ISF actively participated in the UN Climate Change 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29), highlighting the vital role of quality seeds in helping farmers adapt to climate change and reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.
At COP 29, ISF highlighted the progress of the “Seed Resilience” project in Rwanda, implemented by Fair Planet in collaboration with the Rwandan Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), according to a press release. As of August 2024, 61 crop varieties — including carrot, cabbage, tomato, sweet pepper, and onion—have been tested. Among them, 22 demonstrated superior yields and quality, making them suitable for market adoption.
“The project’s successes, such as a nine-fold increase in carrot yields, underscore the transformative potential of improved seeds in enhancing food security and nutrition,” said Michael Keller, ISF Secretary General. “By targeting key dietary pillars—vegetables for vitamins, pulses for proteins, and cereals for carbohydrates—it sets the stage for sustainable agricultural development in vulnerable regions.”
Validation trials are ongoing, with results expected later this year. Additionally, new potato variety trials began in April 2024, with eight varieties cultivated on a 2,300 m² plot. Plans are underway to expand these trials to on-farm testing with 100 farmers, in partnership with RAB and the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), during upcoming seasons.
In Baku, ISF’s Ben Rivoire discussed the seed sector’s role in tackling climate challenges with John Dennehy of The National News. Their conversation emphasized the importance of events like COP 29 in showcasing how seed companies work daily to secure food and nutrition in a changing climate.
