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Australian breeder combines business and research

Graham Brown is both a Research Associate at Sydney University’s Plant Breeding Institute, and Research Manager at Abundant Produce, which is a publically listed company. Is it difficult being part of a traditional research institution and a fast moving, export-oriented commercial enterprise at the same time?

"Haha, well fortunately I have some very capable colleagues at both," he says. "Actually it’s a match made in Heaven. With the help of the extra resources and commercial focus that Abundant brings to the table, the Plant Breeding Institute was able to expand into new areas of research, and attract and equip more students and researchers.

"From Abundant’s point of view, the advantages are at least as great.
 
"In international science and research circles, Australia has a great reputation for its plant science and agricultural knowledge.
 
"International consumers also see Australia as a safe, ‘clean and green’ food producer, perfectly placed geographically to feed the growing Asian middle class demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. In China particularly, Australian food is in great demand. The Australian brand represents food safety and healthiness.
 
"After the Second World War Australia developed a tradition for breeding vegetable crops suited to local conditions. But in the eighties and nineties, our breeders were bought by European multinationals with deep pockets. The problem is, the breeding tends to focus on Central European conditions.
 
"That’s where Sydney University comes in. It has extensive greenhouse and laboratory resources and, of course, world class scientists. The cost for Abundant to replicate all of these resources would be prohibitive, not to mention wasteful. Instead Abundant has access to cutting-edge resources at a cost that allows us to compete with big overseas breeders."

Read the full interview at Abundant Produce
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