Seed Sovereignty Initiative Photo by Steve Ausmus USDA ARS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $180 million in a new Seed Sovereignty Initiative to help accelerate the development of future crop innovations. According to USDA, the United States has not taken full advantage of its valuable plant genetic resources. The Seed Sovereignty Initiative intends to rectify this and strengthen agricultural resilience.
The focus will be on USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), which houses more than 600,000 accessions representing more than 16,000 species. Over two years, USDA will characterize and sequence numerous NPGS collections, using advanced technologies to identify valuable genetic traits and critical gaps. This work will help USDA and American researchers respond more quickly to emerging pests and diseases and support the development of new seed products and crop varieties.
The American Seed Trade Association, a USSA member, welcomed the news, describing it as “a long-awaited moment for the seed industry”.
“ASTA has continuously highlighted the role the National Plant Germplasm System plays in the agricultural innovation pipeline,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA’s President & CEO. “We commend USDA’s efforts to strengthen and revitalize how we sustain, sequence, and safeguard this vital American resource.”