Vitropic, a CIRAD subsidiary and European laboratory of in vitro culture specialized in tropical plant propagation, has joined forces with La Compagnie Fruitière, the main fruit producer in Africa, in order to create the first industrial in vitro culture platform in West Africa. Based in Abidjan, this new platform is called Vitropic Africa and targets the market in the greater region, in all African countries, as well as internationally, with an initial target of 7 million plants produced per year.
Carolina Dawson of CIRAD and Jean-Marc Deboin of Vitropic at Fruit Logistica 2023
Vitroplants: health guarantees, reduction of pesticides and improved yields
“Vitropic Africa will prioritize the multiplication of banana, pineapple and plantain varieties,” explains Jean-Marc Deboin, director of Vitropic. “The use of in vitro plants in combination with fallow land can significantly reduce the use of pesticides and guarantee quality production and higher yields. It has been proven that the use of in vitro plants on healthy soil helps suppress nematicides and guarantees agronomic performance and yields. It also allows for a supply that is available all year round and in large quantities.”
“In terms of sanitary guarantees, the in vitro plants are free of any pathogen, which is essential to prevent the spread of emerging diseases in a context of increased circulation of plant material and climate change favorable to the emergence of new diseases,” explains Jean Colatrella, director of Vitropic Africa.
Vitropic Africa will also produce in vitro plants of various other species such as roots and tubers
By producing these plants, Vitropic Africa will contribute to the dissemination of planting material that meets the needs of producers and nurseries. Vitropic Africa will also be a key player in the development of all these sectors, by promoting and implementing concrete solutions for the development of a profitable and sustainable agriculture.
The new structure also aims to become a major player in R&D in Africa within the field of plant breeding and improvement. To achieve this, it will rely on close partnerships with the Ivorian research sector and that of other West African countries, CIRAD (International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development) and the production sector (Compagnie Fruitière).
For more information:
Jean-Marc Deboin
Vitropic Africa
vitropicafrica@vitropicafrica