b'PARTNER CONTENTChilean seed industry presents its advantages and challenges to achieve the food security of the future.S eeds: the basis of food security. ThatInnovation and development applied to was the motto under which the thirdthe seed and agricultural sector not only version of the National Seed Congresshelps to increase yields and combat cli-of Chile was held, a space that gathers themate change, but also to tackle diseases, main stakeholders in the field in the coun- which are increasingly present in different try. After four years without meeting, thecountries. In this sense, Bernardo Pol-conference organized by the Chilean Seedlak, Multiplex Spa CEO and speaker at the Association (ANPROS A.G.) gathered moreevent, said that the healthiest crops start than 600 professionals, collaborators,with healthy seeds, and that pathogens government and agriculture and livestockthreaten to decrease food productivity service authorities, suppliers and acade- around the world on a daily basis. That is micians, among others. why, according to the expert, early preven-On this occasion, emphasis was placedtion is essential through the development on the importance of maintaining the po- of mass detection techniques, in order to sition that Chile has held, for many years,reduce risks and, in turn, avoid the dam-as the leading seed exporter in the south- chain, but also to maintain its nutritionalage caused by viruses and viroids, safe-ern hemisphere and on the task of provid- intake. The head of ANPROS also statedguarding Chiles phytosanitary heritage.ing food, ensuring quality and nutritionthat another major challenge for foodTo the challenges posed, ANPROS through seed and new varieties. All this,production is climate change. There areexecutive director, Mario Schindler, added with a focus on sustainability, innovationthose who still doubt, or at least do nota third threat: maintaining a modern and development. Likewise, the differentgive the sense of urgency it deserves, toregulatory framework, based on science, challenges that the seed sector will havethis reality that science warns us about,that can produce food security for the to face to achieve the food security of theSalazar warned, adding that workingcountry and allow the development of future were raised, from the exponentialwith new varieties facilitates the resilienceour exports. In this sense, he thanked growth of the population to the need forof the seed and, therefore, of the food inthe invaluable work carried out by the public policies that respond to the realthe face of catastrophes such as excessiveAgriculture and Livestock Service in the industry landscape. rain or drought. inspection and protection of the differ-The president of ANPROS, Jos Igna- Equally, the secretary general of theent regulations that frame the production cio Salazar, pointed out that one of theInternational Seed Federation (ISF) andof seeds and highlighted the permanent challenges that our country and the worldprominent speaker at the event, Michaelwork carried out together with the seed must face is the exponential growth of theKeller, pointed out that the seed sectorsector to streamline processes in matters population. By 2030 we will have two bil- has a critical role to play and that ourof import, export and many others. lion more people demanding food, so it ispath to sustainability and seed resilienceOn this point, the deputy and guest essential to focus on producing more withmust be based on efficiency and innova- speaker Benjamn Moreno, precursor of fewer resources, in order to guaranteetion, as the seed is always the first thingthe Bancada del Campo, a conglomer-food security for all, and the Chilean seedin the food chain. ate of deputies who came together with industry plays a fundamental role in this. Francisca Castillo, speaker and execu- the aim of giving representation to the Producing more with less is one of thetive director of NeoCrop Technologies,rural world, addressing agricultural issues bases of the Chilean seed industry, whichindicated that traditional breeding hasin Congress and advancing in the differ-is why ANPROS president stressed thebeen a great contribution and that theent mattersstated that public policies fundamental role that innovation andnew technologies associated with plantrelated to the seed sector have to be built development plays in achieving this goal,breeding are a modern tool, which allowshand in hand with the unions and that the through the production of new varieties,to complement the successes of traditionalState must contribute to the correct devel-which not only allow the supply chain tobreeding such as speed breeding, geneopment of the agricultural sector through be secured, but also to ensure the supplyediting and others. bills that promote and safeguard it.DECEMBER 2023SEEDWORLD.COM /97'