CIRAD's operations often result in inventions. To promote and market some of them, CIRAD has set up two subsidiaries, in which it is the majority shareholder.
Since 1986, Vitropic SA has been producing and distributing indexed, disease-free banana and pineapple in vitro plantlets. In association with its scientific partners—CIRAD, the IRD, INRA and plant protection services—, Vitropic SA distributes varieties resulting from an ongoing selection and assessment programme. It has developed a nematode-resistant Cavendish banana variety that makes use of the plant's natural properties.
Its in vitro plantlets offer growers the best sanitary guarantees on a global level.
The firm also provides technical support and appraisal services for the design, supply and management of industrial-scale nurseries.
For more than 60 years, CIRAD has been conducting oil palm improvement operations with an international network of partners. These operations have enabled the creation of exceptionally high quality planting material. To capitalize on this research, CIRAD set up a subsidiary called PalmElit in 2009, a private firm (SAS), in association with Sofiproteol, the financial arm of the Fédération française des producteurs d’oléagineux et de protéagineux.
PalmElit has taken over applied research, licence management and commercial relations operations for the production and distribution of oil palm planting material.
To find out more about oil palm genetic improvement and CIRAD® oil palm seed production at PalmElit in Benin, with its partner INRAB, watch this video: https://youtu.be/4RZBs0XlPps