Potato breeder combines forces with grower, packer to speed variety development

Potato breeding technology company Ohalo is partnering with grower, packer and shipper Allied Potato Inc. to accelerate the development and commercialization of Ohalo’s Boosted potato varieties.

Allied Potato will contribute field-testing capabilities, agronomic insights and market expertise to help deliver higher yields, enhanced disease resistance and true seed technology to growers worldwide, according to a post on Ohalo’s LinkedIn page.

“With more than 25 years in the international potato industry, I’ve long awaited a breakthrough in potato breeding like the one we are now experiencing with Ohalo,” Allied Potato CEO Jason Davenport said in the post. “Their work and vision will revolutionize potato breeding, bringing the next generation of high-yielding sustainable crops to an industry that very much needs innovation and changes from an industry that has grown some varieties for 50 plus years or longer.

“We urgently need to reduce crop inputs and boost productivity, creating opportunities for growers and end users around the world. I’m truly excited to partner with Ohalo and to play a role in driving the lasting changes needed to help feed a growing global population.”

Ohalo’s proprietary technology speeds new variety development by enabling each parent plant to pass its entire genome to its offspring, rather than a random half, according to the company. This creates a more predictable path to varieties that inherit the best traits from both parent plants.

Ohalo’s Boosted varieties maximize output per acre, reduce reliance on chemical inputs and enable a seed-based planting system that simplifies logistics, reduces the risk of seed-borne diseases and improves sustainability, according to the company.

“Potatoes feed billions of people, but the genetics haven’t meaningfully improved in decades,” Ohalo CEO Dave Friedberg said. “Boosted Breeding changes that. Partnering with Allied Potato lets us bring these varieties to growers at scale.”

Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources.Founded in 2007, Allied Potato specializes in the production, packing and export of high-quality chipping, seed, frozen potatoes and table potatoes, with operations across California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Colorado.