The recognition that specific seeds and varieties were needed for organic agriculture progressively arose at the end of the last century.

 Several factors combined to make the situation increasingly difficult for organic farmer:

breeding methods using biotechnologies became more prevalent;

varieties selected for conventional agriculture were less and less adapted to organic systems; 

European regulations obliged certified organic farmers to use organically produced seeds;

the organic seed market was not economically attractive for seed companies.

The development of organic, low-input or non-conventional agricultural practices is also related to the diversification of public demands, in particular for organic farming and local products. These agricultural systems are based on varieties covering a wide range of genetic states and categories, for which the criteria of stability and homogeneity are not intrinsic qualities and are not necessarily required. Landraces and local varieties are often involved in this form of agriculture.

Thus, the shortcomings or unsuitability of conventional varieties with respect to the needs of organic farming has stimulated farmers’ initiatives and several Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) experiences for organic farming, e.g. in France and the Netherlands (Chable 2005, Lammerts van Bueren 2005, Desclaux, 2005). PPB varieties can be bred from diverse genetic resources using breeding methods that are in compliance with the IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) draft standards for organic plant breeding (IFOAM, 2005). Their main characteristics are the ability to adapt and co-evolve within the environment and with farmers’ practices and needs. They are not necessarily bound to a geographical area and the role of seed exchange in traditional agricultural practices has been widely acknowledged (e.g. Almekinders et al. 2000; Alvarez et al. 2005; Bertaud et al. 2001; Elias et al. 2001).

     The case of France

In France, in parallel to officially certified organic production, a movement of re-appropriation of the farmers’ breeding practices is emerging with the aim to regain farmers’ autonomy (called “agriculture paysanne”). These farmers promote an agriculture linked to their region and culture with strong social and ethical values, and thus they share many of the same needs in terms of seeds with organic farmers, and often supply the same local markets. A group of farmer-bakers (“paysans-boulangers”) includes both organic farmers and “paysans”. Because their breads are made with traditional baking methods, because they do not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers and because need locally adapted varieties/populations, modern certified varieties with short straw are not appropriate. Thus, they develop their own bread wheat varieties based on historical resources including landraces (XIX century) or old varieties (1900-1950) and using different selection strategies (mass selection, designing mixtures, crossing,...). Based on anecdotal evidence from consumers, they feel that these varieties induce less gluten intolerance (Mercier F., 2008).

Currently, more than 30 species are concerned, mainly arable crops and vegetables, and nearly all parts of the country are involved.  Only the central plain region with very large farms with arable culture was not concerned. In 2009, several others species will be introduced, especially forage and fibre cultures. For the farmers, the objectives can be considered at several levels: the crops themselves, the cropping systems, the development of organic farming and the recognition of social and ethical issues.

An umbrella level of organisation has been created to federate the first initiatives.

In France, before the development of PPB actions, several pioneer farmers, mainly using organic practices, had initiated the conservation of and/or selection from traditional or historic varieties for many species. In 2003, the national organic organisation and several agricultural trade unions organized a meeting Auzeville, France. There, they met other farmers involved in similar initiatives and shared their first experiences with researchers who had initiated PPB actions or were involved in the management of genetic resources and small-scale breeding companies. This event consolidated the farmers’ determination to take charge of the future of their varieties and seeds, and is also considered the starting point for a new form of collaboration between researchers and farmers in France. The association “Réseau Semences Paysannes” (peasant seed network), was born after this meeting and brings together several local networks, assuring a link between farmers and authorities to stimulate the necessary adaptation of French registration laws (Bocci and Chable, 2008). Beside the formal seed market, the Réseau Semences Paysannes calls for ongoing seed exchanges between farmers, gardeners and the other actors involved in biodiversity conservation. The ITPGRFA recognised the past, current and future contribution of the farmer in creating and renewing cultivated biodiversity (Andersen and Winge, 2008)

References