Promotion of EU seeds for a sustainable and autonomous Europe

Maize and sorghum seeds produced in the EU are crops with major environmental and economic impact, offering many opportunities. The support from the EU’s agri-food promotional programme is key to boosting the promotion and development of both crops within a limited budget. Maize and sorghum are complementary crops, providing solutions for diversification, sustainability and profitability for farmers, breeders and other manufacturers (feed, biogas). Maize is the most cultivated cereal globally, with many uses, especially in animal feed (pigs, poultry, dairy cows) and industrial processing. Sorghum also offers many outlets in feed (grain and silage), biogas and food. Their promotion can contribute to the achievement of the long-term climate and environmental objectives as set out in the European Green Deal, the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Farm-to-Fork Strategy as well as addressing some of the general objectives of Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014.

Based on the successful implementation of the SeedsEU2021 campaign, the SustainableSeedsEU campaign aims to serve as a continuation of that specific project. Building on the expertise and lessons learnt throughout the process, the FNPSMS and PZPK intend to create and spread a new argumentation and new communication tools to highlight the assets of maize and sorghum, using broad channels and targeted means, for the B2B audience in France, Poland, Germany, Romania and Hungary. These countries were selected for their climate, consumption trends, potential gains in acreage and production potential. The aim of this campaign is to improve farmers’ and other agricultural professionals’ knowledge about EU maize and sorghum seeds, increase acreage and consolidate and develop the EU seed market share to improve food sovereignty and seed security. Actions will take into account the agronomic potential aspects of both crops as well as their contribution to the long-term sustainability and security of EU agriculture.