Several
factors led to the development of the Seed Biotechnology
Center (SBC). First, California is home to a large and
significant industry producing seeds of a wide array of crop
and ornamental species. Due to its size and international
importance, the Californian seed industry deserved to have an
academic research and extension center through which to
interface with the University of California and the
Agricultural Experiment Station.
Second, in the late 1990's it became
evident that with the development of biotechnology, seeds
would be the delivery system through which new innovations in
crop production would be commercialized. In addition, as the
value of the total product delivered via seeds increases, the
cost of seeds will also rise, further emphasizing their
quality and performance. Thus, the SBC has the mission both to
advance the development of new agricultural technologies and
to assist in their commercialization and delivery via seeds.
Finally, the creation of the SBC is
the result of a partnership between the seed industry and the
University of California, Davis. The College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis provided initial
operational funding to get the SBC started, and the California
seed industry currently provides funding through a
state-sanctioned assessment program. In addition, seed
companies and private foundations provided almost $1.5 million
in contributions and pledges to build offices and research
laboratories for the SBC, which are currently under
construction.
