Filmmaker Hidde Boersma: Why High-Yield Innovation Belongs at the Centre of Sustainability

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/16/2026

This two-part interview with Dutch science journalist and filmmaker Dr. Hidde Boersma examines how a 1970s “harmony with nature” narrative came to define sustainability by promoting less growth and less technology. Boersma argues this mindset undermines high-yield agriculture, plant breeding and foo

CornPheno Uses AI to Measure Corn Ear Traits with a Smartphone

Seed World Staff on 01/15/2026

CornPheno is a smartphone-based AI system that measures key corn ear traits—kernels per ear, rows per ear and kernels per row—directly in field conditions. Developed by Hao Lu’s team and reported in Plant Phenomics (15 October 2025), it outperformed several counting models and maintained strong accu

Ghana–Netherlands Partnership Targets Quality Vegetable Seed for Farmers

Seed World Staff on 01/14/2026

Ghana launched the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP) on 29 October 2025 in Accra, deepening Ghana–Netherlands agribusiness cooperation. The initiative unites 13 public, private and research partners to modernize Ghana’s vegetable seed sector, improve access to quality seed and inputs, and boost horticult

European NGT Regulations: Risks of Divergence and Adhocracy

David Zaruk – Seed World Columnist on 01/14/2026

UK, EU and Swiss NGT regulations due by 2026 remain fragmented and incoherent. The UK uses a product-based, two-tier system with lighter rules for precision breeding. The EU and Switzerland retain process-based, ad hoc approaches driven by activist pressure, creating patent uncertainty, research fli

Scientists Uncover Shared Genetic Adaptations in Barley and Wheat

Seed World Staff on 01/14/2026

Researchers from The James Hutton Institute’s International Barley Hub and an INRAE-UCA-led consortium have found genomic evidence of convergent selection in barley and wheat. Published in Nature Plants, the study analysed 1,300+ barley and wheat lines, identifying shared variants linked to developm

Genome-Based Models Predict Rapeseed Flowering Time and Yield

Seed World Staff on 01/13/2026

A study in Horticulture Research shows that optimized genomic prediction models can accurately forecast flowering time, yield traits and oil content in rapeseed using genome-wide data. By integrating GWAS-linked variants with statistical and machine-learning methods, researchers achieved over 90% ac

Top 10 Best Read Stories on Seed World Europe in 2025

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/12/2026

Discover Seed World Europe’s most-read seed sector stories of 2025. After a year of coverage on innovation, policy shifts, industry debate and the people driving change, these articles rose above the rest—sparking conversation and topping our traffic charts. Join our countdown from number 10 to the

Copa-Cogeca: Organic Framework Proposal Progress, But Key Gaps Remain

Seed World Staff on 01/09/2026

Copa-Cogeca welcomed the European Commission’s targeted proposal to amend parts of the EU organic framework, but said major gaps remain. The organisation regretted that key recommendations were not addressed in the basic act, including broiler strain harmonisation and clearer rules for pig outdoor a

CRISPR Switch Boosts Wheat Yield and Resistant Starch

Seed World Staff on 01/09/2026

A Chinese study has identified TaJAZ1 as a key gene behind the wheat yield–nutrition trade-off. Using CRISPR to deactivate TaJAZ1, researchers produced wheat lines with significantly higher grain yield and nearly double the resistant starch content. Published in The Crop Journal (8 November 2025), t

2026 Named International Year of the Woman Farmer

Seed World Staff on 01/08/2026

FAO has launched the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, a global campaign to recognise women’s essential contributions to agrifood systems and accelerate action to close persistent gender gaps. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, the initiative will drive policy reform, investment and p

CropLife Europe Calls for Faster, Science-Based EU Approval Processes

Seed World Staff on 01/08/2026

CropLife Europe said the European Commission’s Food and Feed Safety Omnibus is a chance to modernise EU crop protection approvals while maintaining strong consumer and environmental safeguards. It warned that no new conventional active substances have been approved in six years and the toolbox has s

