From drought-tolerant maize to flood-resistant rice, improved seeds are helping farmers maintain yields in increasingly hostile environments. But while the science has advanced, the systems around it have not.
Smarter seeds, slower systems: Why innovation won’t matter without regulatory reform
Charles Miller; Director of Strategic Alliances | Solynta
Extreme weather is becoming the new normal, and agriculture is paying the price. In the last five years, climate-related shocks have caused over $80 billion in global crop losses. But while science is delivering solutions, such as seeds that resist drought, disease, and flood, most farmers can’t access them. Why? Our regulatory systems are too slow to keep up with the pace of innovation.
From historic droughts in East Africa to devastating floods in Pakistan, climate shocks threaten food security like never before. Farmers, regardless of geography, are feeling the pressure to produce more food with fewer resources. While the Global South often bears the brunt due to fragile infrastructure, no country is immune. This is a shared crisis that requires coordinated, global solutions.
One of the most effective tools for adaptation begins underground: the seed. Modern breeding has made it possible to develop crops that can withstand climate stress, resist pests and diseases, and grow with fewer chemical inputs. From drought-tolerant maize to flood-resistant rice, improved seeds are helping farmers maintain yields in increasingly hostile environments. But while the science has advanced, the systems around it have not.
Seed innovation alone isn’t enough. These breakthroughs need to reach the farmers who need them quickly and reliably. That means navigating a patchwork of outdated, fragmented, and often inconsistent regulatory systems.
Right now, the lack of harmonized global regulation for seed movement and commercial registration is a major roadblock. Each country has its own processes and timelines. The result? Delays, duplication, and in many cases, a total lack of access to climate-resilient seeds. And while the climate crisis accelerates, the tools to fight it remain stuck in regulatory limbo.
When regulatory systems do allow for innovation to flow, the results are clear:
In Nigeria, drought-tolerant maize increased yields by ~13% and reduced yield variability by over 50%, helping lower poverty and food insecurity. In South Asia, flood-tolerant “scuba rice” (Swarna-Sub1) survives 1–2 weeks of submergence and delivers up to 45% higher yields during floods, with no penalty in normal seasons. In West Africa, farmers growing climate-resilient groundnut varieties increased yields by 345 kg/ha, boosting both food security and income.
In Kenya, Solynta’s late blight–resistant hybrid true potato seeds (HTPS) were compared to a popular local variety under smallholder conditions. Both the local variety and the hybrids were grown without fungicide, reflecting typical low-input practices. The hybrids delivered three to four times higher yields, demonstrating the power of modern breeding in real-world conditions.
Modern seeds are also transforming agricultural supply chains. For instance, Solynta’s HTPS replaces bulky, disease-prone tubers with lightweight, clean seed. Just 25 grams of true seed replaces 2,500 kilograms of tubers per hectare - a 100,000-fold reduction in weight. This slashes shipping costs, emissions, and disease risk, making supply chains leaner and more climate-smart.
Despite this promise, many farmers never see these innovations. Regulatory systems are often slow, unclear, and misaligned. It can take up to 7 years for a new variety to move from development to approval in some countries. That’s the time we can’t afford to lose.
Even more concerning is a growing trend: policymakers banning commonly used agrochemicals without first providing viable alternatives. In 2024, the European Union withdrew a proposed 50% pesticide reduction target after widespread protests from farmers who feared crop losses without replacements. In Sri Lanka, a sudden nationwide ban on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in 2021 led to a dramatic drop in yields, food shortages, and an economic crisis.
This is where breeding can lead. Solynta’s late blight–resistant potatoes, for example, dramatically reduce the need for fungicide, one of the most used and restricted chemical groups in potato farming. Field trials in Kenya and beyond show these hybrids achieving high yields with zero fungicide use. When breeding builds resilience into the seed, it reduces dependency on external inputs, making agriculture both safer, more sustainable, and more adaptable.
To move forward, we need a global regulatory environment that matches the speed of innovation. Harmonizing seed laws, aligning phytosanitary procedures, and streamlining variety registration are all crucial steps. Regional initiatives like those by the African Union and ASEAN are promising but need more support and coordination.
Crucially, regulators must work alongside the full agricultural value chain. Breeders, researchers, seed companies, farmers, and local authorities all have a stake in building practical, science-based systems. Regulation cannot be built in isolation–it must reflect the realities of the field.
It’s time for policymakers to prioritize regulatory modernization. We urge national governments, regional bodies, and international institutions to work with the private sector and farmers to build an agile, transparent, and fit-for-purpose regulatory system.
The climate crisis won’t wait, and neither should the solutions. Let’s unlock the full potential of modern breeding and make sure that every farmer, in every country, has access to the seeds that can secure our food future. Every season of delay is a missed opportunity to feed communities more sustainably. The seeds are ready—now the systems must be too.
 Solynta Charles Miller in Solynta field.jpeg)
This op-ed was authored by Charles Miller; Director of Strategic Alliances at Solynta, a global leader in hybrid potato innovation.
Charles Miller is the director of strategic alliances & development for Solynta, a company specializing in hybrid true potato seed breeding. With a focus on revenue generation and strategic alliance building, his expertise in the seed industry drives him to address the global challenge of food security. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, Charles strives to shape a sustainable and well-nourished future for communities worldwide.
Before joining Solynta, Charles worked for Chromatin Inc., where he led the company's international business development and sales as Vice President. Prior to working with Chromatin, he was a principal at the sorghum company MMR Genetics/Richardson Seeds. After its acquisition by NuFarm, he became the Global Development Manager for the sorghum business. Prior to that, for many years, Charles worked for Mars, Inc., where he gained deep experience in trading, logistics, and treasuries.
Currently, Miller serves on the Board of Directors of the African Seed Trade Association, is vice Chair of the plant breeding and innovation committee, and is on the American Seed Trade Association’s international executive committee.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AgriTechTomorrow
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