Seed sampling in focus: VSZT and Nébih held a training day

The delegated authority activity opens up the opportunity for sector players to actively engage in sampling, field inspection and laboratory seed testing under official supervision.

These activities, within the framework provided by the legislation, promote the faster placing of metal-sealed seeds on the market in the seed certification process, improve the competitiveness of the companies concerned in the export market and enable the rapid service of domestic seed buyers with quality metal-sealed seeds.

The activities carried out under the delegated authority are subject to strict conditions, one of the most important elements of which is the training and examination system.

Tradition-creating training in Sárbogárd

“The association considers every initiative that involves the professional training of sector players and contributes to increasing the competitiveness of companies to be important. The Seed Act and its regulations contain detailed regulations regarding delegated activities. Our goal is to comply with the legal requirements and to assist the work of companies and colleagues performing delegated activities. In the future, we will organize a dedicated training day each year in cooperation with Nébih colleagues to support all three seed certification sub-areas: field inspection, sampling and laboratory seed testing.”

– explained Gábor Polgár, Executive Director of the Seed Association Interprofessional Organization and Product Council.

As stated by Péter Varga, Laboratory Manager of the host Alisca-Mag Kft., Head of the VSZT Delegated Authority Working Group: in accordance with the decisions made at previous meetings of the board, the development of the annual training program system has begun. Consultations were held with the competent directorate of Nébih and agreements were reached on education, training and examination issues. Accordingly, the first sampling training was expected for those seed colleagues who had previously applied to the plant production authority for delegated authority sampling, but had not yet received education or taken the exam. On the other hand, those for whom the triennial exam is due.

The meeting was not only excellent for gaining knowledge and exchanging experiences

“The Sárbogárd workshop was the first time that we organized an event where theoretical education and exams were combined. This was a very good solution from a professional perspective and for work organization reasons, since almost 50 people came to Sárbogárd, for example. They presented theoretical knowledge at the event, and the day created a good opportunity to deepen their practical knowledge and exchange experiences with each other. Sampling is a very important and integral part of seed certification: in fact, laboratory tests are carried out from the samples prepared here, which is why it is very important to sample a seed lot in such a way that it is representative, i.e. reflects the quality of that lot very well.”

– emphasized Gábor Kokavecz, Head of the Nébih Seed Supervision Department.

This year, the field day will be held in Monorierdő, at the Nébih Variety Breeding Station, in the second half of May, and the seed testing training day will be held in October.