Assessing the seed and breeding system in organic agriculture

Abstract

This dissertation deals with the value chain for seed and cultivars in European organic agriculture. According to the EU organic regulation, propagation material in organic farming should be organically produced, although organic farmers can apply for the use of non-chemically treated, non-organic seed (NCT) through a derogation. This dissertation develops and evaluates strategies for transitioning toward 100% or near 100% organic seed and cultivar use. The first two research foci (Studies 1 and 2) were ex-post evaluations of the status quo of the social welfare gain of organic breeding, the financing of organic breeding, and the relationship between marketing channels and farmers' seed choices, as well as their attitudes toward organic seed and cultivars. The third and fourth research foci were ex ante policy evaluations using simulation models to test policy instruments that could promote an increased use and production of organic seed and breeding. In Study 1, a significant social welfare gain from an organically bred winter wheat cultivar could be calculated, showing that organic cultivars can be beneficial from a societal perspective. This could not be confirmed in Studies 3 and 4, as no advantages at farm level could be detected. In Study 2, an inventory of existing organic breeding initiatives showed that uncertain and inadequate funding seems to be one of the main obstacles for organic breeding to meet current market standards. To address this issue, Study 2 proposes a voluntary action under community funding with binding contracts and clear communication strategies as a result of stakeholder dialogue. In addition, as the elimination of the NCT seed derogation is planned, it seems justified to consider policy measures to increase the use of organic seed. This is the focus of the third and fourth publications. Looking at the scenario of phasing out the derogations in the case studies, it is possible to achieve a full use of organic seed without further measures in the case of durum wheat in Italy. In the case of ryegrass in England and carrots in Germany, it would be necessary to make organic seed production more efficient as a first step. This work provides a toolkit that can guide policy makers, organic farmers, organic seed producers and breeders, and other stakeholders in the organic sector and beyond.