Title : Mind the gaps between innovation and impact: Critical research to validate product claims for the future of a productive, nutritious, and globally sustainable food system
Abstract:
There exists a gap between basic research led by the academic sector and commercialization of technology led by the industry sector. Biotechnology Industry, particularly plant biotechnology, is skilled in bringing new products to end-users. As a result, there are numerous agricultural products in the market, and each product claims to be superior to all the other products in performance – but how do we know that is true? The majority of small to mid-scale agricultural marketplace (globally) is driven through marketing capabilities rather than actual product efficacy or sustainability. Some of these products are significantly better and have the potential to reduce the need for synthetic inputs, improve food quality and farmer income. Better performing products may eventually stay longer in the market, but most of the product claims are exaggerated, which inevitably fail in broad-acre applications, causing severe loss-of-income for farmers and undesired environmental consequences. It is difficult to regulate product claims, leaving a gap in the industry. On the other hand, high level basic research capabilities exist in institutes and universities, but it is largely out of reach for commercial product verification and peer-reviewed publication. This gap is further exaggerated by the necessity for boundaries between industry and public-funded research. A new model to bridge the research gap between the two sectors will be presented. Developed and established in the past five years, it allows industry access to independent research for product verification and provides a unique platform for technology transfer from academia to market. Examples will be shared on mode-of-action research (with commercialized products), and on technology transfer (with new inventions). The need for implementing a new independent research paradigm is urgent to identify beneficial technologies methodologically for building actionable portfolios to overcome pressures on plant performance, like disease and drought stress, and improve nutrition and productivity in broad growing systems. This is an essential step for achieving positive impact on society, local and global economies, and collectively on our planet for generations to come.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The audience will learn how to establish productive research partnerships across sectors
- How to expand capabilities and expertise through cross sector networking
- Academic faculty, students and postdocs will benefit from new potential resources
- This will provide an actionable solution to upgrade food production, consumer education and health, through a new design for agricultural impact
- It will fill a research gap that exists in the food systems by redesigning the ability and advantage of independent verification and validation of product claims
- Early-stage scientists will have new professional opportunities
- It will bring more accountability in the food system with the capability of optimization for maximum benefits and yields
