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 Green line - july/aug 2006
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INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
Brazil is becoming more and more inserted in the world seed scene. Not long ago, the participation of Brazilians in the congresses of the International Seed Federation (ISF) was neglectable; however, currently it is very common the participation of more than 15 professionals of the seed sector in order to get their business improved. In addition, Abrasem takes part of the ISF's committees and meetings to be better informed of the news.
OECD
Recently dr. Michael M. Ryan replaced dr. Jean Mari-Debois as chief of the Agricultural Schemes Department of OECD. Dr. Michael is already familiar to the organization, easing up the seed certification schemes, which requires knowledge people. SEED News desires him success.
MAIZE
Americans are extratcting alcohool from maize at a rate of 100 liters per ton of maize grain. Such production is economically favorable whenever the petro barrel costs more than US$ 50.00 and the maize bushel (27kg) costs less than US$ 2.00. it would be important to make these countings also for Brazil because maybe in distant areas the extraction of alcohool from maize should be an interesting alternative.
GOOD NEWS
It is good to emphasize that things are getting better and will keep like this in the future. It does not mean we will not have problems or we should not be careful. We will always have problems, however they will be less and smaller. What we should do is priorize our attitude correctly. (Djørn Lomborg)
SEED DEVOLUTION
Seed business involves several processes. Among them there is a contractual clause in which seeds can be given back in case they do not show a given attribute. Devolution causes disturbances to every partys involved, however not always its cause can be considered fair. In this sense, ISF considers that seed price is not a fair cause to product devolution. ISF is an important element to seed international business.
OUT OF RYTHMN
Brazil, as one of the strong participants in international agribusiness - according to its exports -, is out of rhythm with the adoption of both scientific and technological advances which are crucial to keep competiveness. Such statement is due to the difficulty of CTNBio to act, since it can not put into motion the petitions for performing researches with GM material, so hampering the process of adopting a superior technology.
PANAMERICAN
The Panamerican Seed Seminar, which occurs since the 1960's, has part of its success assured once again because more than 300 papers were submitted to be presented at the event. The subjects are variated, with the prevalence of technological ones. And since the lecturers have already confirmed their presence, it can be stated that the event is very attractive and that the participants will, surely, go back satisfied.
ABRASEM'S ANNUAL GUIDE
Since June, Abrasem's Annual Guide is available, with the statistics of seed production, cultivated area, and rate of seed use by state and by crop. It is also a part of the Annual Guide Abrasem's position as to seed piracy and technical issues. Information: www.abrasem.com.br
NEW PRODUCT
It is available in the market a product to track the conditions under which seeds are transported. It is based on temperature and relative umidity conditions to which seeds are exposed. It uses the internet to send data, which knowledge allows to take decisious to replacing the product or assure its quality. It is developed by Orbi Solutions. www.Orbi-Solutions.com
INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH
In order to keep one's market share, it is necessary to introduce materials with higher quality, and it requires research and development (R & D) with both human and financial availability. The normal among companies dedicated to seed business, with the creation of new varieties, is to address 10 to 15% of their income to R & D. Only in USA more than one billion dollars are allocated by those companies yearly; in Brazil that amount reaches over 400 million dollars yearly.
TRAINING
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and FAO just signed a memorandum of understanding to provide seed training. The first region to ask for this kind of training was Africa. FAO with its experience and leadership along with ISTA and its knowledge on seed, for sure, will have an excellent program. Many regions do need this kind of help.
CERTIFIED SEED
Denmark has over 60% of its area cultivated mainly with wheat and barley. For implanting such area they use certified seeds at a percentual that deserves to be registered: from 85 to 90%. In 2004, over 230,000 tons of seeds were certified. Such process makes it easy to track the grain that is available in the market. The process of seeds certification is an excellent tracking mechanism, existing for more than half a century.
PROTECTION
ISF, in a recent research, found out among its members that the greatest hamper in seeds business is the lack of a mechanism to reinforce intellectual property rights. Such discovery makes one infer that the solution passes by a governmental action in which the first to minimize the problem will take the first place, as always. So, the suggestion that we must always think globally and act locally, is very opportune.
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