"Innovations in plant breeding are enabling us to develop plants that meet
the needs of a changing world," said Jean-Christophe Gouache, President of
the International Seed Federation (ISF) during his speech at the opening
ceremony of the ISF World Seed Congress 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. "This
is down to the 'power of genetics,'" he stressed. "Unlocking the potential
of genetic resources to produce more with less is the fantastic mission of
the seed industry over the coming decades." The congress, taking place from
June 3 to 6, 2018, gathered 1,200 delegates from 64 countries to discuss
about the opportunities and challenges facing the seed industry.

According to Gouache, in the earlier years, it was enough to use genetics to
improve the efficiency of agriculture. Today, it is necessary to also ensure
the resiliency and sustainability of the farming systems. "Yes, the 'power
of genetics' can deliver on both efficiency and sustainability," he
concluded.

"The responsibility for delivering higher yields and more nutritious food
rests on the innovation that the seed industry brings to world food
production," said Hon. Senator James McGrath, Assistant Minister to the
Australian Prime Minister to the delegates. He lauded the organizations for
supporting the food chain globally and for driving innovation in food and
feed production.

[www.worldseed.org]
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