b'PARTNER CONTENTDiversifying Crops to Support the Agroecological TransitionAN INTERVIEW WITH PIERRE FLYE-SAINTE-MARIE, CEO OF MAS SEEDSM AS Seeds is focusing on cropEurope and regulatory changes will only diversification to strengthen itsincrease the need. For cover crops, obli-development in the coming years.gations or incentives exist everywhere What does this involve? and even without it, it is in the interest AtMASSeeds,diversificationof farmers to use cover crops, given the includes several crops and mixturesevolution of the price of fertilizers and raw of species that we have been develop- materials. The second area of growth is ing for several years: alfalfa, soybeans,the protein autonomy in France: in par-rapeseed, sorghum, fodder mixtures andticular, in connection with the European cover crops, as well as cereals. The expe- Protein Plan, we want to expand our soy-rience weve gained since 2016 in Italybean and rapeseed portfolio for the local has brought us to develop this portfoliosectors of non-GMO oils and cakes, such throughout southern Europe. Today, thisas Graines dAlliance, a soybean process-set of crops and mixtures represents 10%ing factory belonging to Maisadour and of MAS Seeds turnover and offers sig- Vivadour Cooperatives in the south-west nificant growth opportunities. We wantFrance that aims to supply the animal to continue developing our crop diver- nutrition market with GMO-free and 100% sification portfolio to meet the needs oflocal soybean meal.preserving the soil structure, nitrogen supply, carbon sequestration, improving pollination or fighting pests. Many of thoseHOW TO MAKE THIS SHIFT?issues are related to the agroecologicalwant to extend it to the European levelWe are part of a Cooperative Group, which transition. and therefore increase our investments.is an essential element to ensure the tran-Acquired in 2016, the MAS Seeds site insition to an agriculture that is both pro-WHAT ROLE CAN MAS SEEDSSan Pietro di Morubio, Italy, specializ- ductive and agroecological. Because it PLAY IN THIS TRANSITION? ing in fodder and plant cover mixtures,requires a lot of resources and know-how, Our obvious mission is to provide seeds.will multiply its production capacity thisboth internal and external. Thats why We want our seeds to be innovative andautumn to supply both the Italian marketweve put collaboration at the heart of our above all, sustainable. The central ques- and neighboring countries. We are alsostrategy. We have acquired delegations tion is: what products can improve the sus- investing in developing and marketing thefor the European market on seed varie-tainability of maize and sunflower crops,diversification crop portfolio by creatingties from all over the world. Our teams are for example, allow them to resist the lackpositions and increasing partnerships.working on the development and techni-of water, climatic hazards, use less ferti- cal positioning of these seeds in the local lizer, less chemical products, less insecti- WHAT IS THE DEMAND INenvironment. In addition to the cover crop cides? Companion plants respond to manyEUROPEAN MARKET? portfolio, we develop soybeans, rapeseed, of these issues and our Italian teams haveThe market for covers crops and otheralfalfa or sorghum to diversify the crop developed know-how in this field. We nowdiversification crops is growing all overrotation. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 35'