SFF Project Final Report
| Website: | www.organicseed.co.nz |
| Updated: | 10 January 2007 |
OBJECTIVES:
6. What is the project going to do and how will it help to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity?
The project will develop a strategy from a national perspective to address this problem and the opportunities it presents. From research undertaken as outlined below and by liaising with the range of groups that have direct interests in this area and with the wider organics industry (allowing for the current development of an overall strategy for organics in NZ) a framework for action will be developed.
The project has been divided into four components. Each year the cycle of work will allow the results of each component to be linked together to provide an evolving framework for achieving the greatest benefit, most cost effectively with the funding that is available.
Part A. Research
The main focus for the project will be vegetable seed, but some consideration will be given to other crops that are important in an overall organic system; i.e. Green Manure Crops and Herbs & Flowers that are beneficial plants in an organic system. Cereals, grasses, oil & seed for eating (eg sunflower, pumpkin) crops will be considered in Part A. Research
This will be coordinated by the Project Manager, with each of the group members providing input from their respective areas of expertise. Specific expertise will be employed if needed to help solve particular problems as they arise. There will be liaison with seed companies and other relevant research groups in New Zealand and overseas that are willing to cooperate with the project. To date South Pacific Seeds, Midland Seeds & Yates Research have agreed to work with the project
1. Organic Seed Supply
An initial assessment will be made of the existing and potential supply of certified organic seed in NZ, with consideration of its quality and appropriateness in New Zealand conditions. The issue of MAF biosecurity regulations for imported seed will be considered in relation to Certified Organic standards. Crops for which organic seed in suitable cultivars is a major problem will be identified. The situation will be reviewed annually.
2. Organic Seed Production Issues:
a. The project will identify which crops/cultivars need to be focused on for production in NZ, with consideration of a range of issues, including: crops identified in 1.above, the needs of organic growers and the expected demand in NZ, economic viability of production in NZ, export potential. This will be reviewed annually.
b. An initial literature search for existing knowledge on organic seed production will be undertaken and its usefulness in a NZ context evaluated. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis
c A review will be completed to determine the availability of suitable cultivars for seed production that are suitable for organic production systems. This will give an indication which crops may be appropriate to begin breeding programs for.
Part B. Production Trials of Potential Seed Crops
The Project Manager will coordinate this, with direction being provided by Massey University in association with Bristol Plants & Seeds.
For the first year small trials will be undertaken based on the main families of plants that comprise most vegetable crops; i.e. Amaryllidaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Cucurbitacae, Gramineae, Leguminosa, Solanaceae, Umbelliferae. As species within each family usually have similar characteristics with regard to seed production, it will be possible by taking one or two species from each family, to address the issues likely to be faced within the wider range of species within each family. The species will also be chosen with consideration for the range of crops identified as the most important from the research of Part A.
Trials will be undertaken at four sites, in different regions of the country, to allow for the different climatic needs of the various crops and the different areas of expertise that each situation offers. The sites are;
Homestead Gardens, Coromandel
Lawson Organic Farms, Hawkes Bay
David Aislbie’s Farm & Bristol Plants & Seed’s facilities, including isolation/glasshouses, Wanganui
BHU, Lincoln University, Canterbury
Appropriate methodologies will be developed to address the problems that are identified in using an organic approach to seed production. This will include seed health & certification, plant nutrition for seed production, pest & disease issues, weed issues, appropriate technologies and economical scales of production & processing.
After the harvesting and processing issues are addressed the seed will be tested for its quality through a range of tests by the Centre for Plant Reproduction and Seed Technology at Massey University, as prescribed by the International Seed Testing Association.
At the end of the first year it is expected it will be possible to identify which seed crops are potentially straightforward under an organic production system and those that have problems. For the second and third years research will be continued to solve the problems identified in the first year. Crops will also be identified that require larger trials to be able to address issues that will arise in larger scale commercial production situations.
