EN 
PT_BR 
To guarantee the quality and productivity of seeds used in crops, the Semente Forte program, from the Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (Aprosoja MT), collects and analyzes seeds purchased commercially, verifying whether the batches sold meet the quality standards established by Brazilian legislation.
The focus of the Aprosoja Mato Grosso project goes beyond analyzing the intrinsic quality of seeds. The initiative also seeks to verify the conditions in which these materials arrive at rural properties. The process is carried out in accordance with Law 10.711, of August 5, 2003, which regulates the inspection of the production, processing, sampling, and analysis of seeds.
Among the members who have already requested sampling of commercially purchased seeds is the producer and coordinating delegate of the Paranatinga nucleus, Jean Marcell Benetti, who congratulated the entity for the initiative, highlighting the security that the program offers to rural producers in Mato Grosso.
“First of all, it is necessary to praise the Aprosoja Mato Grosso program. The Semente Forte program greatly helps producers to have more confidence in what they are acquiring. Aprosoja MT conducts, first of all, various analyses through quality tests, forming a kind of database of the quality of seed lots that seed companies supply to the state of Mato Grosso. This generates more security for the producer, because he then has concrete data to evaluate,” Jean pointed out.
For producer Jean, the program contributes daily to improving planting quality and crop productivity.
“It’s very positive for the producer to have a technician available, who is our regional coordinator. He comes to the property, and we know it’s a job well done, with proper collection, sent to a credible laboratory. In this way, the producer can monitor the quality of the seeds he receives and validate which materials best suit the field. This helps a lot in day-to-day work because it contributes to ensuring better planting quality and, consequently, better productivity. Without a doubt, when you plant with higher quality seeds, the chance of obtaining a better return also increases. Finally, speaking about the Aprosoja MT program, it is very important for the producer. It is, in a way, a return on the very resources we contribute. The producer contributes to the entity, and Aprosoja MT returns this in quality services to those in the field,” he pointed out.
In the Tangará da Serra region, producer Josemar Rodrigues also highlighted that, during times of uncertainty, having the support of the program's analyses was fundamental in solving problems related to seed quality.
“I have already used the analyses carried out by the Semente Forte program and the experience was very positive. We even had problems at planting time when the seed didn't germinate correctly. At that moment, having the support of an analysis was fundamental, because it helped us to prove the problem and to get the seed company to replace the low-quality seed,” recalled Josemar.
According to Josemar Rodrigues, the analyses also assist Mato Grosso producers in making decisions regarding future purchases. “The analyses from the Semente Forte program also help in decision-making. Not only in the immediate moment, but especially in future purchases. With the results in hand, the producer can better assess which material is most suitable for their region. From these analyses, it is possible to identify which materials perform best and which fall short. Thus, the following year, when it comes time to choose the material to buy, the producer can consult their history, see which ones were best evaluated and which did not perform acceptably, discarding the materials that did not present the expected quality,” he explained.
The vice-president of Aprosoja Mato Grosso's western region, Gilson Antunes de Melo, also recounted his experience with the program and highlighted the importance of the analyses in providing greater security for producers. “We have already used the Semente Forte program, and it was extremely important because we had doubts about the germination of the seeds we had purchased. When it went to the laboratory, it gave us the certainty that the seeds were of good quality, and we planted an excellent crop stand, consequently resulting in a high-quality crop,” Gilson pointed out.
For Gilson, the main benefit of the program is precisely the security it provides to rural producers. He also left a message for the farmers.
“I think the main benefit it brings is security; the producer has the assurance that what he is planting will grow. So this sets a benchmark in the market for quality. And when there are many complaints about low-quality seeds, the market also becomes alert, as this can impact sales the following year. So, I think the main benefit is this security. The 'Strong Seed' program provides security for the producer to plant quality seeds. So, producer, do analysis not only through Aprosoja MT, but also at the seedbed on the farm. Because planting the crop is the first and most important step, because if the crop grows well, half the battle is already won,” he concluded.
Through the Semente Forte program, Aprosoja Mato Grosso reinforces its commitment to the quality of agricultural production in the state, offering technical support, reliable information, and security in producers' purchasing decisions.
