b'Bright yellow canola blooms beneath Chiles snow-capped volcanoesa striking reminder of the countrys critical role in global seed supply chains.Of course, visiting is stilldoesnt have to stay to see the end of the important, but I visit less now becausecycle in person. This really works well for we have a great team,many firms.Schweigert says.Nicols Sahli, CEO of CIS Agro, also ANPROS executivepoints out that virtual meetings (with the director Mario Schindlerability to share a screen) also make day-also says skill building wasto-day operations much easier.accelerated in Chile duringBut we still need personal contact and after the pandemic.with customers, he says. I think some Across the industry, our localpeople thought during the pandemic teams developed quickly, growing theirthat we wouldnt need that, but time has expertise not just with the plants but withshown thats not true. Like other sectors, various types of technology, he says.the seed business is very much based on Many of Gro Alliances clients still incor- relationships, so the personal contact will porate virtual visits.always be important.The breeder can be there for theWe added back the in-person indus-main part of the flowering or silking,try events right away in 2021, Schweigert Schweigert explains, but he or shesays. You cannot do networking virtually. 20/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'