We need to genetically improve plant species to respond to a planet that requires increased sustainable food production and contribute to food security.
APRICED
To achieve sustainable production systems for fibre, food and energy, there must be plant species and a genetic improvement system capable of providing solutions to the challenges facing us at the regional and global level, in the required time.
Genetic improvement is an essential element for the sustainability of agro-industrial systems and the socio-economic development of the country.
Specifically, we need to genetically improve plant species to respond to a planet that requires increased sustainable food production and contribute to global food security. At the same time, mitigate the effects of climate change, achieve efficiency in the use of natural resources, maintain the biodiversity of agro-ecosystems and reduce negative impacts on natural resources such as water, air and soil.
For decades, there has been a legislative deficit that discourages the development of improved plant species. It is necessary to discuss the regulatory framework for the protection of new plant varieties (UPOV) to create an updated, dynamic and effective system that responds to local, regional and global demands.
Today there is an opportunity to push for changes that allow the improvement of regulations in this sense, with the conviction that there are better genes that will benefit the country, all members of the agri-food community, and especially agricultural producers.
At the same time, we view with concern that costs, taxes and direct exchange continue to fall on the producer, ultimately preventing access to technologies or having a negative impact on the profitability and sustainability of production systems and producers.
Argentine Association of Direct Sowing Producers
