Seeds and Vegetables to Transform Smallholder Agriculture for Food and Nutrition Security

Access to Seeds Foundation chair Ann Tutwiler participated in a panel discussion organized by FAO North America during the 2019 Borlaug Dialogue on building more robust seed systems that can deliver the seeds to smallholder farmers.

Background information:

Seeds are the source for human sustenance. Global food and nutrition security is entirely dependent on the seed security of smallholder farmers, who constitute most of the world’s food producers. To meet growing environmental challenges and address chronic hunger—which has increased for four consecutive years, now standing at more than 820 million people—we must make advances in plant breeding, develop improved varieties, and deliver high quality seeds to all food producers. Responsive seed systems, particularly for nutrient-dense vegetables, must be at the heart of efforts to improve global food and nutrition security.

Vegetable crops play a key role in addressing the triple burden of malnutrition (undernutrition, overweight and obesity) rapidly rising in many countries.  Yet, due to a lack of quality seed, the power of vegetables remains an under-utilized tool for curbing these alarming trends. Backed by a more robust seed system, smallholder farmers can produce safe, nutritious vegetables to promote healthy diets, generate rural employment, and develop sustainable businesses for themselves and their communities
Opening Remarks:

Keynote Address:

Panel Discussion: