The Liveseeding project is a European initiative aimed at enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems through the promotion of seed diversity and organic plant breeding. Here are some key aspects of the project:
Objectives:
- Promote Biodiversity : Increase the diversity of seeds used in agriculture to create more resilient and adaptable farming systems.
- Support Organic Farming : Develop and promote seed varieties that are well-suited for organic farming practices.
- Engage Stakeholders : Involve farmers, gardeners, breeders, and researchers in the process of seed selection and breeding.
- Facilitate Knowledge Sharing : Create platforms and networks for sharing information and best practices related to seed breeding and organic farming.
SeedLinked: Streamlining Organic Variety Trials in Europe
SeedLinked is a key component of the Liveseeding project, serving as an innovative digital platform that fosters collaboration and data sharing among gardeners, farmers, and seed breeders. SeedLinked is revolutionising seed selection for European farmers by providing a one-stop shop for collaborative variety trials. Launched across 16 countries with localized interfaces in 8 languages, the platform empowers farmers to make informed decisions. Farmers can now discover trials happening in their region, learn from fellow growers’ experiences, and leverage the newly launched pilot feature for recording crop yields. This data-driven approach is crucial for choosing the best seeds for their specific conditions.
Here’s how it fits into the Liveseeding initiative:
- Crowdsourcing Data : SeedLinked allows users to contribute data about their growing experiences with different seed varieties. This crowdsourced data helps build a comprehensive database on seed performance across various climates and soil types, which is crucial for the Liveseeding project’s goal of promoting diverse and resilient seed varieties.
- Community Engagement : The platform connects a community of growers and breeders who can share insights, feedback, and recommendations. This engagement is vital for the Liveseeding project’s objective to involve local communities in seed selection and breeding processes.
- Research and Development : By aggregating data from numerous users, SeedLinked provides valuable insights for researchers and breeders. This helps in identifying high-performing varieties and developing new ones, aligning with Liveseeding’s mission to enhance seed diversity and adaptability
- Promoting Biodiversity : SeedLinked supports the testing and promotion of a wide range of seed varieties, which is essential for Liveseeding’s aim to increase agricultural biodiversity and resilience to climate change.
SeedLinked is continually evolving, with planned enhancements like improved translations and bioregional support. This collaborative platform bridges the gap between farmers and researchers, speeding up the development of high-yielding organic varieties suited to Europe’s diverse climates and agricultural practices. The platform addresses potential challenges like technology mistrust and data ownership concerns through comprehensive user guides and strong data security measures. By embracing digital tools like SeedLinked, European agriculture can move towards a more sustainable and productive future.
