In the organic sector, terms like autonomy, resilience, and local adaptation are increasingly central. Yet, when we look at the foundation of every supply chain — seeds — we often face a reality that is still poorly suited to organic farming. Most seeds currently available on the market are bred for conventional agriculture, designed to perform with external inputs like pesticides and fertilizers. The risk is farming “organically” with tools that don’t align with organic principles. Biobreeding offers a concrete and systemic solution to this contradiction.
What is Biobreeding, really?
Biobreeding is a form of non-invasive genetic improvement based on natural cross-breeding between varieties of the same species. These crossings are carried out in the field and under organic conditions. There is no lab manipulation, no direct intervention on DNA — only observation, selection, and adaptation, conducted jointly by farmers and researchers.
It’s a method that bridges traditional agricultural knowledge with scientific expertise, through participatory variety selection processes. The goal is clear: to obtain resilient seeds, adapted to local conditions and truly fit for organic farming.
A pressing matter: the regulatory context
Organic operators must already look ahead: starting from January 1st, 2037, the full enforcement of EU Regulation 2018/848 will ban the use of conventional seeds, even if untreated. The current derogation system, which has allowed some flexibility, will no longer apply. From that point on, only organic seed material will be permitted.
This raises a critical question: does the sector have enough suitable and available organic seed to face this transition? In many cases, the answer is no — and that’s why tools like Biobreeding are becoming essential.
Biobreeding ≠ GMO ≠ NGT
It is crucial to clarify what Biobreeding is not: it is neither GMO nor NGT (New Genomic Techniques). While NGTs — such as CRISPR — directly modify the genome by rewriting DNA sequences, Biobreeding relies exclusively on natural crossing and respects the plant’s reproductive cycle.
It is a “classical” form of genetic improvement, but modernized, structured, and aligned with the principles of organic agriculture. In this sense, it’s not just a technical approach — it’s also a political and cultural choice.
Challenges and opportunities
Of course, there are challenges. Participatory breeding requires time, investment, and local testing networks. Moreover, many varieties developed through Biobreeding do not meet formal registration standards, which are designed for standardized agriculture. Without regulatory adjustments, they risk being excluded from the market.
Yet, these seeds have great value: they are not patentable, they are more stable under organic conditions, and they are tailored to specific soil and climate contexts. They offer a concrete way out of dependency on external inputs and a pathway toward genetic autonomy for organic farms.
Biobreeding is not a cure-all, but it is a viable path. It builds on observation, diversity, and collaboration across the supply chain. In a regulatory landscape undergoing rapid change — and with climate pressure on traditional farming models — Biobreeding is a strategic tool to strengthen both the coherence and technical soundness of organic agriculture. It’s not about going back to the past, but about giving continuity — in a scientific and shared way — to a knowledge that comes from the land.
The Editorial Team
