About us

A few international companies are controlling the global seed market. And they are controlling what's on our plate. Change is necessary.

Our goal: Creating a seed commons

A seed commons secures free access to seed which is the basis for diversity in plant breeding, crops and their varieties. We are committed to:

  • The adaptation of agriculture to climate change
  • The reduction of chemicals and genetic engineering in agriculture 
  • Food security and sovereignty for an expected number of 11 billion people

To achieve our goal, we protect seed as a commons. With OpenSourceSeeds we aim to create a non-proprietary commons based seed sector. We envision that this will become a second pillar of seed provision. OpenSourceSeeds was founded in 2017 by Agrecol Association.

Our mission: protecting seed as commons.

What we do

We protect seed as a common good 
  • Licensing and management of open-source varieties
  • Advice and support for plant breeders
  • Testing the effect and compatibility of the licence

Only a few international companies hold control over the global seed market. The trend towards seed monopolies threatens food security. With the open-source licence, we can legally protect seeds as common property and prevent the further privatisation of the basis of our lives.


    We promote independent plant breeding
    • Research on financing non-proprietary plant breeding
    • Marketing of free varieties
    • Pilot projects on financing non-proprietary plant breeding

    We need independent plant breeders to bring diversity to our fields. Unfortunately, there is no financing model for non-proprietary plant breeding. So far, there is little financial potential that can be exploited. We are helping independent breeders to bring new varieties to the market. In addition, we are investigating new ideas to build up a seed commons and are seeking new business and financing concepts for open-source seed.


    We team up for diversity
    • Participation in the Global Open-Source Seed Initiative (GOSSI) 
    • Public Relations and raising awareness
    • Advising various stakeholders and networking

    A commons needs a community. We work closely with companies and initiatives in the seed sector. Breeders, agronomists, lawyers and commons activists support us in the Strategy Group and the Supporters Circle. We are involved in coordination of the Global Open-Source Seed Initiative (GOSSI). We engage in public relations addressing producers, traders and consumers. We want to empower everyone to have a say and to put this topic on the political agenda.

    The team

    Johannes Kotschi
    Teamleader
    kotschi@opensourceseeds.org
    Iria Frommeyer
    Assistant team leader & PR
    iria@opensourceseeds.org
    Bella Aberle
    Public Relations
    Sophie Steigerwald
    Public Relations
    Lea Doobe
    Public Relations
    Adrien Labaeye
    Research & bread project
    adrien@opensourceseeds.org
    Lea Forster
    Direct marketing

    Support us

    Support us

    Contact

    OpenSourceSeeds - AGRECOL
    Johannes-Acker-Str. 6
    35041 Marburg
    info@opensourceseeds.org

    Italiano