Stimulating organic farmers to participate in on-farm selection by providing training courses in plant breeding

Edith T. Lammerts van Bueren, Coen ter Berg. 2006. Stimulating organic farmers to participate in on-farm selection by providing training courses in plant breeding. 11-13 juni 2006.
Pagina's / pages: 4
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Taal/language: Engels
Abstract / summary in English:

Nowadays in modern agriculture very few (organic) farmers are involved in on-farm selection activities to improve varieties. They depend on commercial breeding companies for organic propagated seeds and for improved varieties. As only few breeding companies invest in organic seed production and even less in breeding programs for the organic market, the organic sector must find ways to produce improved and better adapted varieties. One of the solutions to meet the needs of the organic sector is to stimulate the commitment of farmer-breeders to enlarge the capacity to gain better adapted, open pollinating varieties. However, many interested farmers hesitate because much of the breeding process is unknown to them. For this purpose short introduction courses including theoretical and practical aspects of plant breeding were setup for organic farmers in the Netherlands from 2002-2004. In this paper the setup of these training courses is described and the effectiveness is evaluated. The conclusion is that such sort introduction courses on plant breeding, including theoretical and practical sessions, is a valuable instrument to stimulate more numbers of farmer-breeders. But it also became clear that follow-up activities are needed, such as more specialized and advanced training courses, professional guidance and meetings to exchange knowledge and experiences.

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