Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seeds for Organic Agriculture: Development of Participatory Plant Breeding and Farmers’ Networks in France

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Organic Farming, Prototype for Sustainable Agricultures

Abstract

The lack of seeds and varieties suited to organic agriculture has been a problem for a long time. Conventional breeding strategies do not fit the needs of organic agriculture, which requires specific adaptation to the environment. Moreover, several current breeding methods do not respect the principles of organic agriculture. To overcome these limitations, organic farmers and their organisations initiated participatory plant breeding (PPB) programmes, together with researchers.

In France, this process became part of a movement of re-appropriation of breeding practices by farmers that aims at re-establishing their autonomy. These practices promote an agriculture linked to the “terroir” and culture with strong social and ethical values and, therefore, share many of the needs in terms of varieties with organic farmers. They often supply the same local markets. In 2003, the “French Farm Seed Network” (Réseau Semences Paysannes) was created in the aim of supporting PPB initiatives by facilitating collaboration with researchers and authorities concerning seed regulations.

Most often, farmers organise plant breeding activities by means of collective structures (cooperatives, associations, professional organisations, etc.). Some 30 species are concerned, including arable and vegetable crops. Researchers participate in projects from the outset to the evaluation of the process (e.g., evolution of the biodiversity). In this chapter, we analyse why PPB is particularly well adapted to breeding requirements for organic farming in general and, more specifically, to the situation in France. The consequences in terms of seed regulation in Europe are then discussed, opening up prospects for PPB and its contribution to breeding for organic varieties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Biotechnologies in plant breeding: all techniques that encompass the natural species barriers and reproductive processes, incompatible with organic principles (Lammerts van Bueren and Struik 2004).

  2. 2.

    www.tporganics.eu/.

  3. 3.

    www.semencespaysanne.org.

  4. 4.

    These farmers promote an agriculture linked to their region and culture with strong social and ethical values, and thus share many of the same needs in terms of seeds with organic farmers, often supplying the same local markets. The official certification is sometimes too expensive for small-scale farmers who prefer participatory certification (for example, Nature & Progrès, a private label in France).

  5. 5.

    Based on anecdotal evidence from consumers, they feel that these varieties induce less gluten intolerance (Mercier 2008).

  6. 6.

    www.solibam.eu.

  7. 7.

    http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/propagation/evaluation/index_en.htm.

References

  • Adams DC, Salois MJ (2010) Local versus organic: a turn in consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay. Renew Agr Food Syst 25(4):331–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Almekinders C, Hardon J (2006) Bringing farmers back into breeding. Experiences with participatory plant breeding and challenges for institutionalisation. Agromisa Special 5, p 135

    Google Scholar 

  • Almekinders CJM, Louwaars NP (2002) The importance of the farmers’ seed systems in a functional national seed sector. J New Seeds 4(1/2):15–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Almekinders CJM, Elings A (2001) Collaboration of farmers and breeders: Participatory crop improvement in perspective. Euphytica 122(3) 425–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen R, Tone W (2008) The farmers’ rights project—background study 7: success stories from the realization of farmers’ rights related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. FNI Report 4/2008. Lysaker, FNI, 2008, p 72

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson J, Ahnstrom J, Weibull A (2005) The effects of organic agriculture on biodiversity and abundance: a metaanalysis. J Appl Ecol 42:261–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishaw Z, Turner M (2008) Linking participatory plant breeding to the seed supply system. Euphytica 163:31–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bocci R, Chable V, Kastler G, Louwaars N (2011) Farm seed opportunities, recommendations for on farm conservation in Europe. In: Nigel Maxted, Ehsan Dulloo, Brian V. Ford-Lloyd, Jose M. Iriondo, M. A. A. Pinheiro de Carvalho (eds) Agrobiodiversity conservation: securing the diversity of crop wild relatives and landraces CABI Publishing, Oxford, p 400

