[Learning Path #3] Getting to know and tracking Organic heterogenous material

Organic heterogeneous material (OHM) is a new legal category created in the framework of the organic regulation of the EU (EU 2018/848) to enable the marketing of seed of heterogeneous populations. Heterogeneous crops in general, and OHM in particular, has several advantages for organic cropping systems, as compared to homogeneous varieties. It requires some specific considerations in seed propagation. From an administrative perspective, putting OHM seed on the market follows a specific notification procedure and requires tracking seed lots. This training course gives insights into OHM, its advantages and seed propagation, as well as a practical introduction to OHMTrack, a digital tool for notifying and tracking OHM. 

Another training module offered by the Liveseeding project deals in more detail with the notification of OHM, it is available here… 

• Organic plant breeders or plant breeders with an interest in organic breeding, willing to get acquainted with the topic of OHM
• Seed companies propagating and marketing OHM
• Organic plant breeders or staff of national authorities managing OHM who need to be trained to use the OHMTrack tool.

This course consists solely of e-learning modules. It will therefore not enable you to become proficient in the subject on its own. 

However, it can serve as a reference for making decisions on your work with OHM and can be consulted and reviewed as necessary to plan and evaluate your activities. It can be supplemented by reading additional resources (see the resources page for further information), by talking to experts (e.g. practitioners around you with a lot of experience, consultants, researchers…) or by participating in projects (see list of projects). 

The modules must be taken in the order in which they are presented below. 

Each module consists of at least one video, a self-assessment questionnaire (the trainer has included comments that appear depending on your answers, allowing you to continue learning), and additional resources for further study. Some also include more practical exercices. 

• Start with module 16, which gives a general introduction to OHM, its advantages for organic farming, specifications for seed propagation and notification and tracking requirements.
• Then, continue with module 17. It first presents the digital tool and its objectives in OHM notification and tracking, as well as interoperability. It also contains a practical tutorial to log-in and use the tool, which will be particularly useful for breeders, seed companies or national authorities who are starting to use this tool.