Part C. Grow Out Trials
A limited number of “grow out” trials of available organic seed and seed produced in the production trials will be undertaken at 3 of the sites; i.e. BHU (for South Island), Lawson Organic Farms (for lower North Island) & Homestead Gardens (for the Upper North Island). Comparative assessments will be made of the cultivars in relation to their effectiveness in organic production systems, yields, disease resistance, nutritional value, etc.
Part D. Development of a breeding program of cultivars suitable for organic seed production in NZ.
Based on the results of Parts A, B & C crops for which a breeding program would be appropriate will be identified. The framework for a long term breeding program will then be developed. The initial steps in such a program would then be incorporated into the work of Part B.
- Sharing outputs:
1. Dissemination of the results of Part A.1 Research and Part C Grow Out Trials.
The results of this work will be of interest and benefit to all growers of the crops included in this project. A yearly report on the “availability of organic seed” will be produced and made available through the certification bodies - Bio Gro, Certnz & the Small Scale Producers Organic Program to their members. Regional organic groups will also receive copies of the report to make available to their members. The Soil & Health Association through its magazine Organic NZ will be able to make the information available to a wider audience.
2. Dissemination of the results of Part A. 2 Research and Part B. Production Trials.
The results of this work will be made available to those interested in organic seed production through:
- the “Seed Production Research Report” produced at the end of each trial year, to be made available through the systems as outline in 1. above.
- seminars and field days to be held. As it will be 2 years before there are any significant results from this project it is intended to hold seminars at the BHU, Lincoln University and Massey University at the end of the second and third years. In addition, field days will be held at the various trial sites in the third year. Interested individuals and companies will be reached through the certification bodies - Bio Gro, Certnz & Small Scale Producers Organic Program as well as through The Soil & Health Association Organic NZ magazine, regional organic groups and relationships developed with commercial seed companies.
A website will be developed for this project and will be linked to websites of relevant groups.
It is intended that the project be a catalyst for the development of the organic seed industry in NZ; encouraging growers and companies to become involved as the problems are solved and the opportunities are realised. It is expected that the relationships developed with commercial seed companies and growers from the research and trials will help provide a foundation for the expansion of the commercial production of organic seed to help meet the needs of NZ growers and supply the potential export markets.
APPROACH:
As the problems and opportunities of organic seed involved in this project exhibited multiple complexities, the overall approach was to work with a whole systems model. This approach, as well as providing coherence to the project, is the standard methodology used when working with organic systems, as outlined by the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR).
Within this model the project utilised a wide variety of techniques to address the various components of the project. This included:
1. Researching existing information on organic seed production available internationally and then undertaking a comprehensive trailing programme. This allowed for the gathering of a robust set of results directly applicable to New Zealand conditions.
2. The project looked at technical production issues, as well as financial and economic issues around organic seed production, considering both an international and a local perspective. Although desk research was undertaken in all these areas, the main and most beneficial approach was through discussion with knowledgeable individuals.
3. For the issue of organic plant breeding the project took the approach of having dialogue with those individuals willing to share their knowledge. This was the main source of information as what is publicly available is limited due to the highly commercial & secretive nature of modern plant breeding. As well research was undertaken into the historical development of plant breeding in NZ, its current status and any potential for moving forward from an organic perspective in the future. The financial and economic aspects were also reviewed.
4. The methods used for the practical trials involved a farmer participatory approach, working directly on three farm sites (including 2 small scale operations and one large scale) and in a glasshouse. There were also trials conducted at the BHU, Lincoln University and at the research station at Massey University, Palmerston North, utilising a rigorous scientific trailing approach. This allowed for a comparison of the effectiveness of trials done in each of the different dynamics.
5. To address issues of demand for organic seed required a thorough analysis of market demand for organic vegetables, which would, in turn, determine demand for organic seed. As well the effect of regulatory systems relating to certification had to be monitored and evaluated through the project’s 3 year term as to their impact. A thorough analysis of the world seed industry and the ramifications for New Zealand and the organic seed industry was also undertaken.
6. The approach finally decided upon through which to gather and disseminate information from the project involved 2 main components.