    Google Scholar 

  • Bocci R, Chable V (2008) Les Réseaux Semences Paysannes en Europe et l’évolution des lois sur les semences—The Peasant Seeds Network in Europe and the evolution of seed laws. Cahiers d’études et de recherche francophones/Agricultures 17:216–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonneuil C (2008) Producing identity, industrializing purity. Elements for a cultural history of genetics. In: Müller-Wille S, Rheinberger H-J (eds) A cultural history of heredity IV. Preprint 343, Berlin, pp 81–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli S, Grando S (2007) Decentralized-participatory plant breeding: an example of demand-driven research. Euphytica 155(3) 349–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli S, Grando S, Singh M, Michael M, Shikho A, Al-Issa M, Al-Saleh A, Kaleonjy G, Al-Ghanem SM, Al-Hasan AL, Dalla H, Basha S, Basha T (2003) A methodological study on participatory barley breeding II. Response to selection. Euphytica 133(2) 185–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli S, Grando S, Baum M (2007) Participatory plant breeding in water-limited environments. Exp Agric 43(4)(October):411–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceccarelli S, Grando S, Tutwiler R, Baha J, Martini AM, Salahieh H, Goodchild A, Michael M (2000) A methodological study on participatory barley breeding—I. Selection phase. Euphytica 111(2) 91–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chable V, Berthellot J-F (2006) La sélection participative en France: Présentation des expériences en cours pour les agricultures biologiques et paysannes. In: Gasselin P, Clément O (eds) Quelles variétés et semences pour des agricultures paysannes durables? Dossiers de l’environnement de l’INRA 30:129–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Chable V, Conseil M, Serpolay E, Le Lagadec F (2008a) Organic varieties for cauliflowers and cabbages in Brittany: from genetic resources to participatory plant breeding. Euphytica 164:521–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chable V, Goldringer I, Hazard L, Serpolay E, Bocci R, Cardarelli A, Micheloni C, Roviglioni R, Lammerts Van BuerenET, Osman A, Soriano JJ, González JM, López P, Sánchez H, Valero T, Zaharia H, Kastler G, Levillain T, Van der Burg WJ, Groot SPC, Pimbert M, Thommen A, Schärer HJ, Van den Berge P, Almekinders C, Pino S, Bressan M, Padovan S, Kik C, Louwaars NP (2008b) “Farm Seed Opportunities”, a European program: what are the future prospects for organic varieties and seeds? 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Modena, Italy, June 16–20, 2008

    Google Scholar 

  • Chable V, Kastler G, Kochko de P (2011) Seed in transition: the trends of participatory plant breeding and “farmer breeding” in France. Heuksalim native seed institute. 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress, 26th Septembre–4th October 2011 Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Google Scholar 

  • Chable V, Louwaars N, Hubbard K, Baker B, Bocci R (2012) Plant breeding, variety release and seed commercialisation: laws and policies of concern to the organic sector. In: Lammerts van Bueren ET, Myers JR (eds) Organic crop breeding. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken. ISBN:978-0-470-95858–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JC, Murphy KM, Jones SS (2008) Decentralized selection and participatory approaches in plant breeding for low-input systems. Euphytica 160(2) 143–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JC, Rivière P, Berthellot JF, Mercier F, de Kochko P, Galic N, Pin S, Serpolay E, Thomas M, Giuliano S, Goldringer I (2011) Collaborative plant breeding for organic agricultural systems in developed countries. Sustainability 3(8):1206–1223. doi:10.3390/su3081206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JC, Serpolay E, Giuliano S, Schermann N, Galic N, Berthellot JF, Chesneau V, Ferté H, Mercier F, Osman A, Pino S, Goldringer I (2012a) Phenotypic diversity and evolution of farmer varieties of bread wheat on organic farms in Europe. Genet Resour Crop Evol 60:145–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JC, Serpolay E, Giuliano S, Schermann N, Galic N, Chable V, Goldringer I (2012b) Multi-trait evolution of farmer varieties of bread wheat after cultivation in contrasting organic farming systems in Europe. Genetica 140(1–3):1–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demeulenaere É, Bonneuil C (2012) Des semences en partage. Construction sociale et identitaire d’un collectif ‘paysan’ autour de pratiques semencières alternatives. Technol Cult 57(2011/2):202–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Demeulenaere E, Bonneuil C, Balfourier F, Basson A, Berthellot JF, Chesneau V, Ferté H, Galic N, Kastler G, Koenig J, Mercier F, Payement J, Pommart A, Ronot B, Rousselle Y, Supiot N, Zaharia H, Goldringer I (2008) Étude des complémentarités entre gestion dynamique à la ferme et gestion statique en collection: cas de la variété de blé Rouge de Bordeaux. Les Actes du BRG, 7:117–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Desclaux D (2005) Participatory plant breeding methods for organic cereals—proceeding of the COST-SUSVAR/ECO-PB workshop on organic plant breeding strategies and the uses of molecular markers—17–19 janvier 2005, Driebergen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Desclaux D, Nolot JM, Chiffoleau Y, Goze E, Leclerc C (2008) to fit agriculture diversification and decentralized Changes in the concept of genotype × environment interactions participatory plant breeding: pluridisciplinary point of view. Euphytica 163(3):533–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Döring TF, Pautasso M, Finckh MR, Wolfe MS (2012) Concepts of plant health—reviewing and challenging the foundations of plant protection. Plant Pathol 61:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duvick DN (2001) Biotechnology in the 1930s: the development of hybrid maize. Nature Rev 2:69–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Enjalbert J, Dawson JC, Paillard S, Rhoné B, Rousselle Y, Thomas M, Goldringer I (2011) Dynamic management of crop diversity: from an experimental approach to on-farm conservation. CR Biol 334(5–6):458–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FCEC (2009) Evaluation of the community acquis on the marketing of seed and plant propagating material (S & PM). Food chain evaluation consortium final report, European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumers. Retrieved at http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/propagation/evaluation/s_pm_evaluation_finalreport_en.pdf, on December 2010

