Superior Seeds: A New Path Towards Food Sovereignty
When food security is discussed, attention is often directed towards fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation, or agricultural machinery. All of these are important. However, there is one source of productivity that is already at work even before crops are planted in the field: the genetic capability carried by the seeds.
Amidst climate change, water scarcity, uncertainty in fertiliser supply, and the pressure of pests and diseases, increasing food production is not enough by simply relying on additional inputs. We also need to strengthen the capability of the plants themselves so they remain productive as the growing environment becomes increasingly unfavourable.
This is where ‘genetic gain’ becomes essential. Simply put, this term refers to continuous progress in producing varieties that are better than previous generations. New varieties are required not only to be high-yielding but also to be more water-efficient, more efficient in using nutrients, and more resistant to drought, pests, and diseases. The periodic development of superior varieties is indeed the core strategy for facing climate change, fertiliser shortages, and increasing pressure from plant pests.
One Advancement, Many Solutions
The strength of developing superior varieties lies in their ability to address several problems simultaneously. Drought-resistant varieties can help maintain yields when water availability is limited. Nutrient-efficient varieties can reduce the need for fertilisers. Meanwhile, varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases can reduce the use of pesticides. This means that not every production problem must always be answered by adding external inputs. Some problems can be resolved from within the plant itself through the superior traits carried by the variety.
Imagine food crops that continue to produce high yields even though they require less water. These plants would also be able to utilise nutrients more efficiently and possess better resistance to pest and disease disturbances. A single variety with a range of superior traits can serve as a way to solve many production problems at once.
This capability becomes increasingly important in facing climate change. When El Niño or droughts occur, for example, the main issue is not just how to provide more water, but also how to have crops that are capable of using water more sparingly.
Therefore, the development of drought-resistant varieties should not be viewed as a research agenda far removed from the farmers’ problems. On the contrary, that is where one of the bastions of food security is built: harvests can be maintained even when the environment changes.
From Input Dependency to Plant Independence
Fertilisers provide a very clear example. When supplies are disrupted and prices rise due to global dynamics, farmers are placed in a vulnerable position. If productivity can only be maintained through the use of high amounts of fertiliser, our production security becomes dependent on the availability of those inputs.
The solution is certainly not to eliminate fertilisers, as plants still require nutrients. However, we can reduce that vulnerability by producing varieties that are more economical and efficient in using nutrients.
Furthermore, plants can be developed to work more effectively with beneficial microorganisms around the roots. These microorganisms help plants obtain nutrients and utilise available resources in the soil. Thus, plants would not solely depend on inorganic fertilisers as their only nutrient source. The idea of varieties that are nutrient-efficient while being able to utilise the help of soil microorganisms is one of the important directions for development.
A similar principle applies to the management of pests and diseases. Highly vulnerable plants make farmers increasingly dependent on pesticides. Conversely, varieties with better resistance can reduce the need for external control agents.
This is the meaning of food sovereignty that needs to be expanded. Sovereignty is not merely the ability to produce sufficient food, but also the ability to control the primary sources of productivity itself. The better the plants’ ability to use water and nutrients and to defend themselves against disturbances, the smaller the farmers’ vulnerability to scarcity or rising input prices.
Seeds Bring Progress to Farmers’ Fields
However, genetic progress will not mean much if superior varieties only stop in laboratories, greenhouses, or experimental gardens. The advantages of new plants are only truly felt when they reach the farmers’ fields. This is where seed technology becomes vital. Seeds are the vehicle that carries genetic progress. Through seeds, superior traits such as high yield, drought resistance, nutrient efficiency, and disease resistance can move from the work of plant breeders to millions of hectares of production land. Seeds are the carriers of yield and adaptability, which must be supported by a strong seed industry and a guarantee of the availability of high-quality seeds.
Therefore, superior variety development programmes must not run in isolation. These programmes must be accompanied by the ability to multiply seeds quickly, maintain their quality, provide them in sufficient quantities, and ensure that farmers can obtain them when the planting season arrives.
Ultimately, prioritising genetic gain does not mean that fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation, or cultivation technologies become unimportant. All these elements are still required. What needs to be built is a new balance in food security strategy.
For a long time, many problems have been answered only by adding inputs. Moving forward, some problems must begin to be answered by strengthening the biological capabilities of plants. Varieties that are increasingly productive, water-efficient, nutrient-efficient, and resistant to disturbances will ensure sustainable production.