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The importance of seed in global food systems

A staff member with Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center says feeding a growing population starts with seeds.

Cindy Hicks tells Brownfield farmers can help lead the charge in establishing global access to nutritious food. “We know that the population is growing, and farmland acres are decreasing. That means you have to produce more on less farmland.”

She says it’s important to get quality seeds into the hands of smallholder farmers. “But unfortunately, over 80% of smallholder farmers don’t have access to good quality seed.”

Hicks says they’ve been sharing the message of the power of seed at this year’s Borlaug Dialogue. “It’s very nice here at the World Food Prize to bring all of these people together who have one goal in mind and that is to feed people who are going hungry.”

Hicks spoke to Brownfield at the 2024 Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa

INTERVIEW: Cindy Hicks, Iowa State University Seed Science Center, at 2024 World Food Prize Borlaug International Dialogue