1. Manjit K Misra, Director, Seed Science Center, ISU
“Seed Security and Genetic Diversity Track”
Partnering for Growth Panel, Iowa Biotech Association
March 21, 2018

2. Key Trends Seed is not just the planting stock, but also the conveyor
A hungry, thirsty, warm, and crowded planet
Increased planting into cold soil (<10 ºC), snow or frost after planting
Prolonged exposure to cold, saturated conditions before emergence (3 weeks not uncommon)
Pressure from early season pests
Seed is not just the planting
stock, but also the conveyor
of new technology
Source: Imad Saab (Pioneer)

3. Seed Industry Trends Increasing global market, increasing global trade
Consolidation (top 5 seed companies had 9.4% market share in 1995 & % in 2011)
Large multinational concentrate on few major crops => lots of opportunities for SME’s
New Sectors: GM and Organic

4. Quality Seed Statistics
80% of farmers in many developing countries are not using quality seed
Average yield of maize in Africa is 1.5 tons/hectare compared to 5 times as much in developed countries, with the difference largely attributable to not using quality seed
Almost 50% of the farmers are women, yet they earn 10% of the income and receive 5% of all technical assistance in agriculture

5. “Quality Seed for All farmers”
VISION
“Quality Seed for All farmers”
to ensure food security
through seed security,
with particular sensitivity to women and children.

7. More than 135 faculty, staff, and graduate
students engaged in seed research and education

8. Research into environmental effects on seed quality and Risk Assessment
Genome fluidity in soybean seeds
Doesn’t follow normal Mendelian Laws
Genetic changes are stable and heritable
Impact of breeding on corn and soybean seed quality
Genome editing for crop improvement
A Data-Driven Approach to CRISPR Design
Genetically Engineered Food Crops
National & international frameworks for regulatory assessment
Seed Research
Dr. Susana Goggi

9. A GLOBAL CURRICULUM TO PREPARE TOMORROW’S INDUSTRY LEADERS9

10. Strengthened seed sector in more than 80 countries in past 25 years
Dr. Dileep Guntuku

11. Dr. Susana Goggi

12. To feed the future, we must first seed the future
“Quality Seed for All Farmers”
Thank you
To feed the future, we must first seed the future
Thank you. 12