France
September 3, 2024
Farmers know that doing things sustainably is crucial in the modern world. It turns out that the concept of sustainability applies to their most fundamental input as well.
As the agri-food industry focuses more and more on sustainability, seed companies —along with their farmer customers — need to keep up to stay competitive. Just like organic growers start with organic seeds, growers who want to market sustainably produced agricultural products are going to have to start with sustainably produced seeds.
“Seed grown using regenerative agriculture methods isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s becoming a necessity,” Sebastien Bruzaud, field production manager for MAS Seeds in Western Europe, says.
Sebastien, who helps spearhead the MAS Seeds mission to create sustainable seed products, says using sustainable seed is about much more than just meeting market demands: it’s truly about starting right to ensure the long-term viability of farming practices through regenerative agriculture.
“The seed is the first link from the field to the plate, and many players in the food market are already demanding strict specifications,” Sebastien adds.
MAS Seeds has recognized this shift and is working to stay ahead of the curve.
“One of our key initiatives is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our industry’s carbon footprint by sequestering carbon in the soil without compromising productivity. We’ve implemented innovative farming practices on a sample of farms representative of specific regions to achieve this,” Sebastien says. Such methods include modulation of nitrogen fertilization and the use of cover crops.
After the first year, MAS Seeds will measure the effectiveness of these practices. Because climate change is real — and its impacts are undeniable — by participating in regenerative agriculture efforts like this, farmers not only help the environment but also ensure the sustainability of their own operations.
Looking ahead, several innovations are on the horizon that will make farming practices more competitive, Sebastien says.
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is just one part of the equation. We’ve also noticed that water management has become increasingly challenging. To address this, we’ve taken steps to support farmers with decision-making tools and new irrigation systems that optimize water use. Additionally, we’re developing complementary measures such as planting hedges and regenerating soils.”
These innovations are designed to help farmers grow crops under optimal conditions, making them more competitive in the market, he adds.
Adapting to a Changing Industrial Landscape
Energy management is one of the most important areas MAS Seeds is focusing on to reduce industrial carbon emission. The company’s approach to optimize energy consumption involves three key steps: measuring, reducing, and compensating, explains Bertrand Despagnet, industrial manager for MAS Seeds.
- This year, MAS Seeds began changing the way it installs its seed drying infrastructure to monitor energy consumption and link it with quality management. This allows us it make real-time adjustments to reduce energy use.
- MAS Seeds is focusing on reducing energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels, exploring new solutions like biomass boilers and using surplus heat.
- The company is also compensating for its fossil fuel consumption by investing in sectors that help mitigate its carbon footprint.
This is particularly important because of French strict policies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture, says Bertrand. “Sustainable seeds are a critical part of this strategy, providing the foundation for a farming approach that meets today’s environmental and economic challenges. By embracing these changes, we’re not just adapting to the future — we’re helping to shape it.”
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