Dear readers,

You could describe the woman on our cover, Paloma Moe, as a true inventor and explorer. She works at our Shakopee location in the U.S., making our varieties even more resistant to pests. You can find out what all that has to do with an air pump, smoothie cups and other creative methods in the portrait.

Sustainability isn’t just a duty, but a real opportunity for us, says Sophie Winter. As Corporate Sustainability Manager, she ensures that we continue to pursue our sustainability strategy, speak with clear data and work transparently. She explains that sustainability involves more than protecting the environment.

Small creepy-crawlies, but big pests? Insects such as the flea beetle or the beet moth are a growing plague for our crops. Aurélie Bak and her team are therefore working on identifying genes that are suitable for developing promising new traits. In this issue, you can read about what tricks plants have up their sleeves to defend against insects.