“…are the most viable long-term resources for introducing cultivars that have genes for resistance to a particular weed and/or pathogen…”
Mário Carvalho is the president of Seedcorp|HO, an agronomist from the Paraguaçu Paulista College of Agriculture and a post-graduate in business management from Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation.
Seedcorp became Seedcorp|HO in 2017, after a merger with the Argentine company Horus.
Mário Carvalho, president of Seedcorp|HO
AgriBrasilis – What is the importance of a good seed for the farmer?
Mário Carvalho – The use of quality seeds is fundamental to guarantee a good implantation, standardization and the development of the crop. Physiological quality (high vigor and germination), genetic purity (no mixtures with seeds of other cultivars), sanitary and physical quality (free of pathogens, weed seeds or any other contaminants) are essential criteria when choosing the seeds.
The seed market has been growing because of advances in biotechnology and innovations. The use of GMO seeds, for example, aims to optimize resources such as herbicides and insecticides, consequently causing less harm to the environment and promoting better yields.
AgriBrasilis – How has the consolidation of large resellers of inputs influenced the seed market?
Mário Carvalho – The consolidation of resellers provides opportunities for further expansion of the business and, therefore, generates more access to distribution channels. In this way, the farmer obtains better conditions in the negotiation of inputs.
AgriBrasilis – What is the profile of seed consumption for each Brazilian region? Why are germplasm banks important in this regard?
Mário Carvalho – The seed consumption profile in each region is linked to the investment potential within each property and access to technology. Germplasm banks are fundamental, as they are the most viable long-term resources for introducing cultivars that have genes for resistance to a particular weed and/or pathogen, and this varies greatly for each region of Brazil.
AgriBrasilis – SeedCorp|HO’s seed production model is vertical. Could you comment on each step?
Mário Carvalho – We are present in all stages of the seed chain – research, production, market development, sales and logistics – seeking to offer the best options to farmers through our own brand (vertical model) or genetic licensing. We have an integrated seed platform, with our own genetic improvement program. Our portfolio consists of 30 soybean cultivars.
In 2023, we implemented a new research station in the city of Sertanópolis, State of Paraná, in addition to the existing one in the city of Primavera do Leste, State of Mato Grosso. We decided to bring our germplasm from maturation groups 5 and 6 of the genetic improvement program to the south of Brazil, where our commercial results grow positively, and the program positioned in Sertanópolis will allow us to bring a greater offer of new products, much more adapted.
We are present in more than 62 million hectares of soybean planted in 2022 in South America. Our revenue in 2022 was US$ 162.8 million, 18% more than in 2021. We invested in machinery, specialized equipment (such as planters, harvesters, tractors), in addition to software and infrastructure improvements in new research centers.
We are starting a new cycle, after the entry of Bunge and UPL into the corporate structure.
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