Europe Moves Toward New Gene-Editing Rules as UK Leads Regulatory Shift

Seed World Staff on 01/08/2026

Europe’s crop biotech policy is shifting as New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), including gene editing, gain support for delivering climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, pest-resistant crops. Regulation remains fragmented: the UK has enacted a precision breeding pathway, the EU is in final NGT negotiations,

From Seed to Food: FAO’S First Universal Expo

Franco Brazzabeni – Seed World Columnist on 01/07/2026

From Seed to Food, the first FAO Universal Exposition in Rome (October) celebrated FAO’s 80 years of global action to end hunger and strengthen food security. The event showcased the full agri-food value chain—from research and seeds to farming, processing, and consumers—highlighting innovation need

EU Member States Back NGT Rules, Boosting Innovation in Plant Breeding

Seed World Staff on 01/07/2026

Europe’s seed sector has welcomed EU Member States’ agreement on the Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), calling it a decisive step toward more innovative, competitive and resilient European agriculture. Euroseeds said the endorsement of the trilogue compromise sends a strong signal in supp

Why Crop Diversity Matters More Than Ever for Europe’s Agricultural Future

Seed World Staff on 01/06/2026

Europe’s seed market is consolidating fast—raising urgent questions about innovation, resilience, and food security. Nearly 80% of Europe’s arable land is planted to just four crops: corn, wheat, oilseed rape, and sunflower. Seed World Europe spoke with Régis Fournier, former Limagrain Field Seeds C

Tired of Competing on Price? Start Competing on Status

Shawn Brook - Seed World Group President on 01/06/2026

High-status brands don’t win faster sales through louder promotions—they win through clearer stories that build trust. Status means being seen as an expert guide, not a replaceable vendor, leading buyers to seek advice instead of discounts. A strong narrative centers the customer, defines their real

You Can’t Fake Caring

Shawn Brook - Seed World Group President on 01/05/2026

Authentic connection is harder than ever in a world of endless options. Just like dating apps proved that more access doesn’t equal better relationships, business leaders are learning that reach and volume don’t create resonance. Real impact comes from quality interactions, not touchpoints. Prioriti

Editors Pick: Myths in and Around the Seed Sector

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/05/2026

Seed World Europe’s misinformation series tackles the persistent myths that distort public understanding of plant breeding, crop protection, and modern seed systems. Covering topics from hybrids, GMOs, and pollinators to plant breeders’ rights, biologicals, organic agriculture, and misinformation it

Editors Pick: Giant Views Columns

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/04/2026

Seed World Europe’s Giant Views column closes every issue by giving the final page to the voices shaping the seed sector. Industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and policy experts share candid, thought-provoking perspectives on agriculture’s biggest challenges and opportunities—from how humans s

Editors Pick: EU Presidencies

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/03/2026

Seed World Europe continues to follow each rotating EU Council Presidency to keep readers up to date on the shifting political priorities shaping plant breeding, seed legislation, and agricultural innovation. In our five most recent pieces—covering Spain (July–Dec. 2023), Belgium (Jan–June 2024), Hu

Editors Pick: The Risk Corner

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/02/2026

Seed World Europe proudly features the columns of Professor David Zaruk, a Brussels-based expert in environmental health-risk policy who challenges conventional thinking. Known for sharp analysis, out-of-the-box ideas, and occasional provocation, he dissects EU debates shaping agriculture and regula

Editors Pick: Crop Breeding Articles on Forage & Turf Crops

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 01/01/2026

Seed World Europe’s crop spotlight series spans 30+ species and shines a light on the vital world of forage and turf breeding. These crops support livestock systems, soil health, carbon storage, and the green spaces around us. Our features explore breeder challenges—boosting resilience, persistence,

Editors Pick: Sense, Nonsense and Science Columns

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 12/31/2025

Seed World Europe features the columns of Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, for readers who appreciate science with clarity, curiosity, and wit. Known for demystifying chemistry and challenging misinformation, Joe brings an engaging, no-nonsense voice

Editors Pick: Crop Breeding Articles on Field Crops

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 12/30/2025

Seed World Europe’s ongoing field crop series—now featuring more than 30 spotlighted crops—shows how breeders are pushing the boundaries of innovation in the world’s most important crops. Each article explores the realities of modern breeding, from unlocking new genetic diversity and battling emergi