b'Currently, Uruguay is home to approximately 100,000 seed- invested into research and development by seed companies and producing acres, most of which are used for contra-season pro- plant breeding organizations. duction for northern hemisphere seed companies. According toAccording to INASE, about 50% of all of Uruguays agricul-INASE, Uruguay produced 103,486 total tonnes of seed in 2019,tural seed (excluding forages) produced and nearly 90% of its of which approximately 23% was forage and 77% was all otherforage seeds produced were certified in both 2020 and 2021, agricultural seed. The total produced rose to 111,063.9 tonnes inwith an increase year over year. 2020.Uruguays seed industry is well positioned for the future.3) Regulatory body & key stakeholders: According to JRGs report, Uruguays competitive position isMost countries coordinate and direct their seed systems strengthened by its location for contra-season production (andthrough a single regulatory body, either governmental or, as is ability to learn from counties like Argentina and Chile that arethe case in Uruguay, New Zealand and the Netherlands, industry already successful in this area), the widespread acceptance ofled. In the US, seed certification is handled by each state, with certified seed in Uruguay (with associated revenues furtheringthe Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) the sector), and the fact that a single organizationINASEhasproviding guidance. proven itself adept at informing and representing the sectors various stakeholders.In Uruguay, there are four key stakeholder agencies:Uruguay is often perceived by businesses as a gateway toThe Uruguayan Plant Breeders Association (URUPOV): is South America. Due to the country\'s inherent conditions relatedmade up of leading companies and institutions that specialize to safety, transparency, and stability, as well as its regulatoryin the research, development, production, and sale of new plant environment, foreign companies select Uruguay as a preferredvarieties. The Associations primary objective is to protect plant location to test, expand, and market their products, saysbreeders\' rights in order to support the creation of new varieties Victoria Stewart, operations manager with the Uruguayan Plantand promote the agriculture sectors sustainable growth. The Breeders Association (URUPOV). Associations key role is to promote plant breeding by providing The JRG report identified several key differentiating factorsservices that assure effective enforcement and recognition to between seed systems in various regions.PBRs through fair royalty collection mechanisms. The Seed Producers Association (ANAPROSE): promotes 1) Production oriented towards domestic versus exports and facilitates imports that support the growth and export markets:development of members activities, both public and private. Of the six countries included in the JRG report, the NetherlandsThe Uruguayan Chamber of Seeds (CUS): promotes the use is the biggest exporter of seed by percentage, with 80% ofof high-quality seeds and the integration of advanced technol-its seed production destined for external markets. Canadaogy into seed production, works to strengthen and promote exported the least, at just 10% of its total seed volume. trade exchanges with a goal of accessing new markets, and According to INASE, Uruguay in 2021 exported about 10% ofadvocates for members interests, liaising with both public and its non-forage and 50% of its forage seed. This measured justprivate entities to support industry growth. over 6,000 tonnes of non-forage and 13,057 tonnes of forageINASE exists to promote the development of Uruguays seed seeds, totalling an estimated value of at least $25M US. The pri- sector. It is funded by fee-for-service and an annual contribution mary crop types exported included soybean, rice and ryegrass.by government. INASEs primary tasks include variety testing, According to ISF, Uruguay imported 7,613 more tonnes of non- variety listing, certification of acres and quality assurance inspec-forage seed than it exported in 2021. Meanwhile, it exportedtion and accreditation audits. It conducts the DUS tests required 10,870 more tonnes of forage seed than it imported.for a new variety to be listed in the national seed catalogue. It also oversees field trial performance testing as an informational 2) Industry uptake of certified seed:service for farmers.Use of certified seed varies globally. Of the six countries com- Daniel Bayce, executive director of INASE says: "We advo-pared by the JRG report, the highest rate of certified seed usecate for the production and utilization of high-quality seeds. By was in the Netherlands, the UK and Uruguay, mostly becausesetting forth production and marketing standards and ensuring farmers understand and recognize the value of certified seedstheir adherence, we aim to guarantee access to superior materi-within their farming systems. Higher rates of certified seed useals. We are dedicated to ensuring the smooth operation of seed are good for a countrys seed industry, since it typically meansbusinesses, producers, and users. Uruguay\'s dedication to qual-higher revenues for seed companies and, therefore, more dollarsity, innovation, and robust regulation ensures that its seed sector LATAMSEEDWORLD.COM /13'