Improving Organic Grain Seed Availability in Hesse

This project enhanced the availability and quality of organic grain seed from organically bred varieties in Hesse, addressing challenges in multi-year seed multiplication under certified organic conditions. It tackled weed, disease, and pest pressure, high financial risks, and low economic returns. Led by Andrea Galleh and Dr. Carl Vollendiefer at Dottenfelder Bio-Saettgut GmbH, the multi-stakeholder group included breeders, seed producers, farmers, advisors, researchers, and processors. Running from January 2019 to September 2023 with €318,868.10 funding, the project developed and implemented measures across pre-basic, basic, and certified (C) seed stages, restructured seed multiplication systems, and documented field-tested outcomes.