Once upon a time, in a land far away, the global leader in seed potatoes, HZPC from Friesland, embarked on an extraordinary journey to introduce its top-notch potato varieties to the vibrant Indian market.
In the annals of late 2007, Gerard Backx and his esteemed colleagues at HZPC set their sights on India as a promising frontier for their exceptional potato varieties. Despite occasional visits, India had never received structural attention from HZPC. This changed when an employee from the Indian conglomerate Mahindra reached out to Backx, expressing interest in visiting their headquarters in Joure, Netherlands. Curious about Mahindra’s interest in seed potatoes, Backx agreed to the meeting.
The initial meeting almost went awry when Mahindra’s representative arrived late due to a mix-up with the trains. However, once they began talking, it became clear that Mahindra wanted to expand its agro-business and introduce HZPC’s potato varieties in India. This led to a cooperation agreement in 2008, with Mahindra representing HZPC in India.
Gerard Backx, a seasoned navigator of new ventures knew that the trajectory of establishing operations typically spanned around a decade, but in the Indian landscape, the journey was lengthier. Exporting seed potatoes directly to India posed challenges, prompting HZPC to dispatch test tubes containing miniature potato plants for stringent evaluation and quarantine processes. Navigating bureaucratic intricacies and contending with local breeding institutes, the arduous path eventually saw six HZPC varieties being officially registered in India.
In a momentous turn of events in 2014, HZPC and Mahindra forged a groundbreaking alliance, birthing Mahindra HZPC to cultivate and trade indigenous Indian potato varieties. This collaborative venture fostered a network of adept growers and gradually introduced HZPC’s esteemed varieties into the Indian market. With an ambitious multiplication rate and a strategic aim to achieve an annual turnover of 20,000 tons of seed potatoes within five years, the partnership set its sights on revolutionizing the potato industry in India.
The coveted HZPC potato varieties were earmarked for esteemed placement in the processing industry and supermarkets across India. Esteemed manufacturers like Lays eagerly embraced these high-quality varieties, foreseeing enhanced product quality and profitability. Catering to the discerning middle class and elite through supermarkets, HZPC’s superior-tasting and visually appealing varieties aimed to captivate the hearts and taste buds of Indian consumers.
Maintaining a harmonious balance of finances, human resource policies, technological advancements, and potato varieties, HZPC held a 40% stake in Mahindra HZPC. United in purpose and spirit, the enduring partnership between HZPC and Mahindra transcended commercial interests, as both entities collaborated fervently to inspire and empower Indian farmers to embrace and cultivate HZPC’s exceptional potato varieties.
Fast forward to present, Mahindra HZPC has successfully introduced renowned varieties such as Colomba, Tauras, Memphis, and more in key potato-producing states like Gujarat & Punjab. These varieties have garnered significant favour among farmers, excelling in all aspects of performance & quality.
And thus, the tale of collaborative success between HZPC and Mahindra in India continues to inspire and illuminate the realm of agricultural innovation and international partnerships.
All varieties are really good – great benefit to Indian farmers.