b'EDITORS MESSAGETOWARDS A WORLD WITHOUT HUNGERdered the dissemination of breakthroughsinvestments, risk-taking, and collaboration that could benefit food-insecure regions.across sectors.As the Laureates have pointed out, failingEuropes role in this transformation to harness these advancements now will tiecannot be overstated. European research-humanity to an unsustainable trajectory. ers and policymakers must lead by exam-By 2050, the challenges we face todayple, fostering regulatory environments that will pale compared to those on the horizon.encourage innovation while safeguarding Climate change looms large, threatening topublic and environmental health. I feel that reduce the productivity of staple crops at aEuropes contributions to agricultural R&D time when we need them most. For maize,can inspire global efforts, particularly in a vital crop across Africa, projections ofdeveloping and implementing equitable dis-yield decline paint a particularly bleak pic- tribution systems to ensure these advances ture. Add to this the increasing frequencyreach those who need them most. As the of extreme weather events, soil erosion,Laureates pointed out, the benefits of inno-BY: MARCEL BRUINS biodiversity loss, and water shortages, andvation must be accessible to all, especially it becomes clear: the current trajectory isthe worlds most vulnerable populations.unsustainable. Without decisive action, theThe returns on these efforts would be E arlier this month I was heartenedvicious cycle of food insecurity and conflictimmense, not only in economic terms but to see that 153 Nobel and Worldwill tighten its grip, further destabilizingalso in human potential. A well-nourished Food Prize Laureates had unitedregions already on the brink. population drives productivity, stability, to issue an unprecedented plea for action.However, despair is not the answer and innovation across societies. Yet, the Their open letter is a rallying cry for bold,innovation is. The Green Revolution of thebenefits of these advances must extend to innovative solutions to address the looming20th century demonstrated that scientificthose who need them most. Equitable dis-food crisis. In my opinion, their emphasisadvancements in agriculture could trans- tribution mechanisms and science-based on "moonshot" agricultural research alignsform food production. Today, we have anpolicies are critical to ensuring that no one perfectly with what we at Seed World Europeeven deeper understanding of biology andis left behind.have long been advocating for in thisgenetics, yet we fail to capitalize on thisTime is of the essence. By prioritiz-column: innovation is key.knowledge. As you will read further downing agricultural R&D, fostering enabling In a world of immense technologicalin this issue, investment in agriculturalregulatory environments, with effective advancements and growing global connec- research and development (R&D) has stag- IP systems and championing high-risk, tivity, the reality that 700 million peoplenated, hampered by regulatory barriers andhigh-reward scientific pursuits, we can chart remain food insecure is both sobering anda lack of bold, coordinated efforts to scalea new course. Transforming our food sys-unacceptable. Half of these individuals liveinnovation. Incremental improvementstems to meet the nutritional needs of a grow-in the shadow of acute hunger, while 60will not suffice; we need transformative,ing population, sustainably and equitably, is million children under the age of five suffermoonshot initiatives to revolutionize ourone of the greatest challenges of our time. from stunted growtha life sentence offood systems. The Laureates call for plan- It is also one of our greatest opportunities.cognitive and physical impairment caused byet-friendly moonshot efforts is precisely theTo all leaders in science, innovation, and nutritional deficiencies. The numbers alonekind of visionary thinking required. policy, please raise your voices and collective are harrowing, but they represent an urgentConsider the potential breakthroughs:ambitions. Please advocate for and invest call to action for the global community. enhancing photosynthesis in staple cropsin the moonshots that will secure food and In my opinion, Europe has a vitallike wheat and rice, enabling biologicalnutrition for future generations. I fully sup-role to play in addressing these challenges.nitrogen fixation in cereals, developingport the call from the 153 Nobel and World European agriculture and plant breed- perennial variants of annual crops, or evenFood Prize Laureates. The cost of inaction is ing have long been at the forefront ofcreating nutrient-rich foods from micro- too great to bear. Together, we can turn the innovation, offering sustainable solutionsorganisms and fungi. These are not pipetide towards a world without hunger.that can be adapted and shared globally.dreams; they are scientifically plausible However, restrictive regulations withingoals that could redefine the boundaries ofMarcel BruinsEurope, particularly surrounding newagricultural productivity and sustainabil- editorial director, Seed World Europegenomic techniques (NGTs), have hin- ity. However, such ambitions require boldmbruins@seedworldgroup.comFEBRUARY 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 3'