In October 2025, scientists from around the world gathered in Wuhan, China, for the International Workshop on Global Crop Yield Potential. More than a scientific meeting, the workshop represented the beginning of a coordinated international effort to strengthen research on crop yield potential through standardized methodologies and global collaboration. Researchers working across different crops, climates, and production systems came together with a common objective: developing a shared framework that would allow yield potential to be assessed consistently across regions while generating comparable, science-based data. From discussion to a common protocol One of the workshop's most important outcomes was the agreement to develop standardized experimental protocols for yield potential research. Although agronomic conditions vary greatly between countries, the network recognized the importance of establishing common methodologies that would allow results from different environments to be directly compared. These protocols provide guidance on experimental design, crop management, measurements, and minimum data requirements, ensuring consistency across all participating research groups. Standardization is essential for understanding not only how much crops can produce under optimal management, but also why productivity differs among regions. Building a global research network The workshop also strengthened a growing international network of researchers committed to improving our understanding of crop productivity. Since Wuhan, collaborative field experiments have been established across multiple countries, evaluating crops under local conditions while following a common scientific framework. Today, the network continues to expand through experiments conducted in diverse environments, generating valuable information on yield potential, crop performance, nutrient management, resource-use efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Why does this matter? Reliable estimates of yield potential provide the foundation for more informed agricultural decisions. By understanding the gap between actual farm yields and attainable production, researchers, policymakers, and farmers can identify opportunities to improve productivity while using resources more efficiently. This information supports better nutrient management, improved economic planning, more efficient use of inputs, and strategies that contribute to sustainable agricultural intensification. Looking ahead The conversations initiated in Wuhan continue to shape the future of the Yield Potential Network. As more countries join the initiative and additional field experiments are established, the network is generating a unique global dataset that will improve our understanding of crop productivity across environments and production systems. Through international collaboration, standardized research, and shared scientific knowledge, the Yield Potential Network is helping build the evidence needed to produce more food with greater efficiency and sustainability.