I recently came across yet another publication stating that ‘Over 75% of the crop species of global significance for food production rely on animal pollination, primarily insects (up to 84% of commercial crops only in Europe)…’. The publication also talked about a ‘…pollinators crisis which was acce
The global food system is increasingly at risk from climate change, even as farmers work to adapt, according to a June 18 study in Nature.Contrary to earlier research suggesting warming might boost food production, the new study estimates that each additional degree Celsius of global warming could r
The James Hutton Institute is a global leader in potato research and breeding, pioneering the development of new potato varieties with improved agronomic traits and greater resilience to challenges such as diseases, drought, and extreme temperatures. Their cutting-edge work supports more sustainable
The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP) secured £9.1 million (€11 million) from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) to fund SyncSol, an innovative project focused on optimizing plant genomes. This research aims to develop crops that can capture more CO₂ or
They called them "orphan crops" — ignored, underfunded, forgotten. Now Rita Mumm is turning them into weapons in a war against hunger.The post One Woman. One Mission. And a Movement That’s Rewriting Africa’s Future appeared first on Seed World.Rita Mumm needs no introduction. She was the first presi
Gene editing should be allowed in organic crop cultivation to boost yields and promote more sustainable farming practices, according to an international research team led by scientists at the University of Bayreuth. In a recent article published in Cell Reports Sustainability, the team advocates for
Fourteen genebanks are depositing 11,206 seed samples this week in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, including vegetables and traditional crops vital both for cultural heritage and for nutrition and climate resilience.The world’s largest crop diversity repository will receive seeds of cultural staples
To meet the European Green Deal’s target of reaching 25% organic agriculture by 2030, researchers advocate for permitting new genomic techniques (NGTs) — such as gene editing — without requiring pre-market authorization, both in organic and conventional farming. While NGTs are currently classified a
Researchers at The James Hutton Institute have found that a naturally occurring fungus in common grasses may offer solutions to key challenges facing UK farmers. Known as Epichloë, this endophytic fungus lives within plant tissues, and some species have been shown to enhance drought tolerance and pr
Although spring has just begun, the Netherlands is already grappling with drought-related challenges, affecting both nature and agriculture. Emma Knol, a Climate Resilient Agriculture researcher at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), is developing a tool that highlights the impact of climate cha
Funded by Sofiprotéol, the TEMPO project (short for Sunflower’s adaptation to new environments with low TEMPerature and Oxygen level) brings together five partners, including three breeding companies — SOLTIS, RAGT, and MAS SEEDS. The project’s goal is to support the expansion of sunflower cultivati
The James Hutton Institute has joined a groundbreaking new research initiative, Assessing Sugar Kelp Extracts as a Nutrient Management Tool (SKE-NMT), aimed at exploring seaweed’s potential to improve crop nutrition and soil health.Led by Algapelago Marine Ltd in partnership with Atlantic Maricultur
The G7 and OECD embark on a project to boost seed quality. Why It MattersAfrica faces some of the most pressing food security challenges in the world. While the continent holds vast agricultural potential, millions still suffer from hunger due to underdeveloped agricultural systems, reliance on impo
How genetics are best preserved in an era of concentration.Preservation of genetic diversity has long been on the agenda of the European seed sector, as it has been for the sector on a global scale, and both larger and smaller players continue to make it a priority.As seed sector consolidation conti
A new report from the British Ecological Society combines the insights of over 40 academics, practitioners, and farmers across the UK to evaluate the evidence that regenerative agriculture practices can deliver positive outcomes, such as enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity, and reducing env
More than 115 organizations have supported the call from 153 Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates for a “moonshot” initiative to combat rising hunger worldwide. Released earlier this year, the letter highlights the urgent need for agricultural innovation to prevent a hunger crisis in the next 25 yea
Seed output from Zambia will supply 6.4 million Sub-Saharan African smallholders with high-yielding maize seeds in 2025, and up to 10 million by 2030.Bayer has announced the opening of a new maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia. Through the 32-million-euro facility alongside further investments in o
The AGRI4POL project, part of Horizon Europe, seeks to transform agriculture from a threat to pollinators into a driver of biodiversity, ecosystem health, and crop pollination services.Pollinators and the vital pollination services they provide for agriculture and human well-being face global threat
Thirty-four practices have been assessed for their environmental and climate impacts after screening 14,000 scientific papers.The JRC has unveiled the Farming Practices Evidence Library, a comprehensive dataset that gathers scientific insights on the environmental and climate impacts of various farm
On Feb. 19, the European Commission unveiled its Vision for Agriculture and Food, a bold roadmap for the future of farming and food in Europe. This plan aims to build an attractive, competitive, resilient, and fair agri-food system for both current and future generations of farmers and agri-food ope
As representatives from over 150 countries gathered in Rome for the resumed session of the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16.2), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) urred bold action to transform agrifood systems in support of global biodiversity goals. Ahead of t
Euroseeds welcomes the European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food as a significant step toward a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food sector. The roadmap aims to create a fair and future-oriented food production system, supporting both current and future generations of f
The European approach to agricultural regulation is often seen as a model of success, notes Bill Wirtz, senior policy analyst for the Consumer Choice Center based in Washington, D.C. “But I’m here to tell you—it’s not the case.” Wirtz, who hails from Luxembourg, opened today’s CropConnect conference
Future conditions will favor the growth of chickpeas and oranges, while some key crops may become more difficult to cultivate in agricultural heartlands.While climate change is expected to present significant challenges to agriculture in the coming decades, it could also open the door to the widespr
