b'BREEDING INThe world is short on plant breeders, according to new research. That puts food security at risk.Marc ZienkiewiczVALERIO HOYOS-VILLEGAS is worried. The dry bean breederThe impact of plant breeding goes beyond the and professor at McGill University is one of several researcherscreation of new crop varieties. Hoyos-Villegas who conducted a recent study that found a shortage of scien- points out that the field is tightly linked with tists specializing in plant breeding. That could have serioustechnological advancement and the develop-consequences for global food security, including in Canada, asment of new industries, such as plant phe-highlighted by new research spanning three continents. nomics. In fact, its those new technologies The collaborative study by McGill University in Quebec,that might be inadvertently leading to a Australias Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Researchshortage of field breeders, as students look Organisation (CSIRO) and Lincoln University in New Zealandto enter more technologically advanced areas sheds light on the critical shortage of plant breeding expertise,of plant breeding and pass over traditional painting a worrying picture for the future. field breeding roles.The study emphasizes the urgent need to address this skillsMany of those surveyed believed that there is less gap to sustain our current levels of agricultural, food, fibre,emphasis on field breeding in plant breeding train-feed and fuel production. Consisting of two separate surveys,ing programs as technologies like genomics the study found a troubling trend: 66% of survey respondentsand data science become more promi-stated that they have noticed a reduction in the number ofnent. Reasons they gave for this breeders involved in cultivar development, while 64% observedinclude the lack of secure posi-a decline in the number of field breeders. tions and funding, and that For Hoyos-Villegas, this perceived shortage in personal.so-called traditional breeding Hes preparing to change positions and move from Qubec tois perceived as a field that is not the United States, where he will lead the dry bean breedingon the cutting edge.program at Michigan State University (MSU). This perception is far from To be working in the agricultural research sector whilereality. Plant breeding is about facing a breeder shortage is definitely a challenge, but also anadvancing technology, improving the opportunity. Anyone stepping into this space would be in theprocess of plant breeding and cultivar perfect position to make a big impact, he says. development, and importantly, fostering The problem is nothing new. Lucy Egan, the lead authornew industries. We need to have a conversa-and a scientist at CSIRO, says the shortage has been escalatingtion about modernization and upskilling, and for a while. that requires support at the highest levels, Were witnessing a generational shift where highly skilledHoyos-Villegas says.plant breeders are retiring, and new graduates are gravitatingThe challenge, however, is making this towards other areas of plant science like molecular biology,issue resonate on a broader scale. While the Egan says.importance of plant breeding is undeniable So, what can be done about it?to those within the agricultural and scien-Enhancing graduate programs in plant breeding andtific communities, he acknowledges the boosting private sector engagement are essential to keep updifficulty of translating this urgency to the with the latest scientific and technological advancements,public. Yet, the solution lies in awareness Hoyos-Villegas says. and advocacy. Plant breeding must become part of the national agricul- This study aims to formalize the issue tural agenda. We need to modernize facilities and train newand bring visibility to it. We wanted to plant breeders at a modern level. develop evidence that there is a dwin-According to him, this isnt a challenge that can be tackleddling trend in capacity, and it turns out in isolation.to be very much true. Hopefully, this This requires cooperation between agriculture faculties, thestudy will spark the necessary conversa-federal government and other stakeholders. We all benefit fromtions and lead to real, practical steps to this because all new scientistswhether they end up in indus- improve the situation. try, academia, or creating new companiesstart in academia.38 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA SEPTEMBER 2024'