Seed Valley: A Sustainable Growing Field

The International Centre for Plant Breeding & Seed Technology

The global epicenter of green genetics

The label “Seed Valley” is relatively new, but the area between Enkhuizen and Alkmaar, the Netherlands,  has enjoyed a global reputation in plant breeding and seed technology for several decades now. The region is home to dozens of specialized companies, providing growers all over the world with high-quality basic plant material. This makes Seed Valley the global epicenter of applied green genetics and a challenging international work field. 

It is the home base of a dynamic, very successful business sector with a clear high-tech character. A great many innovations and advanced technology are applied to improving food and ornamental crops.

The Seed Valley Foundation is a group of companies, local authorities and partners which aims to strengthen the economic position of the industry sector. The association enhances the employer branding of the industry and works with educators in order to increase studies in plant, seeds and breeding topics.

High-tech in the lowlands

Breeding and seed cultivation are multidisciplinary activities. The development, selection and multiplication of new plant varieties requires a thorough knowledge of genetics, plant physiology and plant cultivation, cell biology, biochemistry, computer science, logistics, plant diseases, tissue culture and seed technology. Specialists in these varied fields work collaboratively on new plant varieties with higher yields, better resistance to diseases and pests, optimum growth under specific climate conditions, more attractive flowers and/or better flavor.

Although breeding still revolves around the classical principle of genetics and the selection of the desired phenotype, the introduction of molecular techniques has brought about a great improvement in efficiency. Thanks to the development of molecular marker technology, today properties can be distinguished at DNA level: descendants can be selected at a very early stage of development on the basis of the presence of the desired genetic characteristics. This allows companies to bring new varieties into the market quickly. 

Developments in the field of seed technology contribute to the constantly improving quality of horticultural seeds: thanks to the processes developed in Seed Valley for selection, disinfection, priming and coating, growers are able to buy seeds that germinate faster and more uniformly and that are better protected against plant diseases. The sector invests 25% of its return in research and development. 

A world market

The combination of a healthy domestic market, entrepreneurship and the steady influx of well-trained people have enabled Dutch seed companies to expand into the export business. As with Dutch horticultural production, domestic sales are just a fraction of what is exported. Seed Valley’s motto: Breeding takes place for the global market.

Many seed houses in Seed Valley not only sell their plant material to buyers abroad but also breed and multiply products locally. They serve the world market in a tailored fashion from various branches, situated in all climate zones and continents. Local specialists are often assisted by Dutch colleagues.

Facts & Figures

Every year, the Netherlands exports approximately 16 billion euro-worth of arable and horticultural produce. The basic plant material for this – the seeds, the cuttings, the bulbs, tubers and corms – originates almost entirely from Dutch breeding and multiplication companies. Together they form the sector of basic plant material, in which around 10,000 people work nationwide. The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of basic plant material. The annual return increases by several percentage points each year and in 2008 amounted to over 2.5 billion euro. 80% of the global trade in vegetable seeds is in the hands of nine multinationals. Seven of these originate partially or entirely in the Netherlands. Five market leaders have their headquarters, logistics centers and/or research facilities in Seed Valley.

Seed Valley Foundation

The Seed Valley Foundation was established in 2008. By means of focused activities and education, the foundation aims to familiarize schoolchildren and students with the plant-breeding sector in the region and its excellent career prospects. Seed Valley is supported by over 21 companies, government bodies and sponsors.

Seed Valley offers numerous challenges for ambitious professionals: There is a strong demand among companies for specialists at all levels. Current issues—such as healthy nutrition, sustainable production, climate change and food shortages—play important roles in the continuous improvement of plant varieties. The high-quality breeding expertise puts the Netherlands on the map in the search for sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s world. It is the expertise of innovating specialists that will consolidate the strong growth of the past decades, expand breeding and research programs and tackle new developments effectively.

CONTACT:

Erwin CardolProject Manager
Seed Valley 
Stationsplein 3
1601 EN, Enkhuizen
Tel: +31 (0) 88 123 7333
E-mail:erwin.cardol@seedvalley.nl
www.seedvalley.nl