b'INTERNATIONAL NEWSGLOBAL SEED WATCHAUSTRALIA GRAIN GROWERS GET FUNDING BOOST, SMALL FARMS GROW MOST BEANS IN BRAZIL, AND INDIA BUILDING FIVE ADVANCED SEED BREEDING CENTRES.STATUS AUSTRALIA STATUS BRAZILSouth Australian grain growers will gain from a major researchIn Brazil, most bean producers work on farms smaller than five boost thanks to funding from the Grains Research and Developmenthectares, accounting for about 97% of grain-producing units across Corporation (GRDC) and the South Australian Grain Industry533,500 rural properties. However, a small number of large planta-Trust (SAGIT). This year, SAGIT is investing $2.36 million, withtions generate the majority of the countrys bean output, according contributions from partnersincluding over $400,000 fromto research by Embrapa Arroz e Feijo (GO).GRDCbringing the total to $3.12 million. The study examined the six leading bean-producing statesGRDCs co-investment will support projects to develop newParan, Minas Gerais, Gois, So Paulo, Mato Grosso, and Bahia markets for noodle wheat, improve frost risk management, provide and classified bean crops by size: small (5 ha), medium (550 updated gross margin and risk data, and explore lentil potential.ha), and large (50 ha). Researchers noted that crop size refers to These include efforts to establish a high-value hard noodle wheatthe area under cultivation, which may differ from the total size of market in Asia, update the SA Farm Gross Margin/Risk Guidethe property.for 20262028, evaluate herbicide safety and lentil suitability inWhile small-scale crops are most numerous, about 3,000 large cropping systems, and test innovative frost mitigation strategiesplantationsjust 0.5% of total farmsproduce over 1.2 million for lentils. tons of beans, representing roughly 75% of Brazils total output. Of The expanded funding follows a challenging year for SAGIT,this production, 87% enters the market, while around 13% is con-with the 2024 drought reducing harvests and income. These projectssumed directly by farms. Small-scale producers consume a higher aim to deliver practical benefits for growers by driving innovation,share of coloured beans (59%) compared to black beans (38%).enhancing productivity, and creating new market opportunitiesBrazil has generally met domestic bean demand, producing across South Australia. 2.53.4 million tons annually over the past decade. Imports remain 38ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | NOVEMBER 2025'