Barriers to the adoption of open-pollinated varieties in the organic farming sector: a case study of small-scale vegetable production in France

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Seeds are a critical, influential element of agricultural production and sustainability. The European organic farming sector has specific standards targets regarding its seed supply. Ideally, seeds should be grown organically, participate in the conservation biodiversity, contribute to autonomy farmers, bred into reproducible cultivars. Inbred lines open-pollinated varieties, along with heterogeneous material, fit this criterion. In case study small-scale vegetable South-East France, we analyze gap between sector’s reproducibility their actual implementation when farmers buy seeds. data were collected through focus group interviews 15 seven other actors value chain. While all sample consider varieties more aligned principles agriculture peasant farming, perception operational relevance OP currently available companies’ catalogues varies leads contrasted varietal choices. Perceived advantages over hybrids include ethical hedonic aspects context-specific technical advantages. On hand, listed hybrid mostly about productivity, disease resistance access recommendations. This paper discusses how technical, economic, educational, social contexts influence farmers’ choices versus varieties. We highlight 11 barriers adoption use These present market, at farm level, as well education extension sectors. Our findings suggest that activating various levers is needed make it feasible for choose call further assessment conditions required wider range across Europe.

Language: Английский

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Sustainability Perspectives of Organic Farming and Plant Factory Systems—From Divergences towards Synergies

Horticulturae, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(8), P. 895 - 895

Published: Aug. 7, 2023

Closed plant production systems are generally considered sustainable. Such capable of minimizing externalities due to resource recycling. There two systems, apparently diverging, recently as the counterparts today’s conventional agricultural practice: organic farming (OF) and factories (PFs). With a strong regulatory background, OF integrates into natural ecosystems by agrochemical use, while PFs create an artificial environment where all factors can be fine-tuned according needs crop. In this study, both investigated based on their similarities constraints; for this, three pillars were selected indicators reviewed sustainability literature data: I. II. growing media III. species along with certain socio-economic factors. The reasons co-existence highlighted in every aspect. Alternatives sustainable use introduced. PF-targeted selection variety breeding necessary maximize facility utilization. main barriers system interoperability identified restrictions. present global processes envisage trends future, such threats living ecosystems, allocation, urbanization impacts, intensification, economics PFs, local supply chains, education about consumer acceptance PF products, discrepancies regulations. These aspects will certainly trigger further research scientific community.

Language: Английский

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Systemizing a rural livelihood diversification framework for sustainable community-based agritourism: A participatory approach to ensure resilience

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Dec. 2, 2022

Introduction Situated approaches of rural livelihood diversification, such as community-based agritourism, can localize sustainable food systems at the regional level. This research advances an integrated framework indicators to assess interdisciplinary benefits diversification practices for local and community resilience. Methods We built a on four dimensions deducted from secondary data: (1) environmental, (2) sociocultural, (3) economic, (4) health. These were validated with inductive analysis primary data, which we collected panel experts content validity index tested in three case studies shadow observation qualitative interviews. conducted both in-depth interviews leaders ( n = 10) semi-structured multi-sectoral stakeholders 40). Results Findings identify comprehensive list health advance participatory approach prioritize according their relevance (co-developed involved Bangkok's systems). Food tourism connects by preserving agrobiodiversity communities' traditions creating new capacity building opportunities community-driven socio-economic development recognizing indigenous foods. Discussion study contributes value-added conceptualization agritourism practice. Such effort highlights importance co-producing ground-truthing localizing goals.

Language: Английский

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Estimating Supply and Demand of Organic Seeds in Europe Using Survey Data and MI Techniques

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(17), P. 10761 - 10761

Published: Aug. 29, 2022

The lack of sufficient information about organic seed production and use is among the key factors affecting development market in EU. Currently, only very basic data are being reported at country level. Those available from each member state seldom comparable over time between countries sometimes even within one country. This study provides first overall statistics on European supply demand. Estimates demand twelve important crops EU agriculture provided by developing testing innovative approaches to improve collection analysis, such as multiple imputation (MI) techniques estimate missing values. estimates based extracted official datasets 2014 2018 collected an online survey 756 farmers, well various expert assessments across results were four geographical regions, with a specific focus wheat, lucerne, carrot, apple. Although strong sector regional differences currently characterise market, considerably exceeds for most crops. Generally, farms central northern regions revealed higher than those southern eastern wheat other A significant output this recommendations methodologies increase transparency availability data.

