Uri Krieger’s roots go deep when it comes to developing new types of vegetable. Recently appointed as global head of vegetables and flowers R&D at Syngenta, he says he’s determined to use his background in plant breeding to overcome public scepticism about genetics and, even more crucially, to help growers produce more and better crops with greater efficiency.

“By 2050, the world population will be around 30 per cent higher, at about 10bn, so demand for food is expected to grow,” Krieger tells Fruitnet’s Chris White in the latest edition of Fruitbox. “We’re going to have many more people and increased consumption.”

At the same time, producers need to know that the vegetables they grow in future can cope with changes in climate, he insists. “We have to find ways to grow our food more efficiently, [because] at the same time the amount of resources available, like water and soil, have either stayed flat or in some cases have been reduced.”

He adds: “Our challenge as an industry is to find a sustainable solution, to grow much more with far less.”

Hosted by Chris White in London, Fruitbox now attracts a big audience across the global fruit and vegetable business that tunes in twice a week to hear exclusive interviews and expert analysis.

Produced by Fruitnet Media International, the show is essential listening for everyone in the fresh produce industry.

Episode 33 of Fruitbox is sponsored by Syngenta Vegetable Seeds.

To find out how you can tell your story on Fruitbox, email chris@fruitnet.com.

To learn about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, email advertising@fruitnet.com.

The latest episode of Fruitbox, as well as all previous episoides, can be found on any of the following podcast services:

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