Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding
Abstract Crop improvement is a key innovation area in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. However, realising its potential requires integration of the needs and priorities of all agri-food chain stakeholders. In this study, we provide a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvem...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32207-1 |
| _version_ | 1797850093603258368 |
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| author | S. Stetkiewicz J. Menary A. Nair M. Rufino A. R. H. Fischer M. Cornelissen A. Guichaoua P. Jorasch S. Lemarié A. K. Nanda R. Wilhelm J. A. C. Davies |
| author_facet | S. Stetkiewicz J. Menary A. Nair M. Rufino A. R. H. Fischer M. Cornelissen A. Guichaoua P. Jorasch S. Lemarié A. K. Nanda R. Wilhelm J. A. C. Davies |
| author_sort | S. Stetkiewicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Crop improvement is a key innovation area in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. However, realising its potential requires integration of the needs and priorities of all agri-food chain stakeholders. In this study, we provide a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvement in future-proofing the European food system. We engaged agri-business, farm- and consumer-level stakeholders, and plant scientists through an online survey and focus groups. Four of each group’s top five priorities were shared and related to environmental sustainability goals (water, nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, and heat stress). Consensus was identified on issues including considering existing alternatives to plant breeding (e.g. management strategies), minimising trade-offs, and addressing geographical variation in needs. We conducted a rapid evidence synthesis on the impacts of priority crop improvement options, highlighting the urgent need for further research examining downstream sustainability impacts to identify concrete targets for plant breeding innovation as a food systems solution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:54:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-465ac9cf99d54a26b8ae7b418a1bf0b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:54:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-465ac9cf99d54a26b8ae7b418a1bf0b92023-04-09T11:13:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-04-0113111010.1038/s41598-023-32207-1Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breedingS. Stetkiewicz0J. Menary1A. Nair2M. Rufino3A. R. H. Fischer4M. Cornelissen5A. Guichaoua6P. Jorasch7S. Lemarié8A. K. Nanda9R. Wilhelm10J. A. C. Davies11Lancaster UniversityLancaster UniversityMarketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen UniversityLancaster UniversityMarketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen UniversityBASF Innovation Center GentACTA -The Agricultural Technical InstitutesEuroseedsUniversité Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, INRA, Grenoble INP‘Plants for the Future’ European Technology PlatformFederal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn-InstitutLancaster UniversityAbstract Crop improvement is a key innovation area in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. However, realising its potential requires integration of the needs and priorities of all agri-food chain stakeholders. In this study, we provide a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvement in future-proofing the European food system. We engaged agri-business, farm- and consumer-level stakeholders, and plant scientists through an online survey and focus groups. Four of each group’s top five priorities were shared and related to environmental sustainability goals (water, nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, and heat stress). Consensus was identified on issues including considering existing alternatives to plant breeding (e.g. management strategies), minimising trade-offs, and addressing geographical variation in needs. We conducted a rapid evidence synthesis on the impacts of priority crop improvement options, highlighting the urgent need for further research examining downstream sustainability impacts to identify concrete targets for plant breeding innovation as a food systems solution.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32207-1 |
| spellingShingle | S. Stetkiewicz J. Menary A. Nair M. Rufino A. R. H. Fischer M. Cornelissen A. Guichaoua P. Jorasch S. Lemarié A. K. Nanda R. Wilhelm J. A. C. Davies Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding Scientific Reports |
| title | Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding |
| title_full | Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding |
| title_fullStr | Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding |
| title_short | Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding |
| title_sort | food system actor perspectives on future proofing european food systems through plant breeding |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32207-1 |
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