The province of San Juan is the leading national producer and exporter of all varieties of onion seeds, a commodity that is steadily growing: exports went from 78 tons in 2009 to 266 tons in 2013, according to official figures. These export values represent 75% of Argentina's total onion seed exports (about 360 tons). The province is also the main supplier of the domestic market.
"According to international seed companies, San Juan is poised to become the global seedbed of hybrid onion seeds pole," said Minister of Production, Marcelo Alos. The quality of local production of vegetable seeds benefits from the desert climate and its annual 50 to 100 mm rainfall, relatively low humidity, high brightness, extreme temperatures which range between -8 degrees and +45 degrees, and high thermal amplitude values.
These conditions allow local producers to achieve high yields, few diseases and high quality seeds that have high percentages of germination power and force, according to experts.
All this data was disclosed on Tuesday when the Ministry of Production inaugurated a lab with the latest technology in the Incubator Institute located in Rivadavia. The laboratories, which are in a 500 squared metres area, will be able to work hand in hand to analyse, research and provide various services for the seed production chain in order to achieve international certifications. This is a potential service for the 280 seed producers in the rural areas of the San Juan River Basin -Calingasta, Ullúm, Zonda- and the Jachal River Basin, with Iglesia and Jachal.
Source: DiariodeCuyo