In an evolving field like plant breeding, growth often requires rethinking who we are and what we represent. Two years ago, leaders within the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) began a conversation about the organization’s future, asking how they could create a more inclusive environment for the next generation of scientists and researchers joining the field. Their answer? Transform the association’s very name and mission to reflect a broader, more interdisciplinary vision.
The name change from the National Association of Plant Breeders to the National Association for Plant Breeding might sound subtle, but it signals a significant shift, says NAPB President J.D. Rossouw.
“We wanted to broaden our scope and really improve the field as a whole,” he says. “It’s about bringing together a richer, more diverse pool of disciplines that contribute to plant breeding and acknowledging that our work now involves expertise far beyond traditional plant breeding.”
NAPB’s leadership realized that the organization needed to embrace disciplines that sit at the periphery of traditional plant breeding, such as genomics, machine learning, software engineering, and data science.
“Plant breeding today is a mosaic of fields working together to improve plant genetics and resilience,” says BAPB Vice-President Neha Kothari. “It’s no longer just about one set of skills—it’s an ecosystem. This new name better reflects that evolution, inviting members from a wide array of backgrounds to contribute and collaborate.”
The decision to broaden the membership was also driven by a desire to support the next generation of plant breeders. The association envisions a future where workforce development is central, encouraging new talent from various fields to enter plant breeding.
“We want to shape future talent, especially students and early-career scientists, to understand the full scope of what plant breeding can achieve today,” Rossouw adds. “It’s about directing this incoming talent towards a mission of innovation and inclusivity that supports plant improvement at its core.”
