#10 Similar in nature but not in detail – entering the vegetable business

Vegetables are not only healthy, they are also an important part of
a sustainable diet. In view of changing eating habits, their
economic importance is growing worldwide. Reason enough for KWS to
diversify its portfolio and enter the long-term growth market for
vegetable seeds: In 2019, the company announced the acquisition of
the Dutch breeding company Pop Vriend, the market leader in
spinach, and began the long-term, organic development of a new
Business Unit with various crops. How do you develop a new business
from scratch? How does vegetable breeding differ from other
segments in which KWS is active? And what traits are particularly
important to customers along the value chain? We discuss these and
other questions with our experts Simon Walter, Head of Business
Unit Vegetables, and Coert Engels, Global Head of Breeding
Vegetables. In the second part of the episode, we talk to an expert
who knows a thing or two about communicating complex plant science
topics: David Spencer is a molecular biologist, science slammer,
author and influencer. In the podcast, he talks about his
fascination with science slams, the importance of science
communication, the "superpowers" of plants, and the role of genetic
engineering for sustainable agriculture.