ISF brings together seed sector companies and organizations from around the world
For more information, see the Third Quarter issue of Seed Today.
The 2024 International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress May 27-29 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands broke records: 2,091 participants representing more than 600 companies and organizations from over 80 countries attended the centennial edition of the global seed industry’s flagship event.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands’ presence at the opening ceremony underscored the vital role the Dutch and the international seed sector play in global food security and sustainable agriculture.
“Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: international connections are absolutely vital in your sector,” he says. “Just as roots and vessels are vital for a plant. Without them, there would be no growth and no life.”
The presence of the FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol was a further testament to ISF’s role as the voice of the private seed sector at the international level.
“We want to collaborate more with ISF and other partners to better leverage science and innovation,” Bechdol states. “You are investing in R&D. You are leading advancements in crop genetics, data analytics, seed testing, and more. All of this should result in crop varieties that are more productive, resilient and nutritious.”
The King took a tour of the congress, co-hosted by Dutch seed association Plantum, visiting the Plantum pavilion in recognition of the country’s contribution to the global seed sector. The Netherlands is among the world’s leading exporters of vegetable seeds and planting material, sector valued at €5 billion last year.
“The Netherlands is a natural home of the seed sector,” says Niels Louwaars, managing director of Plantum. “Its globally traded innovation embedded in seeds contributes significantly to a number of Sustainable Development Goals. We are excited to build further on this into the future and drive forward a more productive and robust food system.”
The King also took the opportunity to meet representatives from the youth delegation who are part of the Next Generation Agriculture Impact Network (NGIN), composed of young professionals and students in the seed and agriculture sector. He also met with representatives from the national seed associations of Chile, Australia, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Collaboration and Innovation
ISF President Marco van Leeuwen emphasized the central role that plant breeders will continue to have in the next century.
“Whatever technology comes, it will not work without you: thousands of breeding and seed companies, hundreds of thousands of seedsmen and -women who are already for centuries dedicated to plant breeding, seed production, trade, and marketing,” van Leeuwen shares.
In a speech during the event, ISF Secretary General Michael Keller urged members to continue collaborating and innovating to address increasing hunger amid the climate crisis and geopolitical conflicts.
“You all, the seed people of today and tomorrow, are dedicated and responsible actors with long-term vision, patience, and perseverance,” Keller says.
“You are a crucial pillar in transforming agriculture over the next 100 years,” he adds.
“Navigating Into the Next Century”
Under the theme “Navigating into the Next Century,” panel discussions explored critical issues like de-globalization and the new global order of trade, plant breeding innovation regulatory challenges, public-private partnerships, climate change, and social polarization and fragmentation.
A clear message emerged: the seed sector, as the starting point of the food value chain, has a central role to play in addressing the world’s most pressing problems.
It must, however, also do its part to be a key player in international discussions on achieving food security and climate resilience.
Empowering the Future Generation
The presence and active participation of the Next Generation Agriculture Impact Network (NGIN) at the Congress showed that the future of agriculture and the seed sector is bright.
Led by Lian Biar Kuoirot, who spoke on behalf of the youth at the Opening Ceremony, NGIN delegates gave life to this year’s Future Generation corner – even getting the chance to meet His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.
Diverse Profiles of Women in Ag
At an interactive session during the Women’s Luncheon, speakers discussed the varied challenges women in agriculture face in the different stages of their careers: from finishing a PhD degree in plant science to just starting to build a career in a seed company, from returning from maternity leave and leading a team to travelling all over the world as the head of an international trade association.
During her opening speech, ISF Vice-President Lorena Basso, president and CEO of Basso Semillas in Argentina, shared ISF’s initiatives to support women in the seed and broader agricultural sectors, such as the ISF Women’s Mentorship Program.
Food Systems Transformation
The first Value Chain Forum held on May 27 aimed to foster close collaboration for food systems transformation among key stakeholders from the seed sector and the broader agri-food value chain.
With around 70 participants from food retailers, distributors, policymakers, regulators, farmers, ISF and external partners, the discussion focused on the seed sector’s role and value in food systems transformation.
A follow-up report will be released, identifying key partners and next steps.
World Seed Congress 2025
Preparations for the ISF World Seed Congress 2025 in İstanbul, Turkey are already underway and ISF is looking forward to welcoming everyone.
A major agricultural player, Turkey is a leading producer of wheat, sugar beet, cotton, vegetables, and fruit. Agriculture employs about 15% of the workforce and provides about 10% of exports.
The National Organizing Committee led by Tohum Sanayicileri ve Üreticileri Alt Birliği (TSÜAB) and Türkiye Tohumculuk Endüstrisi Derneğ (TURKTED) are ready to welcome delegates, exhibitors, and guests to their country.