(Yicai) May 6 -- DBN Group’s genetically modified soybean seed, which is engineered to be both insect resistant and herbicide tolerant, has been granted a planting license in Brazil, the biggest soybean producer in South America, marking a key step for the Chinese agri-tech firm’s expansion into the region. 

DBN’s self-developed GM soybean variety DBN9004 × DBN8002, which resists both pests and herbicides, passed a safety review by Brazil’s National Biosafety Technical Commission on April 30, and has now been given the greenlight for planting in the country, the Beijing-based firm said yesterday.

DBN9004 is engineered to resist herbicides, while DBN8002 protects against more than 10 types of pests, said the company, which is engaged in seed, animal feed, hog breeding and animal vaccine production. The combined strain DBN9004 × DBN8002 combines the benefits of both.

The two varieties had previously been approved separately for planting in Brazil in 2023 and 2024 respectively, DBN said. But by getting the nod for the combined variety, DBN is now able to offer its Brazilian partners and soybean farmers a more competitive product with enhanced traits and technical support. 

DBN9004 × DBN8002 has already received planting approval in Argentina and Uruguay, with Argentina giving the greenlight in 2023 and Uruguay earlier this year, DBN said.

GM soybeans with strong pest resistance and herbicide tolerance help reduce the use of pesticides, lower labor requirements during planting and boost crop yield and quality, all of which can boost the profits of soybean farmers. 

The firm’s self-developed GM soybean seed DBN9004 and the soybeans grown from DBN8002 were granted biosafety import approvals by the Chinese government earlier. However, seed sales only accounted for 4.9 percent of the company’s total revenue in 2024 at CNY1.4 billion (USD197 million), according to its annual report.

DBN’s share price [SHE:002385] closed up 0.9 percent at CNY4.12 (USD0.57) today.

Editor: Kim Taylor