At the International Tropical Agriculture Conference 2017, held in Brisbane from November 20 to 22, the world’s leading scientists and researchers for innovation in plant, animal, and food sciences were brought together to discuss the issues and breakthroughs for the sector.

On day one of the conference, a panel discussion on market-driven approaches to plant breeding highlighted the gap between science and demand in breeding — particularly in developing countries where some new breeds are being rejected by farmers and consumers because they are not practical to their way of life.

For scientists and researchers breeding new plant varieties, there are key questions they must consider to ensure their work can improve livelihoods in developing countries.

If scientists are focused on achieving breakthroughs, they are too busy to talk to people, which could influence what it is you should be doing. Most scientists aren’t used to going out and doing market research, but they need to.” - Vivienne Anthony

Read the full article by Lisa Cornish about plant breeding from Devex International Development