CIMMYT’s Seeds of Discovery Initiative: Harnessing Biodiversity for Food Security and Sustainable Development

Abstract

A visionary investment by Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) has enabled the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) initiative to assemble a platform of technologies to facilitate the effective use of genetic resources in breeding to address challenges of climate change and evolving consumer demands to ensuring universal food security. The platform consists of 1) high-density genotypic data and extensive phenotypic data characterizing maize and wheat germplasm bank accessions, 2) software tools to enable bioinformatics analyses of these and relevant germplasm bank data, and 3) maize and wheat lines incorporating novel diversity for priority traits from exotic germplasm into breeder-preferred, elite genetic backgrounds. Each of these platform components was co-developed with partners bringing unique expertise and resources to the project. Sustained impact, and equitable access to the platform and the maize and wheat genetic resources it describes, are pursued via multi-pronged capacity development and proactive intellectual property strategies described herein. After describing the SeeD initiative and some of its products, we conclude by sharing comments and insights from eminent scientists and partners who attended a special session on ‘Harnessing Biodiversity for Food Security and Sustainable Development’ during the 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress (IAC), in New Delhi, November 2016.