b'SINCE YOU ASKEDBY: NIELS LOUWAARSMYTH: PRIVATE BREEDINGCAN FEED THE WORLDT he public sector still takes a majoror by lack of understanding of the valuetheir customers, the farmers, through place in the global plant breedingof these new varieties.their sales network; they know how to efforts. Variety development startedBut are farmers that do not adoptvalue breeding programmes based on in Western Europe in the private sectora new variety always conservative, orthe seed sales and the strategic vision and the public sector in that region focusescould there also be something wrongof future needs, and they make sure on breeding research only. In the U.S.,with the varieties themselves? During athat sufficient good basic seed is avail-breeding of many crops is done at Land- recent FAO conference Ian Barker, head ofable. And when they are supported by Grant universities and in most developingSeed Equal bravely confirmed that publiceffective high-level breeding research, countries, breeding of the major food cropsbreeding has a challenge in knowing whatand responsive regulatory frameworks is mainly done at national research insti- farmers need. The disappearance of effec- and quality control agencies, they can do tutes with support from international cen- tive public extension services left publicthe job much better. The answer to that tres of the CGIAR. Private breeding couldbreeders in many countries also withoutquestion is not a simple yes, because the be considered a next development phase.a clear link with the actual farmers needs.private sector can only work sustainably The CGIAR is still credited for theThis exacerbated the already existingfor customers. Customers are farmers Green Revolution (and discredited byproblem of public breeders at the nationalwho are able to pay a price for the seed those pointing at negative outcomes atlevel, that breeders actually dependedthat includes a markup for the breeding social and environmental levels) in thequite a bit on objectives set in the CGIARand basic seed production efforts. That 1960s and 70s. Short straw wheat and rice,centres, which might not correspond withis feasible only for a limited number of developed by CIMMYT and IRRI wererealities of farmers at the national level.crops and certain types of farmers.indeed game changers. Farmer adop- Another big challenge for breeders inThis means that the private sector, tion was strongly supported by policiesthe public sector at (inter)national levelsshould not be dismissive of public sector promoting farmer extension, subsidiesis that they are working in a researchbreeding. Instead, it should be proud of and the promotion of farmer-to-farmerenvironment. Researchers are primarilythe breeders at national research stations exchange of farm-saved seed. This wasvalued on their publications. Breeders areand support them where possible. And followed by massive investments by Worlda special breed of researchers who pro- cooperate with them, not just to bene-Bank and UNDP in setting up public seedduce varieties rather than publications.fit from their knowledge of the farming production schemes from which also offi- National level breeders are commonlysystems in their countries and from the cial certification institutions emerged.appraised on the number of varieties thatmaterials that may be adapted to such The extension services were to distrib- are formally released, not by their wide- conditions, but also to share knowledge ute the seed to farmers. These publicspread use by farmers. This also providesas a responsible colleague! They have an seed schemes invariably collapsed, andfor an explanation why maintenanceimportant role to play in supporting agri-the extension systems fell victim to thebreeding and overseeing the productioncultural development and food security, Structural Adjustment Policies in theof pre-basic and basic seed is a majorin particular in areas that we are unable 1990s. That left CGIAR and the nationalissue. Maintaining your varieties, or evento reach with our products. We have a breeders with a lack of outlet of their newyour predecessors varieties yield neitherlot of knowledge of the different areas of varieties. Breeding without an effectivepublications nor new releases, so whybreeding and reaching farmers, but we seed production and distribution system,spend your time on it. And seed produc- have to be humble, and realise that we is quite a futile exercise. The CGIAR nowtion does not fit in the task of a researchcannot supply the right seeds for over a realized that and started a new initiativeorganization anyway. In countries wherebillion farmers!Seed Equal to promote seed initiativesa diverse seed production sector is active that take the new public varieties to farm- based on public varieties, basic seed pro- Niels Louwaars is the Managing ers. This still appears to fit in the ideavision can be a major bottleneck.Director at Plantum. This article does that farmer adoption of new varietiesA simple answer would be: why notnot necessarily reflect the views of all either is caused by lack of access to seedleave it to the private sector? They knowPlantum members.10IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'