Seed piracy pressures productivity in the field

The Associação Paulista dos Produtores de Sementes warns that the use of this material compromises the quality of the planted areas, disseminates pests and diseases, and reduces the vigor of the plants. According to the entity, the seed is the starting point of production and inadequate choices end up reflecting in losses throughout the entire cycle. "Legal seed guarantees origin, quality, genetic purity, and predictable results in the field, while illegal seed brings risks of low productivity, contamination, and irreversible losses. Investing in certified seed is not an expense: it is security, profitability, and respect for the future of Brazilian agriculture. The producer needs to see the seed as the starting point of all production," clarifies the executive director of the entity, Andreia Bernabé. Among forage crops, one of the cultivars that most attract counterfeiters is a hybrid known for its drought tolerance and good adaptation to hot weather. The illegal product has been ...