In the local market, where high-quality, clean seeds are hard to come by, GreenLab carves a niche for itself. Traditional avenues for procuring these seeds are virtually non-existent in Panama’s commercial sphere, leaving a void that the firm is now filling with aplomb. Its work promises to reshape Panama’s agricultural and forestry landscape, providing clean strains free from viruses, bacteria, or nematodes.
“We have a responsibility to protect biodiversity while meeting the needs of industries. We are integrating this philosophy into everything we do, offering innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy,” says Carlos Andrés Castro Mejía, sub-director general, GreenLab Biotechnology.
At the heart of GreenLab’s modus operandi is its ground-breaking plant production technology, InEx. This revolutionary approach involves cultivating plant cells or tissues under sterile, controlled conditions and presents numerous advantages over traditional horticulture methods. Consequently, production rates are significantly increased while the product’s quality remains uncompromised.
InEx addresses the urgent issue of biodiversity loss and offers a means for propagating endangered species and bolstering conservation efforts. It allows for developing specialized plant varieties that cater to specific industrial needs, creating mutually beneficial scenarios for the environment and the economy. This introduces an intermediate stage between in vitro and ex vitro, simplifying the plant export process and facilitating a competitive edge in the global plant export market.
An example of this is its innovative forays into ornamental plants with ‘Jardinisimo.’ This novel online concept brings the convenience of Amazon to plant lovers.
GreenLab’s services extend beyond seed provision and plant delivery. Its micropropagation and molecular analysis expertise enable it to identify and work with different genotypes within a plant. This service is particularly beneficial for clients with unique plant strains. Following a dedicated research and development process, GreenLab can produce many seedlings from a client’s specific genetic material, maintaining their proprietary rights throughout.
The tangible impact of GreenLab’s commitment to sustainable plant production is visible in its high-profile collaborations. It is helping major mining companies like Minera Panama with substantial reforestation efforts, supplying native plants on a large scale to restore lands affected by mining. Additionally, the lab is deeply involved in enhancing the biovar of coffee, a significant contributor to Panama’s economy. It also plays a crucial role in producing clean seedlings for staple tuber crops like cassava and potato, addressing a vital need in Panama’s food production chain.
We have a responsibility to protect biodiversity while meeting the needs of industries. We are integrating this philosophy into everything we do, offering innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy
Moving ahead, GreenLab has ambitious plans. In the coming year, it intends to export plants to the U.S., Mexico, Peru, Chile, and the European Union. With a capacity to produce an impressive seven million plants annually, it anticipates selling two million plants within Panama, with the remaining five million distributed in international markets.
GreenLab Biotechnology is more than a lab; it’s a catalyst for change. It embodies a vision of sustainable growth, intertwining the threads of innovation, environmental responsibility, and economic advancement. In Panama and beyond, GreenLab is sowing the seeds of a greener, more fruitful future, one plant at a time.
