100 Years of the International Seed Federation

The World Seed Congress, hosted by the International Seed Federation (ISF), will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 27 to 29 May 2024.

CGIAR will participate by encouraging dialogue and knowledge sharing to address low agricultural productivity resulting from poor adoption of improved varieties and limited access to quality seeds.

About the ISF

In 2024, ISF commemorates 100 years since its inception. Originating from a gathering of forward-thinking seed traders a century ago, the organization emerged to standardize seed exchanges globally and foster international collaboration in seed movement.

The Netherlands, renowned for its expertise in plant breeding and seed trade, will host seed professionals worldwide for a congress featuring business, trading, exhibitions, panel discussions, and ample networking prospects. This event promises valuable insights and connections for seed industry stakeholders.

CGIAR Participation

Managing Director of Genetic Innovation, CGIAR, Sonja Vermeulen, will participate in a panel discussion on May 28th. The topic will be “Innovative public-private partnerships for development: What are the bottlenecks and opportunities?” and will be held from 17:00–18:00.

Header photo: Diverse seeds at a farmer-run seed bank, Kenya. G. Smith/The Alliance