66 / SEEDWORLD.COM INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2026 Beyond the Field: A Systems Approach to Sustainability The ISF concept paper underscores a central principle: sustain ability cannot be achieved through seed alone. It requires a sys tems approach integrating improved varieties with agronomic practices, technology and policy frameworks. To deliver meaningful change, innovation in seeds must go hand in hand with innovation in how those seeds are grown. Conservation tillage, precision agriculture and cover cropping can all amplify the environmental benefits of improved genetics. “A sustainable agricultural system isn’t defined by one tech nology,” Rivoire says. “It’s about how all the pieces fit together. Seeds are the foundation, but they must be supported by the right tools, knowledge and policies.” Governments and financial institutions play a critical role by providing incentives and investment that accelerate adoption. ISF calls for proportionate, science-based regulatory frameworks that allow innovation to reach the market while maintaining safety and public trust. “Science-based policy is the enabler of progress,” Rivoire says. “When regulatory systems are predictable and proportion ate, they give companies and researchers confidence to invest, and that investment drives solutions for farmers and the environ ment.” “Clear, fair regulations give innovators the green light to invest, transforming those investments into real-world solutions for farmers, consumers and the planet,” Belhaj-Fragnière says. Public-private collaboration is also essential. ISF highlights efforts like the World Seed Partnership, which brings together ISF, OECD, UPOV, ISTA and the World Farmers Organization to strengthen seed systems globally, particularly in climate-vulnera ble regions where access to high-quality seed remains limited. Seeds for All Farmers The benefits of seed innovation must reach farmers everywhere, from large commercial operations to smallholder communities across Africa and Asia. Climate-resilient seeds are described as a core solution for building more sustainable food systems, but access remains uneven. “Every farmer, no matter their scale or geography, deserves access to the best seeds science can provide,” Rivoire says. “That’s how we build resilience not just for individual farms, but for food systems as a whole.” Access to quality seed depends on international coopera tion and open trade. Harmonized policies and trade facilitation ensure high-quality seed reaches the regions where it is needed most. This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the G7-OECD effort to strengthen seed certification in Africa. “This partnership aims to improve seed quality, boost yields, expand access for smallholder farmers and facilitate trade, ultimately strengthening food security and building more resilient food systems,” Belhaj-Fragnière says. A Shared Responsibility The path forward is shared. Governments must create science- based policies. Financial institutions must support sustainable investment. Farmers must continue adopting practices that protect soil, water and biodiversity. And the seed sector must continue pushing the boundaries of innovation. The ISF papers serve as both a statement of intent and an invitation, a reminder that sustainability is not a distant goal but a process already underway, one that depends on collaboration across the entire value chain. “Our vision is a world where every seed sown contributes to a more sustainable planet,” Rivoire says. “Through innovation and collaboration, we can feed future generations while preserving the resources that sustain us,” Belhaj-Fragnière says. As agriculture faces mounting pressure to do more with fewer resources, seed’s role is clear. Seeds are the beginning of every crop, and the beginning of every sustainable solution. SW References https://worldseed.org/document/seed-sector-environmental-sustainability-agri-food-systems/ https://worldseed.org/document/navigating-the-evolution-of-plant-breeding-innovation/ https://worldseed.org/document/a-call-for-policy-actions-to-foster-plant-breeding-innovation/ Ben Rivoire is the sustainability and crop value chain manager at the International Seed Federation. Khaoula Belhaj-Fragnière is the regulatory affairs manager at the International Seed Federation.
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