In agriculture, there are complex and often overlooked processes behind bringing new seed varieties to market. Lukeshni Chetty, general manager of the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR), dive deep into the world of seed development and its crucial role in agriculture.
Chetty highlights the importance of research and development in the seed industry, describing it as the foundation of agricultural seed production.
“There’s an entire value chain, with research and development being the biggest part of this process before the seed even reaches the farmer,” she explains.
Chetty emphasises the collaborative work of breeders, plant pathologists, agronomists, and data scientists in ensuring seeds meet specific needs.
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Cultivar trials
Chetty shares that one key step in the seed development process is conducting cultivar trials. These trials help assess how different seed varieties perform in various environments and conditions, enabling farmers to choose the best option for their specific needs.
“So these cultivar trials are for the company as well as for the farmer to be able to evaluate the needs and to showcase cultivar. It’s like going into an appliance store, and you have all the TVs on display,” she says.
In this episode, Chetty also discusses:
- Seed multiplication;
- The importance of seed treatments;
- Marketing and regulation of seeds; and
- Career opportunities in the seed industry.
Dive deeper into the episode and gain insights from the award-winning Farmer’s Inside Track, officially recognised as Africa and the world’s best podcast at the 2024 Digital Media Awards presented by WAN-IFRA, the global press organisation.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices)
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device
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