  • Ghaouti L, Vogt-Kaute W, Link W (2008) Development of locally-adapted faba bean cultivars for organic conditions in Germany through a participatory breeding approach. Euphytica 162(2) 257–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldringer I, Enjalbert J, David JL, Paillard S, Pham JL, Brabant P (2001) Dynamic management of genetic resources: a 13 years experiment on wheat. In: Cooper HD, Spillane C, Hodgkin T (eds) Broadening the genetic bases of crop production. CAB International, Oxfordshire, pp 245–259

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • IFOAM (2005a) The principles of organic agriculture. http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/principles/index.html

  • IFOAM (2005b) Plant breeding draft standards. http://www.ifoam.org

  • Lammerts van Bueren ET, Soest LJM van, Groot LC de, Boukema IW, Osman AM (2005) Broadening the genetic base for better-adapted varieties for organic farming systems: participatory characterisation, evaluation and selection of onion accessions for new base populations. Euphytica 146(1/2) 125–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Lammerts van Bueren ET, Struik PC, Jacobsen E (2002) Ecological concepts in organic farming and their consequences for an organic crop ideotype. Netherlands J Agric Sci 50(1) 1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Lammerts van Bueren ET, Struik PC (2005) Integrity and rights of plants: Ethical notions in organic plant breeding and propagation. J Agric Environ Ethics 18(5) 479–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lammerts van Bueren ET, Struik PC, Tiemens-Hulscher M, Jacobsen E (2003) Concepts of intrinsic value and integrity of plants in organic plant breeding and propagation. Crop Sci 43(6) 1922–1929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lammerts van Bueren ET, Struik PC (2004) The consequences of the concept of naturalness for organic plant breeding and propagation. Neth J Agric Sci 52(1) 85–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Louette D, Smale M (2000) Farmers’ seed selection practices and traditional maize varieties in Cuzalapa, Mexico. Euphytica 113:25–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machado AT, Fernandes M (2001) Participatory maize breeding for low nitrogen tolerance. Euphytica 122:567–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercier F (2008) Petite histoire des blés. In: Zaharia H. Voyage autour des blés paysans. Réseau Semences Paysannes, Arts Graphiques Langlade, France, pp 23–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris M, Bellon MR (2004) Participatory plant breeding research: opportunities and challenges for the international crop improvement system. Euphytica 136:(1)21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy K, Lammer D, Lyon S, Carter B, Jones SS (2005) Breeding for organic and low-input farming systems: an evolutionary-participatory breeding method for inbred cereal grains. Renew Agr Food Syst 20(1):48–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osman AM, Almekinders CJM, Struik PC, Lammerts van Bueren ET (2008) Can conventional breeding programmes provide onion varieties that are suitable for organic farming in the Netherlands? In: Lammerts van Bueren ETL, ØOstergaård H, Goldringer I, Scholten O (eds) Euphytica 163(3)511–522

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostergard H, Finckh MR, Fontaine L, Goldringer I, Hoad SP, Kristensen K, van Bueren ETL, Mascher F, Munk L, Wolfe MS (2009) Time for a shift in crop production: embracing complexity through diversity at all levels. J Agr Food Inf 89(9):1439–1445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patto MCV, Moreira PM, Almeida N, Satovic Z, Pego S (2008) Genetic diversity evolution through participatory maize breeding in Portugal. Euphytica 161(1/2):283–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paull J (2006) The farm as organism: the foundational idea of organic agriculture. Elementals. Journal of Bio-Dynamics Tasmania 83:14–18. http://orgprints.org/10138/1/10138.pdf ­(Accessed on 01.05.2012)

