The Association of Horticultural Seed and Nursery Plant Producers of Andalusia and the National Association of Plant Breeders held a day of debate in the Science and Technology Park of Almeria. The discussion focused on the future challenges of horticulture, and this served to outline the possible joint strategies that may be adopted in order to take better advantage of any beneficial synergies for the sector.
The meeting also motivated its participants to strengthen the collaboration between seed-producing industries and nurseries; a cooperation that, they insisted, is "essential to ensure the progress and sustainability of the fruit and vegetable industry in the future."
They unanimously highlighted the importance of research in South East Spain and, in particular, in the province of Almería, which is home to about thirty companies with a strong commitment to R & D. These firms have turned the province into one of the five most advanced areas in the world when it comes to horticultural seed research.
The president of ASEHOR, Miguel A. Zorrilla, stressed that "both sectors have to work hand in hand, because they share the common goal of offering agricultural producers the best seedlings from the best seeds." Julián Arnedo, President of ANOVE, highlighted the same idea. "We have to provide joint solutions to obtain seeds and plants of the highest quality, free of pests, and germinated in high-tech centers. This should facilitate the sector's constant improvement." For this reason, Zorrilla concluded that "this type of events are very important, because they make it easier for us to learn from each other in order to face new, more ambitious challenges together."
In recent decades, plant improvement has allowed the sector to grow, obtaining products with more flavor, greater resistance and a more attractive appearance, as well as with a longer shelf life, making it possible for them to be sold and kept in storage for longer. The President of ANOVE explained that "competing in such a demanding market requires strict compliance with the law on the part of all growers, scrupulously adhering to good practices and certifications. Only in this way will it be possible to continue guaranteeing food security, varietal identity and a productivity in which the rules of the game are equal for all. In this way, our activities will be perceived as solid, professional and reliable. Thus, he concluded that "collaboration between breeders and nurseries is essential, as is the rigorous control on the part of the Administration in order to promote innovation among breeders and provide them good legal support."
During the event, opened by José Manuel Ortiz, Territorial Delegate of Agriculture of the Government of Andalusia, and by Trinidad Cabeo, director of the Technological Science Park of Almería, the talks dealt with technical aspects such as vigor and germination, reproduction and multiplication of cultivated plants, innovative guidelines for the treatment of seeds and different types of grafts, or the transmission of seed and seedling diseases. There were speakers such as Francisco Petit, Technical Director of ANOVE, Juan Ignacio Tijera, partner of ASEHOR, or the professors Carlos Hernández (Polytechnic University of Madrid) and Julio César Tello (University of Almería).
In the round table, presidents Miguel Ángel Zorrilla and Julián Arnedo, as well as ASEHOR advisor Pedro Mario Fernández (Lealtadis Abogados), debated on regulatory issues and about how to improve the activity of seed companies and nurseries, seeking formulas for joint cooperation.
Source: fhalmeria.com