A. An intensive dialogue with organic vegetable & seed growers. A survey was undertaken, utilizing interviews, either in person or over the phone. This resulted in an 75% response rate from growers, giving a very clear picture of the current state of the industry. To complete the project a series of seminars were held throughout the country in regions with the highest concentrations of growers. (ie. Oamaru, Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Pukekohe, Kerikeri.) This saw 40% of all growers attend. This process allowed for an active and thorough exchange of information with regard to seed production, plant breeding & the overall status of the organic vegetable & seed industry in NZ, with growers contributing their perspectives and the project sharing what it had learnt.
B. Development of a website.
7. All of the above activities were steps in the approach taken to achieve the completion of a Strategy for Organic Seed Production and Plant Breeding in New Zealand.
OUTCOMES:
1) International Organic Seed Research Initiatives, their Findings and Collaborations Developed with OSNZ
From an initial search on CAB, only thirty-six papers published on organic seed issues were found. Most were of a highly technical and generally obscure nature; therefore they had little relevance to practical seed growing dynamics. This and other searches confirmed for the project at the outset that there was little information available on organic seed production from within university and other academic environments internationally.
At the first international organic seed conference, held in Rome in July 2004, a series of papers were presented by a wide range of people from around the world on their research efforts into organic seed production over the previous few years. All of these papers were unpublished at that time, so the conference produced a book of papers presented. From a review of this material it was clear that the OSNZ project had been following similar lines of research and were achieving comparable results and conclusions to others working in these areas. This confirmed that New Zealand was up to date and aligned with international trends.
From the Rome conference and searches of the internet various organic seed research initiatives were located in Australia, South Africa, USA, Israel, England, Germany, Holland and Italy. Where the project considered it useful to build relationships with these initiatives, initial contacts were made and they continue to be developed.
2) Clarification on the International Market & Regulatory Dynamics for Organic Seed.
The Rome Conference also provided a clear indication of the international dynamics surrounding organic seed issues, and the direction in which the various key players including IFOAM, European Union, large multinational seed corporations and small regional seed companies are moving internationally. Martin Kern, who attend the conference on behalf of OSNZ was able to give direct feedback and produced a report for OSNZ on these dynamics. It marked a shift in the position of the EU and IFOAM, with each softening on its determination to make the use of organic seed compulsory in organic vegetable production, due to the continuing shortage of available (i.e., suitable cultivars at reasonable prices) organic seed worldwide. Both organisations expressed the realisation that to force the issue of compulsory organic seed use could, in fact, limit potentials for biodiversity in vegetable and arable seed crops, which runs counter to a fundamental principle of organics. There remains, however, the intent of maintaining a steady progression toward the goal of requiring organic seed to be used in organic production, with each country in the EU determining on a crop-by-crop basis whether the available seed supply is adequate to make organic seed use compulsory. Although this has removed the intense pressure that had been in place previously New Zealand will still need to make its own progress on this issue, over the coming 6 to 10 years or it could at some stage find itself left behind and unable to meet international certification requirements.
3) Establishment and Ongoing Maintenance of a Database of Certified Organic Seed available in NZ
This database was established in the first year of the project and will continue to be maintained by OSNZ partners once SFF Funding has finished.
A summary follows on the current status of organic seed availability in NZ.
During the first two years of the project, a major restructuring of the domestic seed supply chain occurred, due to the sale of the Yates Seed Company, including its subsidiaries. The picture stabilised by 2005, with two small independent distribution companies, Asian Seeds & Kings Seeds, carrying limited ranges of certified organic seed in stock in New Zealand. A third company, South Pacific Seeds, offers a organic range from a European Seed Company on indent. (Please Note: Although SPS has been offered the opportunity to supply a list for inclusion in the database it has yet to take up the offer, despite repeated invitations to be included and their acceptance of the offer.) In addition, a new company formed called Premier Seeds, which took over distribution for the multinational seed company, Bejo Zaden and carries an extensive organic seed range. These seeds also are only available by indent, with a stated six week period from order to delivery. When the project put this system to the test, however, by ordering seeds for a trial in Autumn 2005, the seeds took nine weeks to arrive, by which point the planting window had passed, making it impossible to conduct the trial.
