LIVE from the World Championships in Rotterdam: The unique role of the seed sector in the Regen Ag debate

One of the main points of today’s sessions of the World Seed Congress was the question: “Where to get the seeds?” The Seed Sector in a Polarized and Divided World

Global debates on sustainable or regenerative agriculture and food systems transformation – as well as private sector engagement on both topics – appear to be growing exponentially. However, the conversation is increasingly polarized – producers versus consumers, food sovereignty advocates versus corporate giants, global versus local, etc. The reality is, of course, much more complex and nuanced. In this session, speakers outlined how the seed sector, in its role as a middle player, provides science-based solutions and arguably offers ways out of often unproductive discussions. Speakers included Hans Hoogeven, independent president of FAO; Robynne Anderson, CEO of Emerging Ag; Michael Hoevel, founder and director of Marchmont Communications; and Michael Keller, Secretary General of the ISF. The session was moderated by Jean-Paul Judson.

The seed industry faces challenges in shaping public opinion and implementing sustainable development goals. Speakers discussed the importance of integrity, cooperation and accountability of the private sector in achieving these goals. They also explored ways to improve the sector’s global reputation, including proactively solving problems, adopting a unified approach, and investing in start-ups and engaging young people. The main discussion centered around the need for the sector to take a more active role in driving change and resolving controversies to improve its reputation.

The most important statements of the speakers:

“The added value of the seed sector is the highest when it comes to food security when it comes to agriculture.” Hans Hoogeveen, Independent Chairman of FAO

“If the seed is not right, the harvest will never be right. There is nothing more diverse than the seed sector. Moreover, for some of the crops we work on in the private sector, there is nothing more diversified across the value chain. But the storytelling and engagement are not up to that level and that’s something we need to work on.” Michael Hoevel, managing director of Marchmont Communications

“Big actors get so much attention… but there are also thousands of family-owned businesses and smaller actors doing all sorts of extraordinary things.” Robynne Anderson, CEO of EmergingAg

On innovations in transmitting polarizing messages:

“I talk a lot about the difference between internal communication and external communication. The instinct of an organization is to communicate from the inside, so what do we care about? What products or services do we have that we want other people to try or get involved with? It’s a natural instinct and not necessarily a bad one. But communication must be balanced with external activities and therefore where are our audiences now? Are they even aware of the problem? Do they understand it? Do they support it? If not these three things? won’t take action to accommodate you?

What issues interest them? What are the safe, low-hanging fruit areas where there’s a common interest so that we don’t have to jump right into a polarized debate, where we can start the conversation from the inside in a way that moves us forward a little bit so that it’s not previously Acting on instinct, so communication from the outside, parallel to the inside. Michael Keller, Secretary General of the ISF