An Inside Perspective on Perfecting Crop Genetics for Indoor Growing
August 2, 2023 How will the development of new, specialized varieties for greenhouses and vertical farms accelerate over the next decade? This was just one of the questions posed during a panel discussion that took place at the Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit in New York in late June.
Moderated by Vonnie Estes, Vice President of AgFood Tech Innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association, “Sowing the Seeds of Growth: Perfecting Crop Genetics for Indoor Operations” featured input from breeders from around the world. Panelists included:
- Gretchen Raymond, Managing Director, Rijk Zwaan
- Jade Stinson, Co-Founder, CEO and President, Vindara
- Ard van de Kreeke, CEO, Growy
- Andy LaVigne, President & CEO, American Seed Trade Association
Raymond noted that Rikk Zwaan has been actively developing varieties best suited for greenhouse production for several years, and is starting to focus more on vertical farming.
“We frequently discuss how to make varieties adaptable to growers’ conditions, including how they are automating their facilities,” Raymond said. “Our goal is to meet both growers’ and consumers’ needs.
The rest of the panel echoed these thoughts, with van de Kreeke noting that the focus should be on the farmer first, not the “high tech vertical space we’re growing in.”
What happens when you add retailers’ needs to the discussion? The answer may lie in product diversity, according to Raymond.
“We try to look for medleys of different crops with a mix of both color and texture,” she says.
When Estes raised the question of who decides which traits are most important, and who pays for developing those traits, both Stinson and Raymond said it’s a challenge because everyone has different answers.
“We usually start by trialing with our grower partners, and their feedback often dictates what we can then offer to consumers,” Stinson said.
LaVigne noted another factor that can drive variety development: policy makers who are making decisions on, for example, gene editing.
“We’re not really seeing this right now, but at the same time, we need to invite more decision makers to see controlled-environment agriculture in action,” he said. “Invite them to your farms and educate them on your processes.”
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