The California Advantage
California has a diversified climate for seed production and is known around the world for the quality of seeds produced in the state. Most international seed companies have research and production facilities in California, growing and processing seeds of a wide array of vegetables, flowers and agronomic crops. Over half of the seeds produced in California are marketed nationally or internationally, highlighting the importance of California's seed industry in the global agricultural economy.
In addition, California is at the forefront of the biotechnology industry, fueled by fundamental scientific discoveries from academic institutions and aggressive private sector entrepreneurship.
As the plant biotechnology and seed industries merge to integrate genetic engineering and traditional breeding into improved crop varieties, California is a preferred location for expansion and investment by this industry. Together, the rapid advances in plant biotechnology, the increasing importance of seeds as a genetic delivery system, and the unique agricultural and natural resources of California provides a compelling rationale for the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center.