The seed sector can no longer afford to think only about seeds.
At World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon, one of the strongest themes emerging from conversations across the global industry was the growing need for the seed sector to see itself as part of a much larger food systems conversation: one that includes sustainability, regulation, resilience, public trust, and the future of food itself.
In an interview recorded at Congress, ISF Value Chain Coordination Group Chair Eduard Fito spoke candidly about why that shift is becoming increasingly important.
“The seed sector cannot operate in isolation anymore,” Fito explained, pointing to rising regulatory pressure and the need for stronger engagement with policymakers, food companies, and other stakeholders across the value chain.
According to Fito, one of the first priorities of ISF’s newly formed Value Chain Coordination Group was to better understand the concerns and priorities shaping the wider food industry. What quickly became clear was that conversations around sustainability and innovation are no longer happening in silos — and the seed sector needs a stronger voice within them.
The interview explores how the industry is working to build a more unified narrative around agriculture’s contribution to society, while also highlighting the critical role seed innovation plays in food security, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
“We are not an isolated industry,” Fito said. “We are part of something bigger.”
For seed companies navigating increasing complexity around regulation, public perception, and market expectations, the conversation offers an important look at where industry thinking may be headed next. Watch the full interview above from World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon.
