My career in the seed industry started with my studies at the University of the Free State, where I received my PhD in Genetics.  My appointment as deputy director of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Monitoring and Research at the South African National Biodiversity Institute entailed developing a GMO post-commercial monitoring framework for South Africa.

This prepared me well for my appointment at the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR), where I am responsible for the overall strategic objectives of the organisation, including capacity development  in the seed sector, intellectual property protection, and policy development that supports innovation and global seed trade initiatives. I also represent South Africa’s seed industry interests, especially seed trade, nationally and internationally.

The seed industry has long been recognised as the foundation of agriculture. Every harvest begins with a seed, and within every seed lies the remarkable potential to nourish communities, sustain economies, and safeguard the future of food production. Facing an era defined by unprecedented environmental, economic, and social challenges, the role of the seed sector has never been more significant.

Adapt and innovate

The sector operates in a highly complex environment. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns and intensifying extreme weather such as droughts and floods, while the emergence and spread of new pests and diseases continue to threaten crop production. At the same time, the global population continues to grow, placing greater pressure on agricultural systems to produce more food, feed, fibre, and fuel using fewer natural resources. Producers are expected to increase productivity while reducing their environmental footprint, conserving biodiversity, protecting water resources, and contributing to more sustainable production systems.

These challenges demand bold thinking, collaborative action, and continuous innovation. The latter has always been at the heart of the seed industry. Generations of plant breeders have worked tirelessly to develop improved varieties that deliver higher yields, enhanced quality, improved resilience, and greater resistance to pests and diseases. Today, scientific advances are accelerating this progress at an unprecedented  pace. From molecular breeding and advanced phenotyping to digital technologies and artificial intelligence, innovation  is transforming the way improved seed varieties are developed and delivered to producers.

Among these advances, precision breeding represents one of the most promising tools available to modern agriculture. It offers plant breeders the ability to make precise, targeted improvements within a plant’s own genetic makeup, allowing desirable traits to be developed more efficiently than through conventional breeding alone. This technology has the potential to make crops more resilient to drought, heat stress, emerging diseases, and evolving pest pressures while improving nutritional quality and resource use efficiency. In addition, precision breeding complements conventional breeding by providing breeders with an additional tool to address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges.

The responsible adoption of innovative breeding technologies  is not simply about scientific progress; it is about building resilience. It is about equipping producers with varieties capable of performing under unpredictable climatic conditions. It is about strengthening food security in a world where production systems are under mounting pressure. It is about supporting environmental sustainability through crops that use water and nutrients more efficiently and require fewer crop protection interventions. Above all, it is about ensuring that agriculture is productive, profitable, and sustainable for generations to come.

Striking a balance

Innovation cannot succeed in isolation. A thriving seed industry depends on collaboration between researchers, breeders, seed companies, regulators, policymakers, producers, universities, and international partners. Science- based regulatory frameworks, effective intellectual property systems, strong phytosanitary measures, and open dialogue between public and private stakeholders all play a critical role in

creating an environment where innovation can flourish.

It is also important to maintain public confidence through transparency, responsible stewardship, and evidence- based decision-making that balances innovation with safety and sustainability.

Within the pages of this issue, readers will discover stories of industry leadership, policy developments, market trends, and role-players in the grain storage and handling sector whose dedication continues to move the sector forward. The future of agriculture will be shaped by role-players who embrace innovation responsibly, investing in science, and strengthening collaboration across the value chain.

By Dr Lukeshni Chetty, CEO, SANSOR