Super Crops Grown By Israeli Startup Group

By Sam Lewis

Kaiima is developing technology to accelerate natural processes, creating more resilient crops with higher yields in a world where many go hungry

A new company called Kaiima believes it has discovered a method to improve crop harvests simply by copying and quickening the natural occurring genetic process called genome doubling. Here, two species over time become one with a single genome, or genetic code, giving it the strongest features of each parent. Weaker genes are abandoned, leaving offspring with the hardiest genetic features.

In nature, this process of elimination and duplication takes thousands of years. Kaiima's CEO, Doron Gal claims his company has found the means to accelerate the genome doubling process and apply it to agriculture. “We found a new technology that lets us double the genome, get all the benefits of the stronger plant but maintaining the integrity of the DNA,” says Gal. “And when you do that, then all the good things fall into place — the plant maintains its fertility and full seed set and you have a healthy plant to work with.”

Kaiima’s main focus is in corn and wheat farming. Currently, Kaiima’s experimental efforts in those crops have given 15 to 50 percent increases in productions of those crops. “In any of these crops, a yield increase of just 10 percent is revolutionary,” says Gal. “The aim is to boost crop yields, speeding up by thousands of years the way plants naturally multiply their own DNA.” Gal mentions that scientists have been pursuing this endeavor for decades without success. “The results were not very effective because the artificial triggering process damaged the inherent DNA, the original plant DNA, and the result was plants without seeds, plants that may be bigger and stronger but without any yields and without genetic stability.”

Additionally, Kaiima — which translates to “sustainability” in Hebrew — focuses on sustainable means to feed a hungry world. The company has found that castor plants, while not the ideal source for feeding hungry people, serve two important functions. First, Kaiima uses castor plants, which Gal is calling “the most productive varieties in the world,” to create biofuel. Additionally, producing castor plants boosts the yield of other crops. “Castor is really good as a rotation crop with a deep and fast-developing root system that brings up nutrients other plants can't access,” Gal says. “When we grow corn or wheat after castor, the yield increases substantially.”

Ultimately, the company is becoming a trailblazer in the agriculture technology business. By creating more food sustainably, Kaiima is positioning itself to be one of the elite participants in the fight against global hunger. However, technology is a sensitive subject, especially in the realm of altering food products. The technology is in its early stages and could eventually find itself facing governing bodies with rigid restrictions. For the time being, it seems the potential for Kaiima is limitless. The company has not yet revealed details regarding how the technology works, but Gal is hoping the seeds of plants that have had their genome’s accelerated will be ready for sale in the next three years.

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