b'tions, private associations, universi- While we dont want to con-ties, research centers and mediatinue to reinvent the wheel, some-partners that have joined forcestimes a little bit of overlap is good. with the goal of enhancing theThere are many ways to solve position of the farmers in the globalproblems, so we should continue to political discussion on climatetackle the issues that align with our change.goals, and then share our results ISF is one of the foundingso others can learn from them members of the alliance. Recentlyand possibly build upon them, the Climakers participated inMcCracken says. the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangePlanning for PartnershipCOP25 in Madrid, together with theWhether the soul of farming lies Consultative Group on Internationalin the seed, the soil, or the farm-Agricultural Research (CGIAR)ers themselves, bringing together Centre for Climate Change,By bringing ideas together, we can make a better foodthe knowledge and expertise Agriculture and Food Securitysystem and create healthier plants in years to come.of various stakeholders will be (CCAFS) to lead a discussion aboutkey in making a true impact for transforming food systems with abe integrated. Its not enough for seed to be a silentplant health in 2020, and its not farmer-driven climate agenda.contributor.something that will just happen Keller sees efforts like this asWatne says it is worth it to put in the extra effortnaturally. That means seeking out being crucial to success in partner- to establish structure, communication, priorities andappropriate, aligned partners, ships that will bring about lastingoperational tasks in the early stages of a partnership. and investing in those relation-sustainability progress.There are going to be logical challenges withships. That means communicating The farmers have to be there.meeting times and language barriers, and approvalwell, and sharing experiences and They are key in making theseprocedures, but those things arent burdensome onceexpertise to build efficiency.changes, Keller says. Farmers areyouve established the process and have a good groupIf you look at the major seed vulnerable to climate change, butto work with, he says.companies in the world, were they are not a passive actor. TheyMcCracken agrees the beginning stages of a part- seeing less of them than we did in are executors of change and cannership are critical to its success. the past; and the costs of seed now offer plenty of solutions too. Whether you are deciding how to make lunch orwith improved traits, compared to how to increase the soils organic matter, ideas arethese underdeveloped countries Building Blocks of Trust never in short supply when you bring people together.where there are millions of people Just because companies andIt is important to identify goals and purposes up frontwho are hungry, Watne says. We organizations are working togetherto create an environment for all organizations andknow that food cannot simply be an more often, doesnt mean the busi- ideas to flourish, she says.item in a free market system. There ness side of things has lessened,are too many things at stake and we but rather the trust has grown. A Better Balancing Act need the additional thought pro-We are doing business, thatsAs seed companies, farmers and other agriculturalcesses to support sustainability. not something we need to hide,organizations realize the benefits in partnering toFarmers, seed producers, soil but we want a sustainable businessreach bigger goals, more collaborations have sprunghealth scientists and more; all of model, not just for us, but for thoseup. While it can be tempting to work with everythese voices have to be heard we are selling seed to, Keller says.opportunity that exists, McCracken says its importantwhen were talking about such If a farmer uses a particular seedto find partnerships that have a focused purpose.important goals as ending hunger and it fails, he will lose money, andThere are many groups working on these issues.and poverty. There is no quick fix, not work with that seed companyWhile we believe there is great power in partnerships,no single answer. anymore. Just because we arestay active in partnerships that align with your organi- When we look at the doing business, does not mean wezations goals, she says. Sustainable Development Goals, are not working together.Just because something is a good goal does not meanand No. 17 especially, all of the nec-In the past, the seed sectorits the right partnership if it isnt in perfect alignment. essary components are there, from didnt really speak out and joinYou can cheer on and provide support to othertechnology to trade, and finance, those conversations, he says. Itpartnerships working on other goals, McCracken says. policy and institutional coherence, was more about protecting whatAs more companies join forces to tackle big goalsKeller says. These goals are only we may know, and others weresome overlap in goals between different partnershipspossible if the different stakehold-guarding their perspectives as well.may be created, but that isnt necessarily a negativeers trust one another and work Were starting, more and more, toresult. together.SW26/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2020'