b'Chile provides a competitive advantage like no one else. Its a beautiful country where you can find different geographic areas to suit different growing conditions.Cristina AlucemaChile about 30 years ago. Chile signed itsAs the Chilean seed sector continuesWe are committed to being an first trade agreement with a G7 economyto come into its own, Alucema expects itactive actor that contributes, encourages 26 years ago, with Canada playing a piv- to evolve still further.and promotes best practices to ensure otal role in the collaboration. Today, nearlyI do believe that the Chilean marketwe grow seed efficiently using fewer all Canadian seed companies rely on Chileis starting to consolidate and being seenresources. for contra-season breeder nursery work,as a serious market. I see the regulatoryAt a regulatory level, the govern-parent line production, and commercialbody has much more understanding ofment is also taking a stronger position hybrid production.small production. I see that the growerson establishing and enforcing improved Today, however, its not only aboutare becoming much more efficient andsustainability. For example, the Extended canola, says Alucema. Its about soy- professional in what they do, and they areProducer Responsibility (REP) Law that beans, oats and wheat, you name it, wechanging their attitudes about farming.came into force last March establishes are growing to better serve our markets. Working with growers who have beenthat producers, regardless of the industry And Canada certainly isnt the onlywith us for probably 10 years or maybeor sector, are responsible for giving value country that looks to Chile for seed.longer, you see them understanding thatto the entire cycle of use of containers Chile meets demand from Europe, Souththere are good years, there are bad years,and packaging. Africa, Central America, Australia andbut you stay in making it work. I see theyCertainly, challenges exist. Top of that other parts of South America. are understanding that this is businesslist is land availability, as permanent, com-Customers in general have beenyou start to commit to and that makes apetitive, high-value crops take land out of struggling with some natural challengesbusiness that is much more stable. field-crop production. Water availability so they are looking for new solutions.Technology, which is being increas- is also challenging in some years and Customers like Australia are looking toingly welcomed in Chile, is a big part ofregions, though varies from year to year. explore markets and build partnershipsthe countrys ability to meet contra-sea- Still, Alucema is confident in Chiles ability in regions that might be geographicallyson needs. to meet growing demand. similar, offer strong phytosanitary, andAgriculture is one of the areas thatContra-season seed production is a can coordinate timely transit times. Iyou can see and appreciate how technol- key strategic piece of the supply chain never imagined that I would be involvedogy is affecting every single stage of thefor the North American canola industry, in this industry and that it would open mywhole process. You see one season a cropshe said. Most Canadian companies rely world this big. seeded with one machine and the nexton Chiles contra-season breeder nursery season that machine is already replacedwork, parent line production and com-Whats next for Chile?with something better. Theres camerasmercial hybrid production. Were focused Alucema says the future looks bright forand GPS. We recently had some floodingon meeting that demand today and in the the Chilean seed sector.but we needed to apply some products,future too.I see the demand for contra-seasonso we just went with drones and appliedThe one thing shes very sure of? continuing to increase as a result ofthose products. Were using apps nowTheres a lot more to learn in an industry annual production challenges in theto provide on-time live information tothat is constantly changing. Northern Hemisphere, pressure tocustomers so they can see exactly howI cant even think of one season that accelerate new product launches, andthe crop is growing right at that moment. similar to another. There is always some-the development of new technologiesTechnology is so important. Were con- thing new, always a new challenge, always like gene editing, she says. I believestantly finding ways to be more efficientsomething that you have to deal with. If there is room to increase contra-seasonand keeping it cost effective for the cus- you take into consideration that were on production. There are professional com- tomers but at the same time keeping thethe other side of the world from our main panies like HyTech Production focusedquality of the seed our main goal.markets, then add to that the geography, on increasing capacity; the regulatoryThe push towards sustainability will beadd to that our earthquakes, and then, of system managed by SAG is functioninganother key driver of change. Alucemacourse, weve had the disruptions of the well; and - most importantly - there issays HyTech specifically but also thepandemic and so on and so on. But were land available which meets the criteria forlarger seed sector are stepping towardsin Chile, we like challenges. Were ready expansion. producing more with less impact.for whatever comes next.SW18/ SEEDWORLD.COMLATAM'