KWS will invest $3 million to "manufacture" corn seeds in Argentina

Author: Alejandro Rollán

The German company builds an experimental station in Colonia Caroya, Argentina, in order to improve the quality of the cereal. It includes a field of 20 hectares where the new products will be evaluated.

In the last two years, corn is the agricultural production that has grown the most in the country. And the province of Córdoba is the one that provides the greatest volume: more than 30 percent.

Due to this role, seed suppliers develop strategies to land in their territory. Not only to supply the demand of the producers of Cordoba, but also as an access door to the north of the country, where corn also has a lot of potential.
With that intention, the German seed company KWS is investing in the province. The company chose the area between Colonia Caroya and Jesús María, in the department of Colón, to build an experimental station focused on corn. There KWS will start up its second national program of seed improvement for cultivation.

With an investment of three million dollars for the next three years, the seedbed is already working on the construction of the facilities. In addition, KWS has already acquired a field of 20 hectares where they will carry out the tests.

Founded in 1856, KWS is present in 70 countries where it is dedicated to the improvement and production of seeds of agricultural products.

It is the world leader in the improvement of sugar beet, an activity that represents more than 40 percent of the sales figure, according to company data.

Adapted seed

The German company has been working in Argentina in the research and development of agricultural products for 28 years.

With the first breeding program, the nursery managed to produce hybrids that present potential and stability for the Pampean region (Buenos Aires).

"The second program of genetic improvement is aimed at solving, from a quest for genetic improvement, the challenges that represent for producers the latest plantings and environments of northern Argentina", justified Federico Larrosa, marketing coordinator of the nursery.

The research and development that KWS will carry out in Córdoba begins with genetic material brought from China, the United States and Brazil. That, added to those already existing in the country, will allow the creation of seeds adapted to the environment of the north of Córdoba.

"The objective is to ensure technology for extreme environmental conditions and the most important diseases," said Larrosa.

Within the national market of corn seeds, which in the next planting would reach the record of 5.4 million hectares, KWS has between six and seven percent of participation. Of every 100 bags with seeds that are sold, the German nursery contributes between six and seven. "The objective is to improve this participation with the new seeds adapted for the north of the country," said Larrosa. To plant one hectare of corn, about 1.20 bags are needed. The equivalent of 60 thousand seeds.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in Spanish. This English summary has been prepared with Google Translate and edited for clarity.

Original article: KWS invertirá U$S 3 millones para “fabricar” semillas de maíz