In a significant step toward advancing tomato cultivation in India, Somani Kanak Seedz Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, for the licensing of Pusa TOLCV Tomato Hybrid 8

This advanced hybrid has been developed by Dr. Zakir Hussain, Principal Scientist, Vegetable Science, IARI and Dr. P.K. Singh, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection, NBPGR.

The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Kamal Somani, Managing Director of Somani Kanak Seedz Pvt Ltd; Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, IARI; Dr. Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Joint Director (Research), IARI and Dr. Akriti Sharma, In-charge, ZTM & BPD Unit, IARI.

The Pusa TOLCV Hybrid 8 variety offers strong resistance to Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (TOLCV), a major challenge in tomato cultivation across India and promises higher yield potential and improved fruit quality.

During his visit, Mr. Kamal Somani also visited the Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology (CPCT) fields, where he reviewed IARI’s latest advancements in tomato breeding. This collaboration marks a significant step toward advancing agricultural innovation.