b'We have a few months where thereto field. With Brazil being a tropical cli-are no big competitors, and this is a verymate, soybean crops face a lot of insect good advantage for us. And the cur- pressure making seed biotechnology that rency devaluation, that plays a key role incan help with insect control an important terms of soybean competitiveness, Marinitool for farmers. explains, adding Brazilian farmers are also(Brazilian farmers) are very open to able to double crop, planting both a soy- innovation, coming from seeds, passing bean and a corn crop within the same year.through machinery, to fertilizers, every-The tropical climate is also a perk forthing. The growers in Brazil are very pro-soybean production, Santiago De Stafanofessional growers and they accept a lot of adds. The high temperature and ampleinnovation in their process, Buran says.rain are more suitable for soybean growthFor Bayer, they have focused a lot compared to corn which prefers a coolerof resources on Brazilian operations. nighttime temperature.The seed company has even launched The industry has been working a lot toproducts in Brazil before the AmericanAndre Buran, Bayer Crop Sciences seeds adapt varieties, to adapt production sys- marketplacea first for the company. Inand traits marketing head for LATAM.tems to be very aligned with the need of2020 Bayer launched soybean varieties the Brazilian environment. So, theres beenwith Intacta 2Xtend in Brazil.a lot of hard work of the industry to helpIn our predictions in the next years, or to move in the same direction that thewe really believe that its important keep acreage was moving, De Stafano, globalinvesting. We have already new impor-business director for GDM, explains. tant technologies to bring in the upcom-The South American nation has alsoing years to Brazil, Buran explains. We invested in export infrastructure in thebelieve that we need to keep the space past few years, which has allowed farmersof investments to keep bringing innova-in the country to increase production,tions on soybean to Brazilian growers. Buran says. And help them to do their best in terms of Demand for soybean seeds hasproduction and sustainability.increased with the rising productionDemand for soybean seed should demands. Brazilian law allows for farmcontinue to increase in Brazil as demand saved seeds, which in the past reducedfor production of the oilseed crop isMarcela Marini, a senior analyst for grains seed sales in the region. Over the pastexpected to rise. Rabobank is expectingand oilseeds with Rabobank in Sao Paulo, two decades that has changed, Burana record volume of exports and recordBrazil.explains. As companies, including Bayer,domestic demand for Brazilian soybeans introduced new soybean seed technologythis year. Marini adds the Brazilian govern-and increased the number of commercialments biodiesel mandate is also expected seed growers in the region, more farmersto increase this year, which will in turn have started purchasing certified seed.drive up domestic need for soybeans.Buran estimates now close to 90% of soy- The (seed) industry was a key part bean seed planted in Brazil is certified. of this growth in Brazil, enabling farmers We are bringing the opportunity towith more technology, with technology the growers to access new technolo- adapted to the needs to continue growing gies that contributes with their produc- their acres over these 10 years. And we tion cycle in terms of yield production orbelieve that for the next 10 years we will yield increase, are reducing the spray ofcontinue on the same path, De Stefano insecticides, herbicides and so on. Thosesays.SWbiotechnologies are contributing to the chain, he explains.Due to the vast production area, farmers across the country have different threats when it comes to their soybeanSantiago De Stefano, global business crops with conditions varying from fielddirector for GDM.LATAMSEEDWORLD.COM /7'