Guatemala City, Guatemala — The Guatemalan Seed Association (ASEG) celebrated its tenth anniversary under the theme “Seeds for a Better Future,” reaffirming Guatemala’s position as a leader in quality seed production.
ASEG President Byron Cuéllar, in his opening remarks, highlighted the country’s agroecological, productive and human capacities, as well as the strategic value of seed for productivity, sustainability and food security.
Lorena Basso, President of the International Seed Federation (ISF), was present and delivered the keynote address, “Seeds Transforming the Food Systems of the Future,” and participated in the forum “Women Leading the Future of Seeds.”
The panel combined her global perspective with those of Gabriela Tobar, Manager of Guatemala’s Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (ICTA); Krystal Méndez, Biotechnology Specialist at the Directorate of Plant and Animal Genetics and Native Resources of Guatemala’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), who addressed biotechnology’s contribution to plant improvement; and Claudia Espital, from the Agricultural Department of Cooperativa Cuatro Pinos and a vegetable producer, who brought the perspective of horticultural production, the cooperative model and the needs of women farmers. The discussion connected leadership, research, biotechnology and production, with a focus on bringing innovation to the field.
As part of the ASEG-IICA cooperation agreement, Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), delivered the keynote address “Seed Innovation and Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainability and Food Security in the Americas.”
The Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) was also represented by Dinorah Herrera, Vice Minister for Food and Nutrition Security, who opened the event, and Jorge Mario Gómez, Director of Plant Health.
Gómez participated in the panel “Innovation and Regulatory Frameworks for the Future of the Seed Sector” alongside Rosario Gómez, Guatemala Representative of the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA); Thomas Steenks, Manager of HFT Seed Services, a company working with vegetable seeds; and Juan Roberto Barillas, Manager of Floricultura & Cía. Ltda., a company specializing in flower seeds.
The participation of government authorities, regional cooperation organizations and industry representatives highlighted the importance of innovation, plant health, regulatory frameworks and plant variety protection in facilitating the safe and predictable international movement of seed.
ASEG recognized ISF for its global leadership and its contribution to integrating Guatemala’s seed sector into the global agenda. In his closing remarks, Cuéllar reaffirmed a fundamental principle: “The farmer comes first.”
When quality seed can move safely around the world and reach those who produce our food, it supports profitable, sustainable and resilient agriculture, creates opportunities for young people, promotes rural development, strengthens food and nutrition security, and contributes to building a better world.#
(Original article in Spanish from ASEG)
