SW: Can you describe APESemillas?
Vivas: The association has 20 members, including seed producers, researchers, exporters and importers from all over the country, representing 87.2% of seed imports and 65.2% of seed exports.
In addition, APESemillas is in the process of including small seed producers in its representation, so that they can have a space to communicate their different needs and problems, consolidating APESemillas as a key player in both the national and international seed market.
We are pleased to announce my appointment as APESemillas’ new Executive Director. APESemillas is committed to continuously supporting and strengthening the Peruvian seed sector.
SW: What are APESemillas’ key priorities?
Vivas: The main priority for APESemillas is to promote technological innovation and sustainability in seed production; ensuring access and availability of high-quality seeds, which will contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector and food security.
All this will be achieved through the work carried out by its various technical committees, which interact with different strategic stakeholders and deal with key issues such as access to international markets, regulatory affairs and procedures, biotechnology, and innovative plant breeding, among others.
SW: What are APESemillas’ key challenges?
Viva: APESemillas faces challenges such as the need for greater production and availability of quality seeds, as well as a dynamic and adequate national seed system that guarantees the production, research and marketing of certified seeds, accompanied by standards that create an enabling environment for the development of the sector; and the introduction of new technologies for innovative plant breeding. For APESemillas, it is crucial to promote collaboration among the different actors in the sector in order to achieve sustainable growth of agribusiness.
