Charles Miller, Solynta’s Director of Strategic Alliances and Development. “This award validates years of hard work from our team and partners around the world.”

The Seed World Global Innovation Showdown recognizes ideas that are original, scalable, and ready for real-world use. With more than a billion people depending on potatoes as a food source, Solynta’s approach meets both local and global needs.

Unlike tubers, which are bulky and vulnerable to disease, hybrid TPS are clean at the point of delivery and easy to transport, cutting logistics costs by up to 99 percent.

Peter Poortinga, Solynta’s CEO, emphasized that the seeds are not just for large farms. “We are introducing these true potato seed varieties to farmers around the globe; to improve their success by reducing the need for chemicals, stabilizing and increasing their yield, and improving their overall profitability,” he said.

From research to real-world impact

This recognition comes at a time when Solynta is shifting from research to commercial production. With trials already under way across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the company has entered the next phase of its work.

“After 18 years of focused R&D, we’re entering the commercial phase,” said Miller. “We’re ready to deliver real value to farmers, seed producers, and food systems around the world.”

Solynta’s partnerships in Kenya and India, developed in collaboration with Bayer, are already showing results. “In collaboration with Solynta, we are implementing a multi-step approach in Kenya and India to support the adoption of true potato seeds (TPS),” said VK Kishore, Vice President at Bayer Crop Science.

“This strategy focuses on improving access, providing targeted agronomic education, and offering localized support.”

Mark Hoogendoorn, Solynta’s Sales Lead, said the company relies on local distributors to connect with farmers and ensure success. “Once growers experience how straightforward it is to achieve a strong yield from true potato seeds, they quickly recognize the potential of this innovative approach,” he said.

Financial planning has also evolved to support this global push. “Today, we see the market demand and interest increasing for true potato seeds,” said Hein Kruyt, co-founder and CFO at Solynta. “This requires scaling up our production as well as our workforce.”

With its win at the Seed World Global Innovation Showdown, Solynta is gaining the global attention it needs to expand access to this new way of growing potatoes.

As food systems face rising pressure from climate and supply chain disruptions, the company’s clean, scalable solution arrives at a critical time.

“The future of potatoes starts now,” said Miller.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.