varieties; the right variety - location - grower concept
Local Bertus Buizer & Kitty de Jager
Workshop at BioVak 2012

Breeding of crops, among other things led to increased production, more uniformity, mechanisation and “global” varieties with outstanding performance. At the same time we face a loss of biodiversity, increased pressure on the environment and higher levels of pests and diseases in our crops.

This leads to great opportunities for breeders to breed “local” next to their “global” varieties. Varieties developed for one specific region. These will be better adapted to local conditions (soil, climate, etc.), better to grow in balance with their environment and cause thereby less polluting. A “local” variety, produced in her own region by organic growers, gives the region its own face. A “local” variety is also attractive to local consumers and strengthens the connections within the region.

From concept to reality
The development of “local” varieties raises some important questions:

• How do we fill in this beautiful picture and make it reality?
• How can this be achieved efficiently and with limited resources?
• How can we combine organic farming experience, new breeding techniques and knowledge, genetic resources and consumer's wishes?
• How can a grower determine which variety suits best in his situation?
• How can a breeder obtain data about his varieties under many varying conditions in different areas?

About all this, Kitty de Jager and Bertus Buizer would like to exchange ideas with you! First this can be done by completing a survey, which is especially made for this. The survey is available at www.organicseeds.nl/talen/en/survey.html where it can be filled in online and sent to us. This can be done in 10 minutes of your time. You can also participate by e-mail. Then download the form from www.organicseeds.nl/talen/en/survey.html or send a request to info@organicseeds.nl.
The results of this survey will be anonymous.

Secondly, you can give your opinion during a workshop, in which also the results of the survey will be presented anonymously. This workshop will be given the next BioVak on the 18th and 19th of January 2012 in the IJsselhallen at Zwolle in the framework of the Breeding Square Organicseeds.nl.

The time schedule of the workshops is:
Wednesday 18th January 2012:                                
15.30 hours - 16.00 hours Dutch                              
16.15 hours - 16.45 hours English                            

Thursday 19th January 2012:
19.00 hours - 19.30 hours Dutch
19.45 hours - 20.15 hours English

Your input and discussion points are important to us! We make it a new concept and then we would like to know which of you will join our first (pilot) project!

Thanks for your input!
Kind regards,
Bertus Buizer and Kitty de Jager