Language: Английский

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Forever niche: Why do organically bred vegetable varieties not diffuse?

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 45, P. 83 - 100

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

While organic food increased its market share in conventional retail, virtually all vegetables are still conventionally bred. For decades, organically bred vegetable varieties remained a niche, despite their socio-ecological benefits. This paper conceptualizes actors and activities around breeding as Technological Innovation System (TIS) analyzes what prevents these from widely diffusing into supermarkets. Investigated systemic barriers relate to knowledge, formation, investments, legitimacy. The study is based on interviews with retailers (commons-based) initiatives across Germany. Theoretically, the adds an innovation system perspective diffusion of varieties, blind spot emerging seed commons debate. Furthermore, it contributes sustainability transitions literature by introducing novel empirical topic reframing TIS framework analyze agri-food innovations. Identifying vicious cycles might support practitioners policymakers seeking diffuse this niche.

Language: Английский

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Combining Genetic Gain and Diversity in Plant Breeding: Heritability of Root Selection in Wheat Populations

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(22), P. 12778 - 12778

Published: Nov. 18, 2021

To increase the resilience of agroecological farming systems against weeds, pests, and pathogens, evolutionary breeding diversified crop populations is highly promising. A fundamental challenge in population to combine effective selection progress while maintaining intraspecific diversity. hydroponic system was tested for its suitability non-destructively select root traits on a level order achieve genetic gain maintain Forty wheat progenies were selected long seminal length (SRL) 40 short SRL from composite cross grown system. Wheat multiplied, subset evaluated again Preliminary tests soil competition experiments with model weed performed. The led an by 1.6 cm (11.6%) single generation. Heritability 0.59. Selecting had no effect. preliminary soil-based test confirmed increased shoot but not SRL. point slightly improved competitive response effect mustard. These results indicate heritable level, combining

Language: Английский

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Systematic mapping study of literature in organic food value chain (1990–2021)

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 5, 2023

Purpose The aim of the study is to systematically map articles published in area organic food value chain. Many have been various domains chain, but no significant has found related systematic mapping literature. Design/methodology/approach This relies on secondary data. Articles from Scopus and Google Scholar databases between January 1, 1990, July 10, 2021, considered. On basis inclusion criteria, 56 analysed this study. Findings describes geographical coverage, methodologies used, sector/industry-specific context scope for future research. Five clusters were identified through co-occurrence analysis: (1) “organic agriculture sustainable chain” (2) farming chain,” (3) chain development,” (4) environmental impact” (5) profitability. Research limitations/implications considers only with some specific keywords industry. Future studies are encouraged by considering a wide range larger data set. Originality/value To best author's knowledge, first literature

Language: Английский

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Three decades of organic wheat improvement: Assessing the impact and returns on investment

Q Open, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract A changing regulatory environment and growing awareness are driving the need for crop improvement in organic agriculture. Contrary to conventional breeding, evidence on economic effects of research development breeding is lacking. This study assesses adoption, impact, rates return research. The surplus method used quantify impact Wiwa winter wheat variety. standard model enhanced by considering benefits improvements nutrient processing quality as well resilience gains. Results show substantial returns 18.6 per cent period from 1988 2019. reduced downside risk cultivar a key distinguishing factor analysis aims at providing farmers with resilient cultivars. Further investment appears promising element strategy sustainable food systems.

Language: Английский

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Know to preserve: Can the taste of native fruits change perceptions in favor of environmental conservation?

Trees Forests and People, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10, P. 100337 - 100337

Published: Oct. 7, 2022

Language: Английский

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The Effects of Interventions Targeting Increased Organic Seed Use—The Cases of Perennial Ryegrass in England and Durum Wheat in Italy

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(23), P. 13326 - 13326

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

To meet policy goals targeting increasing the share of organic agriculture, an seed needs to be provided. Currently, this is far from being case. This study investigates two cases important crop country combinations in namely perennial ryegrass South-West England and durum wheat Italy. A novel multi-agent value chain approach was developed assess public private-sector interventions aiming at use. Phasing out derogations for non-organic comes with 2–7% gross margin losses farm level. Seed producers breeders profit by 9–24%. Mitigating measures can subsidies 28 €/ha or price premiums 12 €/ton gate wheat, case Italy, 13 70 lamb meat, England. Further mitigating are promotion farm-saved investments breeding better nitrogen efficiency production.

Language: Английский

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