Here’s how we need to build global brainpower, one breeder at a time.
One of the global seed sector’s biggest challenges isn’t what we face — it’s who we have to face it. We need more innovation, more leadership, and more vision than ever, especially in plant breeding. But here’s a worrisome statistic: a national survey of U.S. public-sector plant breeding programs conducted in 2018 showed almost half of program leaders were nearing retirement age. How do we build the next generation of plant breeding innovators and leaders? And how do we make sure they’re not just trained — but informed, connected and ready to drive real impact?
That’s where experts like Dr. Jovan Djordjevic, Director of the Plant Breeding Academy at UC Davis, come in. He’s helping shape the next wave of global plant breeders, so we called him up to find out how. He says the gap in breeding capacity keeps him awake at night, but he also says there are clear paths to overcome the challenges. If you care about the future of seed, science, and feeding the world, this conversation is a must-watch.
