France, June 8 -- The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending French seed producer Limagrain €300?million to accelerate the development of more productive and resilient crops. The loan represents one of the EIB's largest financing operations in the agricultural sector in Europe.The goal is to reinforce Limagrain's research and development programme led by the company's subsidiary Vilmorin & Cie. The R&D activities aim to develop innovative plant genetics to address major agricultural and food challenges.Research efforts will focus on improving the agronomic performance of crops - yield, resistance to diseases and pests, adaptation to climates and regions, drought tolerance and optimisation of nutrient use - as well as their nutritio...