ISF2024 - Plantum

Welcome to the Netherlands, the Champions League of the global seed industry. This year the World Seed Congress celebrated 100 years of the International Seed Federation (ISF). Plantum was proud to host this anniversary congress and was honoured that His Majesty King Willem-Alexander opened this special celebration. It was hard to imagine a better confirmation of the importance of the international seed and young plant sector and the role of the Netherlands therein.

ISF 2024 Highlights

Seed world gathers in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

The International Seed Federation (ISF) is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the country where the (vegetable) seed sector started to flourish: the Netherlands. Seeds play a crucial role at the start of the food value chain, providing a wealth of knowledge and power. High-quality seeds, when carefully cultivated, lead to robust crops that are resilient to climate change and plant diseases, benefiting farmers, growers and consumers alike. Plantum, the Dutch industry association, is looking forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to the World Seed Congress in Rotterdam from 27-29 May.

Food security: Seeds at the start of the food chain

Just as nutritious food is a fundamental need for people, so too are high-quality seeds and starting materials are for farmers and growers in order to achieve healthy plants and better harvests. Food security originates at the source: seeds. Hence, companies in the seed sector allocate approximately 30% of their revenue to research and development (R&D) to breed and develop varieties for the future.

Big Green Chair

A huge eye-catcher during the ISF Congress in Rotterdam Ahoy is the Big Green Plantum Chair, which is prominently placed in the entrance hall. Over the course of two days, more than 1,000 different plants, flowers and vegetables will be planted on the chair, which is approximately 3 metres high and 3 metres wide. When fully assembled, the chair weighs around 1,500 kilos.

A warm, green welcome to ISF

The Dutch seed sector, united in Plantum, has created a green oasis in the area to welcome the visitors to the ISF Congress in Ahoy.

Team Plantum welcomes visitors at airport

Team Plantum welcomed participants to the ISF Congress at Schiphol on Saturday and Sunday.

Opening ISF 2024

His majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands opened ISF 2024. We are really honored by his presence at ISF.

Woman's lunch about the importance of females in the sector

Five women from very different backgrounds and a room full of women and a few men discussed about the importance of getting women involved in all levels of the seed sector. Led by Simone van Trier, great conversations emerged about challenges, opportunities and empowerment.

Thank you for your inspirational contributions Lorena Basso, Jaine Chisholm Caunt, Fenna Kester, Maya Muller and Ebunoluwa Ijeoma.

Press tour to three prominent seed companies

To wrap up the ISF 100 celebration, Plantum took national and international journalists on a press tour to three prominent seed companies. They visited Syngenta, East West Seed and Rijk Zwaan.