Global Conference on Green Development of Seed Industries Opening Remarks

Global Conference on Green Development of Seed Industries

Opening Remarks

By

 Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General of FAO 

As prepared

4 November 2021

 

Excellences, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I start saying that congrats to all your efforts make this conference happening after 12 years, good harvest depends on good seeds.

1.         The world is facing a global population rise - that is expected to reach about 10 billion by 2050!

 

2.         We need to produce 50% more food to adequately feed everyone.

 

3.         The only way to achieve this target is by increasing crop productivity, through science and innovation.  USDA Sec Tom Vilsack made statement yesterday: “ increase productivity is essential and we need to do so sustainably with science based decisions. It has to be good for farmers, for consumers and for the planet.”

 

4.         With innovative technologies and new business models we can do so in a sustainable manner, to protect our planet, our limited natural resources and biodiversity.

 

5.         And ensure profitability and social equality.

 

6.         We need to adapt our agri-food systems to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, and to reduce our environmental footprint.

 

7.         Food insecurity has been increasing over the past six years.

 

8.         In 2020, almost 2 billion people did not have regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.

 

9.         And up to 811 million people are currently facing hunger.

 

10.       We need to speed up action, be efficient and effective, and coherent.

 

11.       We must produce more - more quantity and more food diversity with higher quality,

 

12.       With less - less inputs of resources and less impacts on the environment.

 

13.       All the SDGs can be achieved, including SDG1 no poverty and SDG2 zero hunger.

 

14.       But we need to do things differently. Business as usual is no longer an option.

 

15.       FAO’s new Strategic Framework for 2022-2031 supports the 2030 Agenda.

 

16.       Through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

 

17.       For Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.

 

18.       This Global Seed Conference will contribute to the Four Betters, especially Better Production, for which “better seeds” are fundamental.

19.       There are no good crops without good seeds.

 

20.       Seeds are the foundation of agri-food systems.

 

21.       We rely on seeds to produce food, feed, fibre, fuel, and they contribute to a friendly environment.

 

22.       Seeds play a crucial role in promoting food security and healthy foods, including food quality and food safety.

 

23.       And in supporting farmers’ livelihoods, economic growth and rural development.

 

24.       An improved and resilient crop variety can deliver a good and nutritious yield.

 

25.       We need Green Innovation for sustainable agri-food systems - and to lay the path to Green Agriculture.

 

26.       Green Agriculture is a fundamental approach for sustainable agri-food systems.

 

27.       It will ensure food security, improve human wellbeing, create opportunities for employment and decent work for all, and protect the planet, now and in the future.

 

28.       Today’s Global Conference focuses on the green development of the seed industry, with  four major objectives:

•          First, increase awareness of the contributions of the seed industry to green innovation for sustainable crop production.

•          Second, promote cooperation among sectors, especially as a means to enhance public-private partnerships and international cooperation to enable greater access to resources, and sharing of knowledge and information.

•          Third, commit to setting new priorities and targets for mobilizing scientific, technical, and financial resources to strengthen seed systems; and

•          Fourth, encourage constructive debate on innovation and to share updated knowledge and evidence - research and development are key drivers for improved crop varieties.

Dear Colleagues,

 

29.       FAO is a technical organization that generates, facilitates and promotes professional knowledge.

 

30.       And provides a neutral global platform for scientific and evidence based knowledge-sharing, including on affordable quality seeds, and planting materials of well-adapted and nutritious crop varieties.

 

31.       To support this work, we have identified five key themes to be covered over the next two days:

•          One, advanced technologies: including modern biotechnologies, such as gene editing and genetic improvement, are important tools for generating superior crop varieties. 

•          Two, conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, both in nature and in gene banks, and relevant data must be made available for research and breeding programmes.

•          Three, crop varietal development and adoption: plant breeding should be encouraged as it generates progressively superior crop varieties adapted to different stress environments and requiring less external inputs.

•          Four, seed systems: fit-for-purpose seed systems for delivering context-specific cropping systems solutions to farmers should become the norm; and

•          Five, policy and governance effective policies, legislation and regulations must be in place to enable all relevant stakeholders to engage beneficially in the seed value chain. 

 

32.       Governments are the key drivers to eradicate hunger.

 

33.       They should launch national seed actions to strengthen the seed value chain, and FAO will continue to support governments to develop and implement national policies, regulations and laws to create predictability and foster confidence in seed systems.

 

34.       Over the next couple of days, prominent speakers will present their insights on developing and delivering solutions to farmers, to set the scene for a robust exchange of ideas.

 

35.       Ministers from different regions will share their thoughts on initiatives and policies aimed at making quality seeds of priority productive, nutritious and resilient crop varieties available to farmers.

 

36.       Participants will discuss progress on the various aspects of the seed industry value chain,

 

37.       And make recommendations to guide global work to promote the green development of global seed industries, in support of the 2030 Agenda.

 

38.       We only have nine harvests ahead of us before we reach our 2030 agenda.  Let us sow the new seeds for promising future now!

 

39.       FAO is committed to leverage the momentum generated by this conference to transform the evidence provided into action on the ground.

 

40.       Thank you.