Argentina agricultural sector faces technology and genetic renewal debates

In Argentina, discussions regarding agricultural technology and genetic varieties are gaining momentum. Juan Farinati, CEO of Bayer Cono Sur, stated that the debate over seed intellectual property is critical for the next 30 to 40 years of the country's agriculture. He noted that Argentina currently loses approximately US$3 billion annually in soybean production due to a lack of access to the latest available technology and an outdated seed law that is 50 years old.

Separately, in the province of San Juan, the government has launched a strategic plan to revitalize table grape production. Secretary of Agriculture Miguel Moreno explained that while the province once exported over 100 million kilos, current exports have dropped to between 2 and 3 million kilos annually. This decline is attributed to local vineyards being tied to older varieties that no longer meet global consumer preferences. The plan involves collaborating with genetic companies to introduce modern, patented varieties to improve competitiveness in international markets.