The government seeks to eliminate the free use of soybeans and wheat

This afternoon, the Minister of Agriculture, Julián Domínguez, met with representatives of the various seed producers working in the country to carry out a project that promotes the harvesting of producers for the use of soybeans and wheat.

At the meeting, which he also attended Obdulio San Martinopresident of the National Seed Institute (INASE), said Argentina is losing ground in terms of yield to its main competitors, as companies are not investing in both crops because they cannot grasp the value of the technology.

According to data from the seed industry, in Argentina about 35% of the soybean market is legal: 17% controlled seed and 18% own use. While in Brazil this percentage reaches 70%, in the United States it is 95% and in Uruguay it is 100%. Meanwhile, the Argentine wheat market, in both cases, reaches 40%.

“What we are discussing is own indiscriminate useor from the seed that is there, “said a source consulted by Clarín Rural who was present at the meeting.

“Argentina needs a new seed law that will keep us in step with the countries of the region,” Domínguez said at the end of March this year at the annual meeting of the Southern Plains Committee, anticipating what the meeting of this later at the Ministry of Agriculture with the seed industry. It was not the only time that his request was presented in public, he also did so at technical events in the sector.

But without consent to promote the updating of this law – which dates back to 1973 – in Congress, by the Government and the seed industry try to reach an agreement to promote the collection of copyright. It was found that the producer could be charged every time the production is delivered to stock or export, so that royalties can be passed on to the producers (seed growers). But, at the moment, there are no official definitions in this regard.

Recently, companies have launched the program Evolution of sowinga new business model to allow producers access to all soybean varieties incorporating Enlist technology, which is resistant to the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium and 2,4-D.

It should be remembered that due to the lack of incentives, the multinational Bayer has redirected its investments and a year ago decided to close the soy business in Argentina.