Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YX, Lancashire, UK.
Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen University, 6700 EW, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Sci Rep. 2023 Apr 3;13(1):5444. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-32207-1.
Crop improvement is a key innovation area in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. However, realising its potential requires integration of the needs and priorities of all agri-food chain stakeholders. In this study, we provide a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvement in future-proofing the European food system. We engaged agri-business, farm- and consumer-level stakeholders, and plant scientists through an online survey and focus groups. Four of each group's top five priorities were shared and related to environmental sustainability goals (water, nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, and heat stress). Consensus was identified on issues including considering existing alternatives to plant breeding (e.g. management strategies), minimising trade-offs, and addressing geographical variation in needs. We conducted a rapid evidence synthesis on the impacts of priority crop improvement options, highlighting the urgent need for further research examining downstream sustainability impacts to identify concrete targets for plant breeding innovation as a food systems solution.
作物改良是追求可持续食品系统的关键创新领域。然而，要发挥其潜力，就需要整合所有农业食品链利益相关者的需求和优先事项。在这项研究中，我们从多方利益相关者的角度出发，探讨了作物改良在为欧洲食品系统提供未来保障方面的作用。我们通过在线调查和焦点小组的形式，让农业企业、农场和消费者层面的利益相关者以及植物科学家参与其中。每个小组的前五名重点中，有四个与环境可持续性目标（水、氮和磷效率以及热应激）相关。各方就一些问题达成了共识，包括考虑植物育种的现有替代方法（例如管理策略）、尽量减少权衡取舍，以及解决需求的地域差异。我们对重点作物改良方案的影响进行了快速证据综合评估，强调迫切需要进一步研究，以考察下游可持续性影响，从而为植物育种创新作为解决食品系统问题的方案确定具体目标。
