RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 134
The Rijk Zwaan Gene Bank
Genetic variation is essential for finding new traits
and creating new varieties. In 1994, new biodiversity
legislation is introduced (the ‘Rio Convention’).
Before then, genetic variation is considered to
be common property. After 1994, with the Rio
Convention, genetic variation is seen as the
property of the country in which it is located and
therefore cannot be used by others. This decision
marks a major change and leads to a drop in
the use of official gene banks located in many
countries.
In Rijk Zwaan’s view, there is only one thing to
do: set up its own gene bank! Many collecting
expeditions have led to Rijk Zwaan now having a
large collection of its own. And this is paying off.
Because by having its own gene bank, Rijk Zwaan
gains time in the race to develop varieties with
resistance to a new disease, for example.
Crop Management
The ongoing internationalisation of Rijk Zwaan
means that its product development activities need to be restructured. In the 1990s, they
are still organised by country. As the number
of subsidiaries increases, this is no longer an
efficient structure. Around the year 2000, the
decision is therefore made to set up global ‘crop
teams’. For each crop, one team is responsible
for global breeding and product development.
In the crop team, breeding, commercial activity
and supply are represented. In consultation with
the Board, the team determines which types will
be developed for which markets and which traits
should be prioritised in R&D.
Collection expeditions to collect wild
genetic material for the gene bank.
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Rijk Zwaan | Moving forward together
