Network meeting to boost plant science innovation

22/10/2024

10 CEPLAS members met with representatives from BASF/ Nunhems and two universities to discuss opportunities for cooperation.

On October 9, 2024, a group of 10 CEPLAS members met with 21 representatives from BASF/Nunhems, Maastricht University and Radboud University (Nijmegen), in the “Brightlands” facilities, in Venlo (The Netherlands), to discuss opportunities for cooperation in improving sustainability in the Agri-Food sector. The goal is to strengthen competences in plant sciences, plant biotechnology, plant breeding and computational biology by cooperation and generating synergistic effects. This is expected to be necessary and to contribute to the transformation of agricultural and horticultural plant production into systems that provide sufficient healthy food, on the one hand, and protect environment, climate, resources and biodiversity, at the same time.

Participating institutions presented their ongoing approaches and activities in these fields. In “Break-out Sessions”, ideas and concepts for cooperation were elaborated. These are now in the process of being further developed and specified. Exchange programs for scientists (especially Early Career Researchers) and ways for bringing together the individual strengths of the institutions in joint research projects are considered.

Presentations and discussions were complemented by an impressive tour through the “Brightlands” facilities, demonstrating the strategic importance allocated to the Agri-Food sector by the regional universities, BASF/Nunhems and the regional government.

Günter Strittmatter's conclusion was very positive: “Neighbors got to know each other better and recognized the high potential of joining forces and complementing existing competences, for reaching goals of mutual interest”.

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