Sakata

Sakata’s goal in Almeria, to develop varieties for leading the most demanding seed market in the world

Sakata’s roadmap points to a clear direction: Almeria. The province, at the vanguard of fruit and vegetable production, can boast of one of the most specialized and demanding seed markets. The Japanese multinational, a leader in several open air crops, landed in Almeria in 2018 bringing one of what it is today its flagships: The Research and Production Centre at Puebla de Vícar. Javier Bernabéu, manager at Sakata Seed Ibérica, comments on how “Sakata is aiming at obtaining varieties that can lead Almeria’s market and growing together with farmers that have been specializing over 60 years in their profession”.

Sakata is aiming at obtaining varieties that can lead Almeria’s market and growing together with farmers that have been specializing over 60 years in their profession"

Focussing on what products are relevant for the area - pepper, tomato, courgette and cucumber - Sakata works both on specific improvement programs Almeria and on adapting to Almeria others that are being carried out for other markets. “Being familiar with the time required for plant improvement programs, we know it will be some years until we can achieve varieties that can lead the markets, but expect to see at least interesting progress on the short term”, adds Bernabeu.

Sakata’employees.

COVID-19 as an opportunity

Through this pandemic, Sakata has been proving its commitments towards guaranteeing the provision of seeds for the production of high quality fruits and vegetables for both national and international markets. “The ongoing crisis has showcased how vulnerable we are as a society, but also how strong is our food industry. Everyone quickly understood that farming couldn’t stop, so the strategy went for easing this process”, states Sakata’s manager.

Thanks to it we have managed to take one more step, making society understand that it can’t leave behind the industry that feeds it. “However, solutions to any problem should be found during favourable times, because during an emergency crisis there is only time to survive. As soon as we enter the new normal, it will be time to start working on adding value to our sector. This is an opportunity that should not be squandered”, concludes Bernabéu.