b"PARTNER CONTENTWhy Sustainable Seed is Becoming aMust-Have in FarmingFARMERS KNOW THAT DOING THINGS SUSTAINABLY IS CRUCIAL IN THE MODERN WORLD. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY APPLIES TO THEIR MOST FUNDAMENTAL INPUT AS WELL.BY: MAS SEEDSA s the agri-food industry focusesThese innovations are designed to more and more on sustainability,help farmers grow crops under optimal seed companies along with theirconditions, making them more competi-farmer customersneed to keep up totive in the market, he adds. stay competitive. Just like organic grow-ers start with organic seeds, growers whoADAPTING TO A CHANGING want to market sustainably producedINDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPEagricultural products are going to haveEnergy management is one of the most to start with sustainably produced seeds. important areas MAS Seeds is focusing Seed grown using regenerativeon to reduce industrial carbon emissions. agriculture methods isn't just a nice- The companys approach to optimize to-have; it's becoming a necessity,energy consumption involves three key Sebastien Bruzaud, field production man- steps: measuring, reducing, and com-ager for MAS Seeds in Western Europe,Sebastien Bruzaud is field production managerpensating, explains Bertrand Despagnet, says. for MAS Seeds. industrial manager for MAS Seeds.Sebastien, who helps spearhead theThis year, MAS Seeds began chang-MAS Seeds mission to create sustaina- ing the way it installs its seed drying ble seed products, says using sustainableinfrastructure to monitor energy con-seed is about much more than just meet- sumption and link it with quality man-ing market demands: its truly about start- agement. This allows it make real-time ing right to ensure the long-term viabilityadjustments to reduce energy use.of farming practices through regenerativeMAS Seeds is focusing on reducing agriculture. energy consumption and reliance on The seed is the first link from thefossil fuels, exploring new solutions like field to the plate, and many players inbiomass boilers and using surplus heat.the food market are already demandingThe company is also compensating for strict specifications, Sebastien adds.its fossil fuel consumption by investing MAS Seeds has recognized this shiftin sectors that help mitigate its carbon and is working to stay ahead of the curve.footprint.One of our key initiatives is toThis is particularly important because reducegreenhousegasemissionsSustainable seeds are a critical part of the MASof strict French policies aimed at reducing and our industrys carbon footprint bySeeds strategy. the carbon footprint of agriculture, says sequestering carbon in the soil withoutDespagnet. Sustainable seeds are a compromising productivity. We've imple- critical part of this strategy, providing the mented innovative farming practices onLooking ahead, several innovationsfoundation for a farming approach that a sample of farms representative of spe- are on the horizon that will make farmingmeets todays environmental and eco-cific regions to achieve this, Sebastienpractices more competitive, Sebastiennomic challenges. By embracing these says. Such methods include modulationsays.changes, we're not just adapting to the of nitrogen fertilization and the use ofReducing greenhouse gas emissionsfuturewe're helping to shape it.cover crops. is just one part of the equation. We'veWith corporate social responsibility After the first year, MAS Seeds willalso noticed that water managementa key part of the companys ambition, measure the effectiveness of these prac- has become increasingly challenging. ToMAS Seeds is committed to finding the tices. Because climate change is realaddress this, weve taken steps to supportbest solutions while balancing costs andand its impacts are undeniablebyfarmers with decision-making tools andpotential gains for its farmer customers participating in regenerative agriculturenew irrigation systems that optimize water all with the goal of creating seed prod-efforts like this, farmers not only help theuse. Additionally, we're developing com- ucts that cater to a changing world and environment but also ensure the sustain- plementary measures such as plantingthe changing farming practices that come ability of their own operations. hedges and regenerating soils. along with it. SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 31"