La Semilla = The Seed! You already knew that right?!
The Seed – planting for today and for eternity…..a great slogan filled with truth. Let’s talk seed – when we started in Nicaragua over a decade ago, no secure supplier of seed could be found. In agricultural circles, we know that using good quality seed is paramount to the yield success we wish to see at harvest time. Now we – La Semilla – are a leader in bean seed throughout the country! We market seed throughout Nicaragua – primarily bean seed, but also with small forays into sorghum, corn and rice under our market brand – EXITIERRA.
Quality certified seed is based on these characteristics:
- Genetics – These are the traits, or benefits, specific to a particular plant type. For example in beans, we’re looking for genetics that help the plant resist periods of drought, growing conditions of high moisture & humidity, and an up-right plant that holds it’s pods well off the groundfor good disease resistence. All these factors will help a farmer have a more consistent high yield. We work with the agriculture department of Nicaragua to import and breed the genetics we want to see in the varieties we propagate.
- Purity – To produce seed of high quality it must be consistent. Consistent to the genetics we wish to see expressed. This means that within our production systems we pay strict attention to crop rotations (to minimize chances of disease and contamination), removal of atypical plants, and finally, proper cleaning and selection of the grain to be classified as seed.
- Laboratory Analysis – In order to achieve our certificate status, seed must meet minimum standards (based on Internationally accepted parameters) for purity, germination, vigor, and free of disease.
- Germination – already mentioned in the previous point, but this is a dynamic variable – germination rates will decrease based on factors of time, temperature and humidity. In our tropical climate it is important that we maintain our seed in a climate-controlled warehouse. This is the aspect that is most difficult and most costly to achieve. We keep our seed in our air-conditioned warehouse until just a few days prior to seeding to ensure optimal germination and vigor in the field.
The seed program continues to grow based on market demand. Word of mouth is our most successful advertising – as farmers have success with seed, they are happy to share that with their neighbors. We also have a good relationship with other like-minded organizations offering agriculture programs in Nicaragua, and have been successful in securing some higher volume sales. Will you consider helping us with an expansion of the cold storage we need to ensure a good supply of quality seed? – We’re bursting at the seams! , our current warehouse is full to capacity but we’d still like to be able to meet growing demand. email me at the address below for more information on options for financial support. GRACIAS!
