In this episode of our podcast Amrit Nanda, Executive Manager of Plants for the Future ETP, discusses the importance of plant breeding, public-private collaboration, and science-based policymaking in the EU. She highlights the platform’s mission to connect academia, industry, and policymakers, and to improve science communication through initiatives like “Plantastic Discoveries.” A recent study on 20 years of EU research funding revealed limited growth for plant breeding despite strong overall program growth. Amrit stresses the need for long-term funding models, more support for Eastern Europe, and the potential of gene editing and AI.