In conclusion, for some crops but not all, a small but adequate range of organic seed is available that meets the needs of the small growers. But for the large scale growers (producing 80% of the country’s organic vegetables) they still have very limited options at affordable prices. As the majority of multinational seed companies, who supply most of the NZ seed market, are not intending to offer organic ranges in the foreseeable future this limits potentials available to large growers..
There is no “quick fix” solution to this continuing shortage of supply of suitable quality cultivars, readily available, at affordable prices for organic vegetable production, but as outlined in the Strategy for Organic Seed Production, there are some long term solutions that may be developed.
4) Completion of 130 Seed Production Trials, over the 9 Vegetable Families.
(i.e. Amaryllidaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae,
Cucurbitacae, Gramineae, Leguminosa, Solanaceae, Umbelliferae.)
During the first two growing seasons, with a small number also conducted in the third year, 130 trials were completed over the 6 different project sites. The detailed data of these trials is held in a database that was developed specifically for the purpose.
The results were both quantitative and qualitative. Analysis of these trials led to a clear picture of which aspects of organic seed production are straight forward and which are more difficult, requiring further research.
It became clear that managing the issue of seed-borne disease is critical to producing quality organic seed. Therefore, a comprehensive database of seed-borne diseases on crop by crop basis has been developed.
The trial results were also critical in the development of 3 key outcomes of the project: i.e. The Seed Production Strategy, The Plant Breeding Strategy and The Series of basic production information sheets, on a crop by crop basis.
5) Survey of Organic Vegetable Growers and Organic Seed Growers
The project completed a survey of organic vege growers, which had a 75% response rate. To determine demand for organic seed, it was first necessary to determine demand for organic vegetables, as well as what is happening generally for organic growers. The survey also illuminated important issues for the vegetable sector overall, and ultimately the survey provided a catalyst for the organic vegetable sector to address some key issues itself. A key issue raised through the survey was the lack of a voice for vegetable growers leading, indirectly, to the establishment of an organic vegetable growers group, to give growers a voice nationally and within other structures. For the moment, the project website will also be hosting information for the organic vegetable growers group.
6) Seminars held throughout the country in August and September 2005
A series of seminars were held near the end of the Project in the following locations; (Oamaru (Otago), Christchurch (Canterbury) Havelock North (Hawkes Bay) Pukekohe (Waikato/Auckland region) Kerikeri (Northland). These were held in the regions where there are the largest concentrations of organic vegetable growers. This meant that 40% of all certified organic vegetable growers were able to attend the seminars.
The seminars went from 10am to 3pm with a lunch break. The first section was on outlining the OSNZ project and its key findings. This included a presentation of the Draft Strategies for Seed Production & Plant Breeding for consideration of those attending. All seminars supported the Strategies.
As this was a rare opportunity to reach so many growers, the final part of the seminar involved outlining some of the key results from the survey and the need identified for a cohesive national body to represent Organic Vegetable Growers. There was unanimous support for this and each group elected a representative to form a national executive to progress the establishment of a national organisation and further the interests of Organic Vegetable Growers.
7) The Organic Seed Production Strategy for New Zealand
Following in depth research and wide ranging discussion with relevant individuals, companies and other organisations, a strategy for organic seed production in NZ was developed. The Strategy, including its recommendations, provides a foundation for future work in this area.
8) The Organic Plant Breeding Strategy for New Zealand
Following in depth research and wide ranging discussion with relevant individuals, companies and other organisations, a strategy for organic plant breeding in NZ was developed. The Strategy, including its recommendations, provides a foundation for future work in this area.
9) Website www.organicseed.co.nz.
A comprehensive website for organic vegetable growers, seed producers and plant breeders with information relevant to all 3 groups has been established and will continue to be maintained by project members into the future. This website serves as a resource for growers, researchers, Govt. policy advisors and the general public.
All relevant information and Reports outlined in 1) to 8) above are available through the website.
