b'INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTCOVID-19 and Its Effects on the World of SeedWE ARE LIVINGthrough a time that will be remem- supply begin to equalize there may be the realization bered for many years to come as one of uncertaintythat varieties being grown in a region are not suited and upheaval. So how will all this change affect theto the climate. In return, this may lead to the develop-development of new varieties and the distribution ofment of new varieties. Accessing new varieties from seed throughout the world? overseas is getting more difficult as quarantine require-One things for certain: the importance of food secu- ments are becoming more costly or companies are rity has never been more emphasized.wanting to sell their varieties with intellectual property The challenge that we have is to distribute this seedin a country where there is poor respect for these rules. to those that need it the most. We are now experienc-ing something that is an everyday occurrence in Third ANTHONY LEDDINWorld countries: shelves are empty of everyday items Inspired afterthat we take for granted. In the Western world, people reading Thehave realized the importance of food and have even Coming Famine,reverted back to growing their own food, which has put this Australiana great demand on the seed sector. So, what is the solution to this dilemma?plant breeder setBut how will this affect the developing world?The answer comes with the entrepreneurshipout to make aRoughly 49% of the population in developing countries difference. Plant(3 billion people) live in rural areas and grow their ownof locals.Breeders Withoutfood. The greatest threat to their food security would Borders encouragesbe due to the distribution of this food into cities and plant breeders andhealth systems. With limited ability to test and manage students to volunteerCOVID-19, the spread of the disease will mean large their time for inter- scale lockdowns of high population areas and food sup-national breedingplies will quickly diminish. This could lead to civil unrest,Breeding programs for large seed companies are projects. magnifying the effect of the virus as people ignorevery much related to the size of the local market. If social distancing restrictions. there is a certain economic threshold that is met for Help from the Western world will be limited. Peoplethe volume of seed that is sold in a region, that encour-in these countries will be suffering from high unemploy- ages the development of breeding programs for that ment, which means there will be less money donatedspecific region. Maybe there might be a surge in the to charities or coming from government aid programs.number of micro-seed companies that are started Volunteers will not be able to travel between countries toby smallholder farmers that see the opportunity to help with aid projects, and giving instructions to projectsproduce seed to supply the increasing demand. There in developing countries will be difficult due to unstablewill be a greater need for research to prove that the internet connections. There will be an increasing reliancenew varieties in a region give increase yields or benefits of local governments having in country projects usingto farmers. A quick transition from the informal to the local expertise to run them. Even within a country thereformal seed sector will be needed to create a source of may be travel restrictions to prevent the spread of theincome through levies to allow this research to be car-virus, so internal country project will not be easy. ried out. Without an understanding of the value of this It is inevitable that the price of seed will increase asresearch and the added benefit of improved varieties, supply will not be able to keep up with demand.So,we will continue to see an informal seed sector and what is the solution to this dilemma? The answer comesthe genetic gains that will be required to keep up with with the entrepreneurship of locals.the negative effects of climate change or an increasing With the right skills, small seed businesses willpopulation growth will not be achieved and a cycle of appear supplying the growing market. As demand andfood insecurity will continue. SW24/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2020'