Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
Stakeholders are working on plans for a revised Organic Seed Availability Database.
"We are working to develop a database where seed producers and growers will be able to determine what organic varieties of seed are available," said Lisa Nichols, ASTA director of international programs. The database is a joint project between many stakeholders in the organic industry. ASTA, the Organic Seed Alliance and the Organic Trade Association, with input from the Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) and the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), have been meeting monthly since March of 2011 to develop a proposal. AOSCA has strong qualifications to maintain a national organic database with offices in each state. They have nearly 100 years of experience in the seed industry, and currently monitor other databases as well. "A database is only as good as its support, and ASTA and the other partners are putting their sponsorship behind developing the AOSCA database," Nichols said. Elements of the new database include easy searching functions for seed by seed type and other important factors such as classification, organic certification and region of adaptation. In addition, the proposal included the organization of four advisory groups made up of experts in field crop database, vegetable database, education/promotion, and a funding model.
"We are hoping this database will be a one stop shop resource for the industry to see what is available to them. We think it will help better define the market for buyers," Nichols stated. Revenue to cover costs will be generated by user fees from buyers, sellers and certifiers. The database is expected to serve as a tool for all types of users. Buyers will benefit from contracting with growers and specifying the type of seed they want. Sellers will be able to have their own catalogs within the database. Certifiers will have motivation by regulators, but the database will help increase effectiveness and efficiency in the grower inspection process. "The database will support future development of the organic seed industry, and the organic industry as a whole," Nichols said.
Source: American Seed Trade Association newsletter
Source: SeedQuest - Central information website for the global seed industry
"We are working to develop a database where seed producers and growers will be able to determine what organic varieties of seed are available," said Lisa Nichols, ASTA director of international programs. The database is a joint project between many stakeholders in the organic industry. ASTA, the Organic Seed Alliance and the Organic Trade Association, with input from the Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) and the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), have been meeting monthly since March of 2011 to develop a proposal. AOSCA has strong qualifications to maintain a national organic database with offices in each state. They have nearly 100 years of experience in the seed industry, and currently monitor other databases as well. "A database is only as good as its support, and ASTA and the other partners are putting their sponsorship behind developing the AOSCA database," Nichols said. Elements of the new database include easy searching functions for seed by seed type and other important factors such as classification, organic certification and region of adaptation. In addition, the proposal included the organization of four advisory groups made up of experts in field crop database, vegetable database, education/promotion, and a funding model.
"We are hoping this database will be a one stop shop resource for the industry to see what is available to them. We think it will help better define the market for buyers," Nichols stated. Revenue to cover costs will be generated by user fees from buyers, sellers and certifiers. The database is expected to serve as a tool for all types of users. Buyers will benefit from contracting with growers and specifying the type of seed they want. Sellers will be able to have their own catalogs within the database. Certifiers will have motivation by regulators, but the database will help increase effectiveness and efficiency in the grower inspection process. "The database will support future development of the organic seed industry, and the organic industry as a whole," Nichols said.
Source: American Seed Trade Association newsletter
Source: SeedQuest - Central information website for the global seed industry