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 Main subject - nov/dec 2005
continuation: Evolution of the Seed Analyses Laboratory
It was the first seed laboratory in Brazil, since 1999, that implemented the computerization of the several tests performed and that received and protocolled samples with barcode. All those conquests and innovations provided it with agile results information and helped in motivation, not only for the annalists but also for every one involved in the seed sector.
Aprosmat laboratory is nationaly accredited to rune seed analysis for several species: soybeans, cotton, rice, maize, beans, sorghum, coffee, and several forrages species.It is also accredited for detecting Genetically Modified Organisms (OGM).
In 2003, it has committed to adopt and implement the Quality System supported in the requirements of the rule NBR ISO/IEC 17025 as well as complying to its objectives developing reliable works that assure quality, based on RSA and other applicable standards and laws.
Besides the action areas before mentioned, the laboratory is in charge of developing the Seed Quality System - SQS - a pioneer, volunteer seed quality program of certified soybean producers from Fundação MT who assist over 50% the cropped area of Mato Grosso state (5.5 million hectares).
SQS is an educational program for soybeans seeds quality and it was the great differential point that since 1998, the year of its implementation, changed the laboratory profile. It causes to fit the new market reality, bringing with it high technical qualification and, from that moment on, transformed information into supported results in the different production stages of the species under analysis.
As every can be improved the participants of the SQS program suggested some new alternatives. One of them, was the pre-harvest analyses, highly valued by soybean producers due to its immediate response.
Quality is built in the field and pre-harvest is, exactly, the observation of what features the seeds show right before harvesting. Such work started being performed in a differentiated time (early morning), subsiding producers and technicians with all data from the field to be harvested. Those fields are checked by means of genetical purity analysis and tetrazollium test, under the aspects of deterioration and damage caused by insects and, if any harvest test has been performed, it includes mechanical damage. The number of analyses, from three to four thousand samples per year, observes the denotation of how important the pre- harvest work is. In order to assist the producers far away from the laboratory area, coworkers are sent to the area near the production and a mini-laboratory is arranged, with an infra-structure that allows performing the pre-harvest tests, aiming at providing support in that moment, which is considered to bethe most important in soybean seed production.
Another peak of the work developed is in the way the results obtained are informed. They are forwarded along with interpretations and photos so that incident problems can be better viewed, in real time, providing technical and operational teams with help in taking decisions as well as in managing the fields addressed to seed production.
Such dynamism translates into revenue because, since the product is not approved in the field, it goes straight ahead to the industry so minimizing unnecessary expenses such as raw material receipt which does not show quality and will be discarded after operational procedures. Currently, competitiveness is very stiff and the process cost represents a market elimination factor. Therefore, since the beginning, the laboratory is present being an adjuvant in costs reduction and production quality.
Another strategy used in Aprosmat laboratory refers to the development of new interpretations to the existent techniques and with specific training to the annalists who perform an expressive number of evaluations, making it possible to get closer the real lot quality and its main problems.
One of those interpretations is about tetrazollium, an established test which is considered a complete one for identifying physiological damage (mechanical damage, deterioration caused by moisture, insect damage). Subcategories have been incorporated to the test that helps in identifying potential problems. A diagnostic is made after analyzing and interpreting the main cause of the difference between vigor and viability. Indubitably, it was one of the innovations added to the laboratory work that contributed much to respectability and reliability acquired by seed producers and users.
At Aprosmat's laboratory the results are not sent only as numbers. They are also informed by means of photos, graphs that make it easy to the people involved to understand, and risk indicative abstracts in which, depending on the kind of damage existing in the seeds, the quality will be reduced. All these communication alternatives aim at making laboratory and field walk together. Such attitude has been awarded through the number of samples received by the associated producers as well as seed users who want to check for the truthfulness of the information received.
The performance achieved is due to the way human resources are managed, a crucial point in obtaining good results. The whole staff is qualified by means of trainings and recycling courses (either internal or external) and they prepared through study groups for the different species, where technician coworkers and, mainly, support staff operationals (homogenization, tests instalment, etc.). Such integration makes communication easy and favors the good running of the analyses.
Aprosmat's laboratory is under the leadership of a General Coordination and Management with a doctor in Seed Science and Technology and an agronomist as Technician In Charge. The educational formation of the annalists (technical part) composes mainly of people with elementary and high school level. They total 31 coworkers. Special committees and technical studies groups were created for the better flow of tasks development.
Always considering the person as the fundamental ingredient to be successful, several measures are adopted to guarantee the team's well fare. As there are times when the demand is heavier and exhaustive, looking for their integration, the laboratory has a psychologist who performs group dynamics. In order to minimize the effect of repetitive tasks or posture, labor gymnastic exercises are developed twice a week.
A great gain for the technical team was the settlement of six-hours working shifts. It allows a greater flexibility, what is beneficial to the search for study, which is fully stimulated since it is understood as an easier way to both comprehension and learning processes. With all this, associated to the implementation of work shifts, a 30% efficiency was computed in the development of the tasks performed.
Homogenization room
Aprosmat's laboratory counts for 2006 schedule the implantation of NBR ISO 9001: 2000 aiming at organizing its integrated system and, in the future, to be accredited by the International Seed Testing Association(Ista), due to the increasing seed international market, mainly for seeds pasture.
The service hired by the producers in the Aprosmat's laboratories receives the proper attention as to checking and informing about seeds quality attibutes (genetical, physical, physiological, and sanitary) within the established standards, so looking for the commitment necessary not to endanger the whole work as well as the reliability given to it. Reliability achievement depends on several integrated factors, such as investments in material resources and, mainly, human resources by means of training, qualification, and professional commitment.
How does one feels to coordinate such a great and exhaustive task? It is both hard and suffocating, but when we realize time response and work valuation, day after day, every year with more samples received even from different states of the country, we are sure the mission is being fulfilled. Each one of us must sign your own cooperation. Seed is life and life should be treated with much cared and love. That is the secret.
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