The french shallot seeds production
Prosemail
PROSEMAIL is a non-profit association bringing together French producers of certified garlic and shallot plants. Created in the 70s, the mission of PROSEMAIL consists in coordinating the production of certified garlic plants, and organizing work in cooperation with the INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research), in charge of breeding new virus-free varieties.
In1980, the objectives of the association were reoriented and focused on two different strategies:
A technical strategy
The association helps the INRA and member breeding companies test new varieties, improve technologies for the production of garlic and shallot plants, study new viruses, etc… with the aim of improving production and developing higher quality plants.
A marketing strategy
The association is in charge of promoting and marketing garlic and shallot varieties created by the INRA and member breeding companies to farmers and amateur gardeners.
This marketing strategy involves:
- trial plots used to compare certified and non-certified plants;
- sending out samples, mainly to presidents of associations dealing with allotment gardens and horticultural journalists;
- publishing technical brochures and leaflets for farmers and garden supply stores;
- press releases;
- videos, CD-ROMs, promotional posters, etc…
Over the years this marketing strategy has boosted the sales of certified plants, up from 6,000 quintals in 1980 to over 33,500 quintals in 2006 for garlic, and up from 260 quintals in 1980 to over 22,500 quintals in 2006 for shallot.
These different actions are funded by members who pay a contribution to PROSEMAIL, the global sum of which is managed by the GNIS (French Association for Seeds and Seedlings), and is mainly invested in marketing. The president of the association is Mr Reboul and the vice-Presidents are Mr Faggion (garlic production) and Mr Gautier (shallot production).
French garlic and shallot production is doing very well. Garlic breeders were the first to introduce virus-free regenerated varieties, using meristem culture. The Official French Catalogue currently features 36 garlic varieties and 14 shallot varieties.
France is the only country which has implemented Official Certification for garlic and shallot plants. This approach (new virus-free varieties and top quality certified plants) has increased crop yield in a spectacular way.
The PROSEMAIL Office
The table below lists the name, function and address of the members of the PROSEMAIL team:
| PRESIDENT | |
| REBOUL Raphaël | Phone : 04 75 62 71 57 |
| Les Grands Prés 26400 GRANE | Fax : 04 75 62 70 30 |
| Cell-phone : 06 08 69 14 33 | |
| Vice-president for garlic | |
| FAGGION Bruno | Phone : 05 61 85 70 18 |
| Saint Martin 31480 CAUBIAC | Fax : 05 61 85 20 23 |
| Personal phone : 05 61 85 71 77 | |
| Vice-president for shallot | |
| GAUTIER Bruno | Phone : 02 41 57 03 49 |
| Le Rateau 49250 ST MATHURIN | Fax : 02 41 57 36 55 |
| Cell-phone : 06 20 45 17 64 | |
| Treasurer | |
| GARDES Jean Pierre | Phone : 05 63 70 81 81 |
| ALINEA SCA | Fax : 05 63 70 81 89 |
| Route de Castres 81440 LAUTREC | |
| Secretary | |
| MOMBLED Pascal | Phone : 04 75 91 80 80 |
| TOP SEMENCE Puygiron 26160 LA BATIE ROLLAND | Fax : 04 75 53 83 52 |
| Member | |
| VIDAL Jean Pierre | Phone : 04 73 69 56 69 |
| Ceyssat 63800 ST GEORGES S/ ALLIER | |
| Member | |
| DUFOSSE Denis | Tél. : 03 21 65 40 16 |
| 459, rue des Cauderons 62400 LOCON | Cell-phone : 06 80 13 96 17 |
Association des producteurs de plants certifiés d’ail et d’échalote
22 avenue des Frères Lumière 69008 LYON
Tél : 04.72.78.51.10 - Fax : 04.78.01.75.65