Improved Seeds Key to Climate Resilient Agriculture

Agriculture and climate have always been closely linked, but as extreme weather events become more frequent, farmers need stronger tools to meet the challenges of climate change.

Over the last decade, unprecedented climate shifts have disrupted agricultural cycles in multiple ways. This, in turn, generates significant impacts on food security and the economy. Some of the most significant impacts of climate change on agriculture are:

Rising temperatures. High temperatures directly affect crops, as most require an optimal temperature range for growth. Excessive heat can accelerate fruit ripening while reducing yield and nutritional quality.

Changes in the hydrologic cycle. Some regions now face prolonged droughts, while others suffer from flooding. Water scarcity for irrigation has become a critical problem, especially in areas reliant on seasonal rainfall. These shifts complicate agricultural planning and put farmers’ incomes at risk.

Pests and diseases. Changing climatic conditions foster the spread of pests and pathogens. Warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns expand the geographic range of insects and diseases once confined to specific areas. While increased pesticide use may appear to be a solution, it often harms both the environment and human health. 

The Contributions of Improved Seeds

The landscape is complex, and there is no single solution to the challenges that climate change poses for agriculture; however, the seed sector knows from decades of experience that improved seeds are a powerful tool for mitigating some of these impacts.

Seed companies conduct research and development to give seeds the attributes that farmers require. The development of improved seeds is a meticulous process that requires attention to factors such as genetics, safety, and resistance to pests and diseases.

Research programs worldwide aim to develop seeds with strong genetic quality, producing vigorous crops that adapt to regional climatic conditions.

A crucial aspect for the improved seed industry is phytosanitary quality, as the goal is to grow healthy plants that resist the onslaught of pests and diseases found in the field. The emphasis on these two characteristics — genetic quality and phytosanitary quality — means that seeds already incorporate attributes that promote proper crop development even under unfavorable climatic conditions.

Another objective of our industry is to accelerate the development of seeds capable of withstanding extreme climates. With climatic phenomena such as droughts and floods, ensuring sustainable agricultural production becomes crucial.

Drought resistance remains one of the most enduring priorities in the development of improved seeds. There are currently seeds on the market that can contribute to obtaining the same product with the same quality but using less water. During drought, farmers can turn to seed varieties with lower water requirements, such as corn that thrives with just three irrigations rather than four.

In the case of pests, seeds can also incorporate resistance or tolerance to them, allowing farmers to avoid or reduce the use of agrochemicals for control. This, in turn, translates into benefits for the environment.

These cases highlight the critical role of research, development, and innovation to guarantee that improved seeds both germinate successfully and withstand the challenges of a changing climate.

Data-Driven Agriculture

Finally, it is worth noting that modern agriculture is increasingly data-driven. Most decisions made in the field today are based on the collected data throughout the production process.

Without a doubt, climate data is crucial for guiding seed selection and for defining when and under what conditions planting should take place to ensure optimal crop development.

In short, research and data from the field are vital elements for adapting new plant varieties to changing climatic conditions.

Seed companies invest in medium- and long-term research programs, considering that their seeds should be usable in the next ten to twenty years. Through these programs, companies already address climate change challenges: producing more on less land, using less water, and sustaining efficiency despite adverse weather.

The goal of every seed research program is to ensure that new varieties help farmers meet the challenges of changing environmental conditions.