Agrobiodiversity, title

Transcription

1 Agrobiodiversity, title Walter de Boef, Marja Thijssen and Bhuwon Sthapit Integrated and participatory approaches in Agrobiodiversity Management Wageningen, 14 April 2010 Outline Redefining agrobiodiversity Conservation strategies Analysis of actions contributing to in situ conservation Community biodiversity management as methodology Practices contributing to community biodiversity management (CBM) Relation between CBM, in situ conservation and empowerment 1

2 Biodiversity Definition of biodiversity: Oxford 1968: variation of life form Convention Biological Diversity: Variability of living organisms from all sources,.., and the ecological complexes of which they are part; including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems Agrobiodiversity Agricultural biodiversity includes all components of biological diversity of relevance to food and agriculture, and all components of biological diversity that constitute the agro-ecosystem: the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure and processes. Meeting Convention Biological Diversity, Nairobi

3 Agrobiodiversity Three biological levels: Systems diversity Species diversity Genetic diversity Human level: Cultural diversity and knowledge Agrobiodiversity Popular definitions Plants, animals,.. Seeds, varieties, forest, animals Yesterday, today and tomorrow People, planet and life Food, health, housing, clothing,... Life = planet+water+air+sun+people 3

4 Agrobiodiversity The different elements of agricultural biodiversity: Landscapes, agro-ecosystems Crops, varieties, animal breeds Pathogens (fungi, bacteria) and insects Pollinators and insect eating birds Habitats of the birds Predators; predators of predators and their habitats. Agrobiodiversity The dynamism of agrobiodiversity, a constantly changing patchwork of relations between people, plants, animals, other organisms and the environment, always coping with new problems, always finding new ways Adapted from Brookfield,

5 Agrobiodiversity Agrobiodiversity is distinguished from natural biodiversity by the use to humankind Role of humans in creation and maintenance of agrobiodiversity is critical Human and natural elements in creation and maintenance cannot be separated Agrobiodiversity To conserve biodiversity we do not need to use it! If we do not use agrobiodiversity we will lose it! 5

6 Farmers and agrobiodiversity Innovators and curators Examples Brazil Nepal India At home... Emilio in Anchieta (Brazil) 6

7 Surya and Sarwoti in Begnas (Nepal)?? in Orissa (India) 7

8 Buzz 1: farmer innovator and curators Work in pairs Each person identifies a farmer innovator-curator? Compare them? What is his/her strengths? What is his/her weaknesses? What is your relation with this farmer? Keep notes in your notebook We share some experiences in plenary Conservation strategies International references: Convention on biological diversity (CBD) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT) Ex situ conservation In situ conservation 8

9 Ex situ conservation Ex situ conservation means the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitat Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 Ex situ conservation Conservation outside the natural habitat Genebanks (seedbanks, in vitro and field genebanks) Store samples of seeds under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity for long and medium term storage Materials are collected through expeditions Material is well documented Goal is to conserve PGR for future generations Practical purpose of conservation strategy is to make genetic resources (germplasm and information) available for use (research and breeding) 9

10 In situ conservation In situ conservation means the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated and cultivated species in surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 In situ conservation with plant genetic resources Conservation within natural habitat Or the maintenance of entire ecosystems, which may be for the sake of the conservation of some species or genetic diversity For PGR applied for the conservation of semi-wild and wild relatives of crop species in their original habitats Forests, rangelands and other human managed ecosystems Conservation in situ is the result of use Wild buckwheat in China 10

11 Key questions defining what is in situ conservation? What would be the strategy to conserve agrobiodiversity in situ (on-farm)? If agrobiodiversity is the relation between people, plants, animals, other organisms and the environment, how can you conserve relations, and especially the dynamism of agrobiodiversity? Key questions defining what is in situ conservation? Can conservation in situ (on-farm) as a conservation strategy been considered a contradiction in terminus? How can conservation in situ (on-farm) be realized? What is our function as professionals (in genetic resources programmes) to realize in situ conservation (on-farm)? 11

12 Examples of actions supporting in situ conservation Turkey Wild wheat reserves Ethiopia Conservation of forest coffee India Community gene, seed and grain banks Bolivia Cleaning of potato varieties Brazil (Re-)introduction of local maize varieties Brazil Valorisation of local maize varieties Example Turkey Turkey: gene management zones or genetic reserves with wild wheat species Evolution through human use Controlled management Ertug and Tan

13 Example Ethiopia National coffee conservation programme to conserve semi-wild species in semimanaged forests Example India Community gene, seed, grain banks MS Swaminathan Research Foundation 13

14 Example Bolivia National programme of Bolivia on cleaning of traditional potato varieties Sanches & Pompeyo, 2000; Jarte et al, 2000 Brazil/Kraho-Xingu: (re-)introduction 1970s collection of traditional varieties 1980s/1990s, tribes loose varieties (genetic erosion) Kraho request access to CENARGEN genebank, Brasília Material identified of Xavantes Access granted by leader (Re-)introduction Awareness raising Strengthen culture of diversity 14