  • Pressoir G, Berthaud J (2004) Population structure and strong divergent selection shape phenotypic diversification in maize landraces. Heredity 92:95–101

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sahu SK (2011) Localized food systems: the way toward sustainable livelihoods and ecological security—a review. J Anim Plant Sci 21(2 Suppl.):388–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Serpolay E, Dawson JC, Chable V, Lammerts Van Bueren E, Osman A, Pino S, Silveri D, Goldringer I (2011a) Diversity of different farmer and modern wheat varieties cultivated in contrasting organic farming conditions in Western Europe and implications for European seed and variety legislation. Org Agr 1(3):127–145. doi 10.1007/s13165–011-0011–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Serpolay E, Schermann N, Dawson JC, Lammerts van Bueren ET, Goldringer I, Chable V (2011b) Phenotypic changes in different spinach varieties grown and selected under organic conditions. Sustainability 3(9):1616–1636. doi:10.3390/su3091616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L, Ashby JA, Smith ME, Weltzien E, McGuire S (2001) A framework for analyzing participatory plant breeding approaches and results. Euphytica 122(3):439–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suneson CA (1956) An evolutionary plant breeding method. Agron J 48:188–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas M, Dawson JC, Goldringer I, Bonneuil C (2011) Seed exchanges, a key to analyze crop diversity dynamics in farmer-led on-farm conservation. Genet Resour Crop Ev 58:321–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas M, Demeulenaere E, Dawson JC, Khan A-R, Galic N, Jouanne-Pin S, Remoue C, Bonneuil C, Goldringer I (2012) On-farm dynamic management of genetic diversity: the impact of seed diffusions and seed saving practices on a population-variety of bread wheat. Evolutionary applications article first published online: 4 APR 2012. doi:10.1111/j.1752–4571.2012.00257.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanloqueren G, Baret PV (2009) How agricultural research systems shape a technological regime that develops genetic engineering but locks out agroecological innovations. Res Policy 38:971–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernooy R (2003) Seeds that give: participatory plant breeding. IDRC, Canada. www.idrc.ca/seeds

  • Weltzien E, Brocke KVom, Toure A, Rattunde F, Chantereau J (2008). Review and outlook for participatory plant breeding in West Africa. In: Bazile D, Weltzien E (eds) Cah Agric 17(2)165–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Witcombe JR, Joshi KD, Rana RB, Virk DS (2001) Increasing genetic diversity by participatory varietal selection in high potential production systems in Nepal and India. Euphytica 122(3) 575–588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witcombe JR, Joshi KD, Gyawali S, Musa AM, Johansen C, Virk DS, Stapit BR et al (2005) Participatory Plant Breeding is better described as highly client-oriented plant breeding. I. Four indications of client-orientation in plant breeding. Exp Agr 41 299–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe MS, Baresel JP, Desclaux D, Goldringer I, Hoad S, Kovacs G, Loeschenberger F, Miedaner T, Østergård H, van Bueren ETL (2008) Developments in breeding cereals for organic agriculture. Euphytica 163(3) 323–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe MS (2000) Crop strength through diversity. Nature 406:681–682

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wyss E, Pfiffner L (2008) Biodiversity in organic horticulture—an indicator for sustainability and a tool for pest management. In: Prange RK, Bishop SD (eds) Acta Horticulturae 767:75–80

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, UR980 SAD-Paysage, 65 rue de Saint Brieuc, 35000, Rennes, France

    Véronique Chable

  2. INRA-CNRS-INAPG-Université de Paris 11, UMR0320 Génétique Végétale, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    Julie Dawson & Isabelle Goldringer

  3. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1575 Linden Drive, 53706, Madison, WI, USA

    Julie Dawson

  4. AIAB, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Bocci

Authors
  1. Véronique Chable
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julie Dawson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Riccardo Bocci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Isabelle Goldringer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Véronique Chable .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Unité Ecodéveloppement, INRA, Avignon Cedex 09, France

    Stéphane Bellon

  2. Unité Ecodéveloppement, INRA, Avignon Cedex 09, France

    Servane Penvern

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chable, V., Dawson, J., Bocci, R., Goldringer, I. (2014). Seeds for Organic Agriculture: Development of Participatory Plant Breeding and Farmers’ Networks in France. In: Bellon, S., Penvern, S. (eds) Organic Farming, Prototype for Sustainable Agricultures. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7927-3_21

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation