Instituto Nacional de Semillas (INASE Uruguay)
INASE Uruguay promotes the development of a competitive seed sector by encouraging the production and planting of highquality seed.
Objectives:
• To promote the production and use of the best quality seed, with proven identity and quality, stimulating the development of the national seed industry.
• To support the acquisition and use of new phytogenetics materials, as well as those of foreign origin that are suitable for the country’s conditions.
• To protect phytogenetics creations and discoveries by granting the corresponding property rights.
• To promote seed exports.
• To oversee compliance with the legal regulations in the field.
• To propose the enactment of regulations regarding the production, certification, commercialization, export, and import of seeds, as well as the protection of creations and discoveries.
Collaboration with FAO
INASE collaborates with FAO through national and international initiatives related to family farming, gender equality in agriculture, plant genetic resources, and farmers’ rights.
Uruguay’s National Family Farming Plan (PNAF) 2024–2028, developed with FAO support, provides a strategic framework implementing 52 measures aimed at strengthening family farming production systems.
INASE also participates in the National Gender Plan for Agricultural Policies, the main sectoral policy jointly developed by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) and FAO (2021–2024, updated for 2025–2029), which seeks to reduce gender gaps in rural areas.
Uruguay is a signatory to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), a legally binding instrument managed under the FAO framework and ratified through Law No. 17.942 on December 28, 2005.
In addition, INASE has collaborated in FAO workshops and activities related to Farmers’ Rights and climate change.
Areas of Expertise
- Farmers’ Rights
- plant genetic resources
- family farming
- climate change adaptation
- sustainable seed systems.
Categories: Enforcement , Quality seed , Seed certification , Seed systems , Variety registration , Sustainable agriculture , Biodiversity , Phytosanitary regulation , Agricultural innovation , Genetic resources