I’m returning home tired but energized after the completion of the Seed Congress of the Americas, held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in Buenos Aires.
Attending the Congress was a truly positive experience for me. I’ve made many new connections and finally had the opportunity to meet some of my existing contacts face-to-face, which feels like a natural fulfillment of my mission: connecting people within the seed industry.
Over the Congress week, I asked many attendees to describe seeds using just three words. It was so interesting to see the wide variation in priorities described in those three words, as well as the consistent themes. The most common descriptors were: beginning, life, future, innovation and sustainability. For me, it is a privilege to be able to tell the story and share the importance of such a critical priority as seeds.
I find great satisfaction in contributing to this growing sector, especially in the context of our LATAM region. One of my favorite aspects of being part of the seed industry is knowing that my work touches on something of such crucial global importance. As a communicator, discussing seeds is deeply meaningful. Seeds are the foundation of life, the source of food and nutrition, and without them, humanity simply cannot survive. The innovations we explore in plant breeding, from drought-resistant crops to pest control and improved yields, have a direct impact on global food security.
Attendees expressed their satisfaction with the event, especially the opportunities to engage in fruitful conversations across various areas of the seed industry. The Congress successfully united participants, fostering collaboration to tackle the current challenges and drive progress toward shared goals.
I also loved learning about cutting-edge scientific developments. Gene editing, which was one of the main topics at the Congress, is a vital part of meeting the challenges of feeding a growing population with fewer resources and in the face of climate change.
While so much of the Congress focused on the positive, one major topic discussed was the difficulty of moving seeds — and goods — across borders. The complexity of this issue is something I experienced firsthand when trying to distribute the latest edition of our Seed World LATAM magazine at the event. Unfortunately, the magazines were withheld by Argentinian customs, a frustrating example of the bureaucratic barriers that impede progress in our region. Latin America is notoriously complex in terms of regulations. It is necessary to work to unblock these complexities and facilitate the development of the activities of this industry and others, leading to greater economic progress for the region. It’s a mistake to assume that what works smoothly in one place will apply elsewhere, partly because what makes complete sense for one culture will not always translate as sensible for another.
Despite the hiccup with the magazines, the 9th Seed Congress of the Americas in Buenos Aires was a productive, enlightening and fun experience. Argentina is a wonderful country, and Buenos Aires is a captivating city with stunning architecture and an incredible food scene if you’re a foodie like me. All in all, it’s been a rewarding experience.
If you attended the Congress, what were the most important take-aways for you and your company or association? I’d love to hear your thoughts: reach out to me at emansur@seedworldgroup.com.
