Synopsis

Dr Mike Jackson has had a remarkable career in genetic resource research, curation, and management spanning multiple crops and countries. From potatoes in Peru to rice in the Philippines, Dr Jackson has dedicated his life’s work to preserving genetic diversity in crops essential for food security. 

In this episode of Plant Breeding Stories, Dr Jackson shares why having a diverse pool of genetic resources is critical for the survival of modern agriculture. He discusses his work at the International Potato Centre and the International Rice Research Institute, where he supported programs to advance genetic diversity, breeding outcomes and agronomics for potatoes and rice. Jackson also explains some of the challenges of maintaining modern gene banks, including securing funding, effectively managing data and adequately preserving genetic material. 

Find out more about Dr Jackson on Twitter @mikejackson1948 and via his blog https://mikejackson1948.blog/