Funding will support the preservation and use of plant genetic resources that underpin crop breeding and agricultural research.
The American Seed Trade Association welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Oct. 6 announcement of a $180 million investment in the National Plant Germplasm System, a network that preserves plant genetic resources for breeding and research.
The NPGS provides farmers, seed companies and researchers with access to diverse plant materials used to develop new varieties and advance agricultural innovation. ASTA has long advocated for investment in the system’s 22 seed bank facilities.
Strengthening Germplasm Resources
ASTA helped secure a provision in the 2018 Farm Bill directing USDA to implement the National Strategic Germplasm and Cultivar Collection Assessment and Utilization Plan. The plan identified needs for safeguarding the collections and expanding their use, according to a press release.
“Today’s announcement by USDA is a long-awaited moment for the seed industry,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and CEO. “ASTA has continuously highlighted the role the National Plant Germplasm System plays in the agricultural innovation pipeline. We commend the USDA’s efforts to strengthen and revitalize how we sustain, sequence, and safeguard this vital American resource. This development is a strong step forward, not just for the seed industry, but also for the entire agricultural economy, and ASTA remains committed to advocating for the future of the system.”
The system’s gene banks store, preserve and conduct research on plant materials that serve as a foundation for crop improvement. According to ASTA, the investment will strengthen the research and breeding capabilities needed to develop future seed products in the United States.
Supporting Variety Development
“This focused investment allows institutions and companies of all types to accelerate groundbreaking research to deliver the next-generation seed products and plant varieties to our country’s farmers,” said Keri Carstens, an ASTA board member. “By improving our research capabilities, the U.S. can maintain our leadership in farmer productivity to feed, fuel, and clothe the world.”
ASTA said maintaining a secure, accessible supply of publicly available plant material can lower barriers to innovation and expand the range of seed choices available to farmers.
