#Agriculture #PotatoIndustry #SeedBreeding #AgriculturalDevelopment #RussianAgriculture #Farming #AgriculturalScience #CropProduction #AgriculturalInnovation
In the late 1990s, as fast-food chains offering French fries proliferated across Russia, the domestic potato seed industry faced a crisis. Irina Dubinina, CEO of the Scientific-Production Enterprise “SeDeK-Domodedovo” and member of the National Union of Breeders and Seed Producers, recalls the era as a time of neglect for Russian breeding and seed production. “Essentially, in the late ’90s, breeding and seed production were at a standstill. While collections were maintained, practical scaling was almost nonexistent. Seed production became irrelevant. Seed potatoes were imported in large volumes from the Netherlands, Germany, and France,” she stated.
Now, in 2024, SeDeK-Domodedovo commemorates 36 years of dedicated work in seed breeding and selection in Russia. It stands as one of the early adopters to engage in federal scientific programs aimed at advancing agricultural development, particularly in potato breeding, receiving government support.
The lessons from the setbacks of the 1990s underscore the importance of investing in domestic seed breeding and production. Through proactive engagement in scientific programs and leveraging governmental support, companies like SeDeK-Domodedovo demonstrate the potential for revitalizing the Russian potato seed industry, ensuring its resilience and sustainability for the future.
Tags: Agriculture, Potato Industry, Seed Breeding, Agricultural Development, Russian Agriculture, Farming, Agricultural Science, Crop Production, Agricultural Innovation.
