Overview
Belgium has a strong international reputation in plant science, with excellent research being conducted in diverse domains including but not limited to biodiversity monitoring and conservation, seed banks and herbarium collections, taxonomy, ecology, agroecology, agronomy, precision agriculture, phenology, breeding, physiology, molecular biology, plant-microbe interactions and plant pathology, and biotechnology. However, collaborations between research institutions have traditionally been sporadic, often limited to individual projects. The Belgian Plant Science Community (BPSC) was created to address these gaps by fostering a structured and unified network that strengthens collaboration, enhances visibility, and creates a collective voice for plant science in Belgium.
Challenges
Relevance for Humans (Public Awareness & Outreach)
- The role of plant science in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security is not well understood (Plant Blindness).
- Plant research is underrepresented in educational curricula at different levels.
- Public and policymakers lack awareness of the societal and economic value of plant science.
- There is limited engagement of researchers in science communication and outreach activities.
- There is a disconnection between city and country relevance; between natural, agricultural and urban ecosystems.
Science – From Competition to Collaboration
- Institutional fragmentation prevents large-scale collaborations and knowledge exchange.
- Funding models incentivize competition rather than cooperation among research groups. There is a limited number of specific funding channels available for plant science (and not for long term projects).
- There is a lack of shared infrastructure and databases for plant science research.
- Researchers struggle to find relevant expertise due to the absence of a centralized network.
Political Action & Science Policy
- No single entity currently represents plant science interests at the policy level.
- Policymakers rarely consult plant scientists when making decisions related to agriculture, sustainability, or biodiversity.
- The fragmented funding landscape between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels makes securing national support difficult.
- Belgian plant science is not always well-integrated into broader European research agendas.
Business Case for the Community
- The BPSC currently lacks a sustainable financial model.
- There is uncertainty regarding the long-term governance structure of the BPSC network.
- Administrative and operational support for running the community is not yet in place.
- The balance between inclusivity and efficiency in decision-making remains a challenge.
Business Case for the Economy
- Plant research in Belgium could be more connected to industry, including agritech and biotech sectors.
- There are few incentives for translating fundamental research into commercial applications.
- There is a need for dedicated funding to support industry-academic collaborations and to overcome the TRL-gap.
- Belgium lags behind neighboring countries in linking plant research to economic and sustainability goals.