10) Development of Skills amongst Project Participants and Future Developments
The above resource material provides a basic foundation for future developments, but of significantly greater value is the experience and knowledge gained by a range of individuals involved in the project and the substantial increase in their practical skills in the area of organic seed production. This has given some of the partners the confidence to develop commercial production, allowing for the higher level of risk associated with achieving a successful crop and meeting certified organic standards.
Based on the experience of the project, and discussions with successful seed growers, it is clear there will only ever be a relatively small percentage of growers who will be able to achieve substantial success as commercial organic seed growers.
Therefore an important part of the foundation for future work has been laid in identifying individuals with the aptitude and skills to carry this work forward. Also a “Personality Profile” has been developed for assessing people in the future as to their likely success as an organic seed producer.
From the partners involved in the project, two direct outcomes for commercial organic seed production have been developed. Given the combination of specific knowledge and confidence that has been be built through the experience of the project, Bristol Plants & Seeds has decided that where a commercial opportunity exists, it will expand its operations to produce certified organic seed, in addition to its conventional production. From the involvement of Koanga Institute and Homestead Gardens Trust in the project, there has been initiated the establishment of a new commercial seed company “Heritage Farms” that is currently producing certified organic seed for the home gardener and will be expanding its production to produce seed for the commercial organic vegetable grower.
11) Maintenance of Genetic Biodiversity in Our Vegetable Crops
This was a key issue that was raised through international dialogue (particularly the Rome Conference), and in New Zealand through the survey process and discussions with key organisations and individuals. For the many small groups who support the organic principle of biodiversity in food plants and have been maintaining a wide range of genetic material, the information gained through this project will be a valuable resource in contributing to their ongoing work. There is a clear gap in knowledge for these groups and the project has identified that this is an area that needs funding in the future if this biodiversity is to be maintained over the long term.
12) Value of Project as a Case Study of Whole Systems, Farmer Participatory Research
As outlined in the Approach Section of this report, this project worked with a model of research based on “Whole Systems and Farmer Participation” that has been developed and applied internationally but has had few opportunities to be explored in a New Zealand context. From both the successes and failures within this project there have been many lessons learnt and a body of knowledge has been built up by those involved in it. As the project included a wide variety of partners, from University to small and large growers, to Community Trusts, a diverse and informative picture has emerged with guidelines now being developed for how such an approach could work even more effectively in the future.
This is seen as a very strong outcome of the project and the key is now to develop a framework so as to take forward this knowledge and not have it “lost” because this 3 year (a relatively short term in whole systems modelling) project has been completed.
SUMMARY & CONCLUDING REMARKS
This project undertook to address a crucial area of concern for New Zealand’s organic vegetable growers of an adequate supply of certified organic seed. As the project discovered, there is no simple solution to the market related problems identified that are limiting this supply.
From the global perspective, the extreme dominance of 9 global seed companies controlling over 75% of the world’s vegetable seed market, offers limited opportunities as most of these companies have no interest in producing certified organic seed. Only one of them, Bejo, has made a serious investment in organic seed production and through Midland Seeds and Tim Chamberlain New Zealand has an active involvement in this enterprise. This contributes to the supply of a limited range of Bejo owned cultivars to the global market place, but does not significantly help New Zealand growers obtain certified organic seed.
The project did show that quality certified organic seed production was possible in NZ and particularly with protected/covered production facilities there were good opportunities. However the current demand from organic vegetable growers within New Zealand for cultivars not controlled by the global seed companies was so small as to make it marginal from a financial perspective for any seed company to undertake production.
The only way forward is to take a long term approach, creating new cultivars through plant breeding that offer “production performance” and “quality attributes” to a standard that will work for the widest range of organic vegetable growers. Only through innovation and by a range of “communities of interest” being prepared to work together will this be possible. This project has provided a starting point to such a process, but it remains to be seen how far the potentials this project has identified and begun to support can be developed in the future.
The lead partners in the project have decided to continue developing the work initiated by this project from their own resources, and they will be considering how to secure appropriate research funding in the future if needed.
To discuss some of the outcomes and issues raised in this report and how they may be developed in the future the OSNZ project manager would appreciate the opportunity to have a final meeting with our SFF project manager.
