Information on Organic Seed Developments

Organic Seeds

Historically organic growers worldwide were only requested to use organically created seed if such seed was available. Many organic seed options are unavailable even today. Few organic producers set aside facilities to develop organic seeds, and organic regulatory institutions require organic seed use only if enough organic seeds exist to meet the demand of organic growers, according to the 2003 study in Resources.

Many proponents of organic growing want to choose seed from whichever distributor they like; unfortunately, many privatized seed producers are unwilling or unable to produce more costly organic seeds to meet the demands of organic growers, according to Katherine Adam, an agriculture specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology; however, many growers are now USDA trained in "participatory breeding for organics, to increase the availability of organic seed," adds Adam. The argument stems from whether organic seed use should be mandated for organic growers.

Those in favor of using only organic seed to produce organic vegetation believe an organic seed regulation is the only way to ensure a plant is fully organic. These proponents believe a government mandate for organic seed usage in organic farming will ensure fully organic products delivered to consumers, according to Adam.

Those opposed to organic seed requirements cite increased seed cost, limited availability and additional burdens on seed developers, reports Adam. Many small farmers are concerned that major corporations will further privatize farming and copyright certain organic seeds, as they have with bio-engineered seeds, and thus drive the cost of organic farming up while monopolizing organic seeds available on the market.

This debate raises one important concern: whether plants that were raised on farms following strict organic regulations are organic because of the environment in which they are raised, or if organic seeds are the only way to start an organic plant. This argument has yet to find resolution, but it has led to most organic growers worldwide agreeing that only naturally occurring seeds free of genetic engineering should bear the organic label.