12 / SEEDWORLD.COM INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2026 SW: What made this the right time for you to step into the role of president of ISF? Basso: Being active in associations has always had real value. For medium-sized and smaller companies, that value can be even greater because it broadens your perspective and shows that many of the biggest challenges in our sector cannot be solved alone. My journey started at the national level, where I served as president of Argentine Seed Association (ASA) during a very demanding period, especially during and after the pan demic. That continued at the regional level through the Seed Associations of the Americas (SAA), and over time it naturally led to the international stage. This is not about chance. It is the result of a long process built through work, learning and commitment to the sector. SW: As you begin your term, what are your top priorities for ISF over the next two years? Basso: The world is asking a lot of agriculture today. We are facing a more complex geopolitical environment, climate change and growing pressure to produce more and better to meet demand for food and energy. My priority is for ISF to stay focused on results. We have built important bridges, and now the challenge is to turn that work into real impact while strengthening collaboration across the value chain. The seed is at the beginning of everything. If agriculture is going to be more resilient, productive and efficient, we need innovation, supportive policies and a global seed movement that works well. SW: You have spoken about innovation, including breeding tools and artificial intelligence. Where do you see these tools making the biggest difference? Basso: The biggest impact is speed. These tools only matter if they help us respond to growers’ needs faster and better. Innovation should help us move with more precision and bring better solutions to the field sooner. SW: From your experience in South America, how does Latin America contribute to the global seed sector? Basso: Latin America is much more than a major producer of food and energy. It is also a region with strong capabilities in seed development and production, supported by diverse envi ronments and strong technical expertise. Its strategic importance continues to grow because of its pro duction potential, natural resources and relative distance from major geopolitical conflicts. It has real capacity to be part of the solution to global chal lenges around production, resilience and food security. SW: You mentioned increasing regulatory complexity in global seed movement. What needs to change? Basso: Innovation only matters if it reaches farmers. That requires a policy environment that supports innova tion and allows global seed movement to operate with greater predictability. We need a more proactive approach to regulation, grounded in technical criteria and focused on making sure solutions reach the field. SW: As the first woman to lead ISF, what does this moment mean to you? Basso: I am not an exception. I am part of an ongoing process. Our industry has matured, and more women who have built their careers in this business are reaching leadership positions. The fact that another woman from the Americas will follow me reinforces that. It is about having the same right to be in these spaces, to con tribute and to make decisions. I hope this continues to build more diverse environments and encourages more women to choose their place in this industry. SW: Share a bit about your background and family. Basso: I come from a seed family, so this business has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. At the same time, I built my own path through my studies, completing a university degree and an MBA, and growing into my responsibilities. I also have the opportunity to share that journey with my sister in our company. I am also a wife and a mother of two young daughters, which shapes much of my daily life. One of the biggest challenges for many women today is finding a real balance between family and work. It requires flexibility at home and support from compa nies and organizations. I enjoy simple things, spending time with family and friends, being at the club and playing with my daugh ters. SW “The world is asking a lot of agriculture today. We are facing a more complex geopolitical environment...”
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