b'Five Years and BeyondA KSO HISTORY LESSON With the next five years of strategic objectives finalized, Coles confesses this is where the hard part starts.The first set of Key Strategic Objectives under ISFfromThis was just the first step, Coles says. 2016-2020focused on five different areas: innovation,Implementation is now where all the hard work starts.the movement of seed, intellectual property rights,In March 2021, ISF held its annual March Meetings, biodiversity and engagement. One key idea was facingwhere Coles notes the committees began implementing the issue of producing more with less.the KSOs. My goal for the next two years is to support the ISF Jean-Christophe Gouache, ISF president from 2016- team, Coles says. We have a small, but expert techni-2018, said that the No. 1 factor to relieve those pressurescal team in Switzerland who can carry this forward, but is genetics and plant breeding, and the seed sector playstheir work is dependent upon the contribution that they a significant role in delivering those solutions. get from all the team members within each committee. My objective is to support them in any way we possibly can and to ensure that the actions related to KSOs keep Coles notes that what the seed sector doesnt want ismoving at pace.nontariff trade barriers created for political or economicWhen Keller looks to the future of the seed sector, hes reasons.optimistic. In early 2020, when the COVID-19 shutdowns began,One thing happened during COVID; seed was rec-ISF was outspoken about ensuring the lines for the move- ognized as essential for food production, Keller says. ment of seed stayed completely open.Thats huge for our sector and it helps us to intensify our One of the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemicengagement with the food production chain. Many people was that it showed how important safe and efficientforget that food production is an everyday business. We movement of seed is, Keller says. COVID-19 pushedcan all leverage the learnings of 2020the seed sector more governments and more private sectors to cooperatewill use this to further engage and support food produc-and trust each other more than they previously had. tion as a foundational contributor beyond 2020. 50GERMINATION.CAJULY 2021'