Brazil seed technologies improve soybean and rice productivity

Seed treatment is identified by Embrapa as a low‑cost, high‑benefit technology that protects soybeans at the critical early growth stage. The practice accounts for about 2.2% of production costs per hectare and has helped raise adoption from roughly 5% of sowed area in 1991/92 to over 98% in 2016/17. Industrial seed treatment (TSI) now covers a quarter of treated seeds, with film‑coating technologies enhancing uniformity, adhesion and powder control, thereby reducing the risk of resowing, which can raise costs by up to 17.9%.

RiceTec launched a genetic‑improvement campaign for rice, promoting varieties that deliver higher yields, stable performance and improved herbicide‑resistance. Products such as RT 117 FP, RT 124, XP 125 and the Max‑Ace line (117 MA, RT 739 MA) aim to boost productivity while lowering input use, offering growers better cost‑benefit over the season. Both initiatives underline the strategic role of seed choice in Brazil’s agriculture, turning seed selection from a routine decision into a central component of farm profitability and risk management.