Chile: Sales period for SAG-certified seed potatoes begins

In early May, the Los Lagos Agricultural Sales Agency (SAG) began inspecting batches of certified potato seeds, a move that allowed for the final sale and shipment of the first trucks of this product, destined for both international and domestic markets. In the municipality of Puerto Octay, the Service approved the first batches for this season. The total is 75,000 kilograms, destined for Brazil.

• "The exported varieties are appreciated for their high genetic, varietal, and sanitary quality, as well as their excellent adaptability, attributes that are highly valued for production and supply to the potato chip processing industry ," noted Francisco Briones, Regional Director of SAG Los Lagos.

Meanwhile, for the domestic market, seed producers located in the Frutillar commune have shipped more than 750,000 kilograms of certified seed.

• "These varieties used in the domestic market are recognized for their versatility in the kitchen and their ability to adapt to diverse agroecological conditions ," Briones commented.

It should be noted that the potato seed certification process in Chile, as in other countries, consists of rigorous stages that ensure the quality and health of the seeds.

• “The Los Lagos Region is a key pillar for potato seed production in Chile, with an ideal climate, fertile soils, and a solid certification infrastructure that ensures high-quality seeds ,” Briones emphasized.

Seeds are the main input in the agricultural chain, and crop success depends largely on the use of quality seeds. Therefore, the SAG has a certification system that ensures that the seed’s full intrinsic value (genetic, biological, and technological) is adequately transmitted to the seed that will be reproduced. This is achieved through supervision of the production process with field inspections, verification of traceability aspects, and laboratory analysis. The certification system seeks to promote the use of quality seeds to contribute to increased productivity and the sustainability of the agricultural sector, in addition to facilitating domestic and international seed trade by providing guarantees of identity, varietal purity, and health status. Furthermore, the use of certified seeds prevents the increase in outbreaks of quarantine pests in the southern regions. Certification and the presence of official labels on the packaging guarantee that the seed has been produced in accordance with the provisions established in the certification standards.

• "This season, we expect to produce more than 26,000 tons of certified seed, both for the domestic and export markets ," concluded the SAG Los Lagos Regional Director.