15 Brazil/Santa Catarina: (re-) valorisation of local maize Farmer association Collection of creole varieties Farmer curators National fair Seed production Participatory plant breeding Value addition Agrobiodiversity and actions The dynamism of agrobiodiversity, a constantly changing patchwork of relations between people, plants, animals, other organisms and the environment, always coping with new problems, always finding new ways Analysis of actions of professionals and institutions in relation to: roles dynamics 15

16 Analysis of actions (1) Examples Turkey Ethiopia India Bolivia Brazil-Kraho Brazil-SC Wheat Coffee Cereals Potato Maize Maize Action What? Farmer - community Roles Professional - organization Analysis of actions (2) Examples Turkey Ethiopia India Bolivia Brazil-Kraho Brazil-SC Wheat Coffee Cereals Potato Maize Maize Genetics, ecology Effect of action on dynamics Socioeconomic Culturalspiritual 16

17 Realization of in situ conservation Link in situ conservation with the dynamism at community level Assumptions: In situ conservation can be realized by empowering rural communities in the management of biodiversity Strengthening community management of biodiversity is a way for professionals to contribute to the realization of in situ conservation The methodology for community biodiversity management comprises of a set of practices aiming at strengthening the capacities of communities and empowering them in biodiversity management Some preliminary answers to questions In situ conservation may be implemented through the methodology referred to as community biodiversity management Basically what professionals do is through this methodology strengthen the process of communities in managing their biodiversity Some examples from Nepal, Brazil and other parts of the world 17

18 Nepal: Rural diversity drama and rural poetry journey Globe: diversity fairs 18

19 Intermezzo: Four-cell analysis Insight into the extent and distribution of local crop diversity To identify common, unique and rare crop varieties To document the reasons why crops/varieties are in a dynamic state in the community To identify the levels of intervention needed for the conservation of crops and varieties in a given community Large area; Many HHs Small area; Many HHs Large area; Few HHs Small area; Few HHs Four cell analysis: What actions? CMB Germplasm enhancement PPB Value addition Market links Recognition Awareness Large area; Many HHs Small area; Many HHs Large area; Few HHs Small area; Few HHs Ex situ conservation Community seed banks Diversity blocks 19

20 Diversity blocks Non-replicated blocks under farmer s management Characterization and evaluation of farmer s varieties and preferred characters Assessment of consistency of farmer s descriptor in naming and describing farmer-named varieties Selection of varieties for Participatory Crop Improvement Seed multiplication for diversity kits Community sensitization Diversity kits A set of small quantity of seeds for informal research and development encourage farmers to search, select and maintain preferred local genetic resources deployment diversity for managing pests and diseases stresses strengthening seed networks for improved gene flow enhance farmer participation 20

21 Diversity kits Sponge gourds in Nepal: from rare to common through the use of diversity kits 1998: 1 HH diversity fair 2000: 1 diversity block 2002: 498 HH in home gardens 2003: 677 HH in home gardens Brazil Diversity kits Guaraciaba 15 communities > 700 households Seeds of distinct varieties of maize, rice, beans, vegetables and fruits Community defines composition Community identifies sources Community identifies seed producers Food security and sovereignty associated to community biodiversity management Now: monitoring, other forest kits, other practices and municipalities 21

22 Nepal: Community Biodiversity Register A register (farmer information database) maintained by community based organizations for keeping inventory and monitoring local crop diversity for community benefits and needs Community Biodiversity Register Approach: Community controls information, materials and decision making process Decentralization of farmer information database at community level Strengthen local capacity for conservation and utilization decisions Local commitment and a sense of ownership Address the needs of rural livelihoods and income Code of conduct for access to and benefit sharing 22

23 Community biodiversity register: Transferring knowledge from old to young generation Asia: grassroots breeding of underutilized species 23

24 Nepal: Participatory plant breeding and value addition Caso de Jethobudha Steps for establishing CBM Establishing and promoting CBM to manage biodiversity by collective community action: 1. Enhancing community awareness 2. Understanding local biodiversity, social networks and institutions 3. Capacity building of community institutions 4. Setting up of institutional working modalities 5. Consolidating community roles in planning and implementation 6. Establishing a CBM Trust Fund 7. Community monitoring and evaluation 8. Social learning and scaling up for community collective action 24

25 Key questions on in situ conservation What would be the strategy to conserve agrobiodiversity in situ? If agrobiodiversity is the relation between people, plants, animals, other organisms and the environment, how can you conserve relations, and especially the dynamism of agrobiodiversity? Can conservation in situ of agrobiodiversity be considered a contradiction in terminus? How to realize? Questions and considerations (1) What is our position in conservation in situ Control => facilitation of processes? Who takes the decisions in situ? Empowerment of whom? Whose knowledge, capacities and social organization count for taking decisions on the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity? 25

26 Questions and considerations (2) In situ = community management? Conservation in situ => strengthen the dynamism? Combine development and conservation which are always perceived as contradictions Work on strategies ex situ and in situ as complementary strategies Finale: In situ conservation and empowerment What is the relation between community biodiversity management, in situ conservation and empowerment? 26

27 Finale: In situ conservation and empowerment In situ conservation CBM Empowerment Thank you! 27

28 Thank you! 28