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Small and medium-sized seed companies are a crucial link between farmers and the researchers who develop better crops.

“As an agronomist I feel a duty to contribute something, and this is my contribution to Mexico,” says María Esther Rivas, the director general of seed company Bidasem, based in the central Mexican plains region known as the Bajío. Bidasem produces approximately 10,000 bags of maize seed a year, each holding 22.5kg. Despite their small size, Bidasem and similar companies play an important role in improving farmers’ livelihoods. “Our aim is to provide farmers with quality seed at accessible prices, that is adapted to the conditions we have here in the Bajío. It’s a great satisfaction, when farmers achieve the yields they need.”

At CIMMYT, breeders and researchers are developing ever more productive maize, with the ultimate goal of improving global food security and reducing poverty. However, this is only the first step in a chain stretching from scientists all the way to farmers and consumers. To have an impact on crop production, partnership with seed companies like Bidasem is vital. While CIMMYT may supply the improved seed that fuels their business, smaller seed companies provide a crucial link to seed distributors and farmers. For Rivas, her business depends on getting good seed to her customers.Cutting an attractive, rather elegant figure, Rivas at first glance seems an unlikely candidate for an agricultural career. However, agriculture is in her blood. As a child she was fascinated by insects and loved spending time outside with her agronomist father. “For me it was normal to be in the field with farmers, trying to understand a little how they think and what they need, and how we could help them.” Any doubts about Rivas’ career choice evaporate once you see her in action. She is full of questions for her close-knit team and is involved in every part of the business, from examining plants to helping sort seed to visiting distributors. Rivas is a woman on a mission: to produce the best seed she can.

A big cake
In Mexico, as in many countries throughout the developing world, most farmers do not plant the best available seed. More than three-quarters of the maize planted in Mexico is of traditional varieties with relatively low yields. The availability of improved seed is often a limiting factor, as seed production is a complex and challenging business, with long production lead-times and a perishable product that is vulnerable to losses both in the field and in storage. While small, regional seed companies are uniquely placed to reach local markets and smallholder farmers, they need support. “We have huge untapped opportunities,” says CIMMYT seed systems specialist John MacRobert. “Seed businesses have the potential to transform farmers’ livelihoods and the economies of their countries. Improved seed gives farmers hope.”

Bidasem’s offices are surrounded by a strikingly agricultural landscape of neat green fields, food processing factories, grain silos, machinery vendors, and, unusually, several other seed companies of varying sizes. The Bajío was once known as Mexico’s breadbasket, and has stayed true to its roots. Rivas is not intimidated by the competition. “There is a lot of need, and we all have to be more productive because the amount of seed that is sold is very small,” she says. “It’s a big cake, and we’re not going to finish it all—there’s a lot more market.”

MasAgro: Better together Sustainable Modernization of Traditional Agriculture (MasAgro) is a Mexican initiative launched in 2011 to help smallholder farmers raise and stabilize their crop yields, increase their incomes, and reduce the effects of climate change on Mexico’s agricultural output. It is a partnership among the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA); CIMMYT; and numerous public, private, and farmer organizations. Bidasem is just one of many companies already participating in regional field trials of hybrid varieties under rainfed conditions. Seed companies are invited to enter their own hybrids and see how they perform at different locations, and to compare them with the latest seed from CIMMYT and other research organizations. “Our goal is to increase total maize production in Mexico by 85% in 10 years,” says Marc Rojas, coordinator of the Maize Improvement Consortium for Latin America (IMIC-LA), one of MasAgro’s four components. “I don’t care who the product comes from, as long as the farmer gets more productive seed. That’s why we’re setting up a system where we can really evaluate all the different options.” “Bidasem and other seed companies are incredibly important partners for me. one of our biggest aims is to make that bridge much more efficient and get products out into farmers’ fields as quickly as possible. We’re supplying much higher quantities of seed so that companies can deliver new varieties to farmers in just one year, whereas in the past it could take four or five years. Our vision is for seed companies and research organizations to work together as one team.” Rivas and her production manager have also attended three MasAgro training courses between them—two on seed production and one on seed company administration. “Administration is not my area, so my new knowledge is really helping me,” says Rivas. “And when you go to training courses, you get to know who knows about a certain area, who you can turn to. Having MasAgro, and having CIMMYT, gives me a lot of strength, a lot of confidence in moving forward. I think we’ll advance much more rapidly.”

We could not exist without CIMMYT
Although the company produces and markets seed of other crops, maize is Bidasem’s linchpin. “Without CIMMYT, we couldn’t exist,” says Rivas. She sells four different maize hybrids, all formed from freely-available CIMMYT parent lines. “Really the most important thing is to produce your own hybrids, and for us it wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have the germplasm from CIMMYT. What we’re currently producing is 100% CIMMYT.” The relationship between Bidasem and CIMMYT is now deepening through participation in the MasAgro initiative (see box,MasAgro: Better together).

Different bicycles for different paths
Between efficient transnational seed companies and time-proven traditional varieties, it is easy to wonder why small seed companies are really necessary. The sophisticated maize hybrids produced by larger companies are like a fine racing bicycle. on a smoothly-paved road it will give an unbeatable high-speed performance, just as on irrigated land with appropriate inputs these varieties produce outstanding yields. However, on rocks or mud a mountain bike is a much more stable choice, and this is where companies like Bidasem come in—their hybrids excel in rainfed areas (without irrigation) and under adverse conditions. “We look for different niches,” says Rivas. “Our materials may not be very pretty, they’re not as uniform as others, but they’re really tough. They withstand drought well, and when excessive rains are a problem they stay on their feet and can still give a good yield.”

Small companies also seek to produce seed adapted to their regional microenvironments, and while farmers’ traditional varieties have the same toughness and suitability to local conditions, the problem is their low yield. Walking is very dependable, but a mountain bike is faster even on difficult ground. Climate change also means that many once perfectly-adapted varieties are struggling. Small and medium-sized seed companies can reach poor farmers with varieties that can give higher, reliable yields, and so hugely improve their food security and incomes.

A set of wheels does require some mechanical know-how, and improved seed too is no better than a rusty bicycle without the right management. Bidasem works closely with distributors to make sure they give the right recommendations, as well as directly with farmers. They hold frequent field days and tours to demonstrate their materials and provide technical support. “When there’s any doubt or any need, we’re with them,” says Rivas. “Whenever they ask we’re with them.”

Thinking of the future, Rivas’ thoughts turn to climate change, and the need for new varieties to face it. “In agriculture the major limiting factor is climate. Our hybrids have to respond to the adverse conditions we’re facing, principally water stress and temperature.” Together we can meet this challenge through strong partnerships that help the best seed flow through the chain from scientists to farmers.

Image slideshow How seed is processed at Bidasem (click to enlarge)