Conservation and use of genetic resources of underutilized crops in the Americas - A continental analysis

Latin America is home to dramatically diverse agroecological regions which harbor a high concentration of underutilized plant species, whose genetic resources hold the potential to address challenges such as sustainable agricultural development, food security and sovereignty, and climate change. This paper examines the status of an expert-informed list of underutilized crops in Latin America and analyses how the most common features of underuse apply to these. The analysis pays special attention to if and how existing international policy and legal frameworks on biodiversity and plant genetic resources effectively support or not the conservation and sustainable use of underutilized crops. Results show that not all minor crops are affected by the same degree of neglect, and that the aspects under which any crop is underutilized vary greatly, calling for specific analyses and interventions. We also show that current international policy and legal instruments have so far provided limited stimulus and funding for the conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of these crops. Finally, the paper proposes an analytical framework for identifying and evaluating a crop’s underutilization, in order to define the most appropriate type and levels of intervention (international, national, local) for improving its statu

L’importance des échanges internationaux des ressources phytogénétiques pour l’amélioration des cultures au Burkina Faso

L'interdépendance des pays sur les ressources génétiques des cultures et fourrages dont ils ont bessoin pour leur sécurité alimentaire est une des raisons de la mise en place du Traité International sur les Ressources Phytogénétiques pour l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture et de son système multilatéral d'accès et de partage des avantages. Une connaissance plus profonde de la façon dont les pays ont bénéficié de l'échange de matériel génétique dans le passé et continueront à bénéficier à l'avenir est nécessaire pour faire avancer la mise en oeuvre du Système multilatéral et la création d'une réserve mondiale des ressources phytogénétiques pour le développement agricole des pays et leur adaptation au changement climatique. En utilisant Burkina Faso comme un exemple et le millet, le riz et le maïs comme cultures principales, cet étude présente les mouvements de matériel génétique tant à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur du pays, au cours des dernières années et dans l'avenir. Il illustre le degré de dépendance du Burkina Faso du matériel génétique provenant d'autres pays pour sa sécurité alimentaire et aussi l’utilisation par des autres pays du matériel génétique burkinabé. L'information qu’on présente peut encourager et faciliter la mise en oeuvre du Traité international et de son Système multilatéral dans le pays

La importancia de los intercambios internacionales de recursos fitogenéticos para la mejora de los cultivos en Guatemala

Una de las principales consideraciones para la creación del Tratado Internacional sobre los Recursos Fitogenéticos para la Alimentación y la Agricultura y de su Sistema Multilateral para el acceso y la distribución de beneficios es el reconocimiento de la interdependencia de todos los países sobre los recursos genéticos de los cultivos y forrajes más importantes para la seguridad alimentaria global. Para apoyar la implementación de un sistema global de acceso e intercambio de recursos fitogenéticos, contribuyendo al desarrollo agrícola y la adaptación al cambio climático de los países, es necesario apreciar los beneficios de los intercambios históricos de germoplasma y reconocer que es urgente que un sistema de intercambio facilitado siga en pie y se expanda en el futuro. Tomando el caso de Guatemala, y del maíz y frijoles como cultivos principales, el artículo describe la dinámica de los recursos genéticos de estos dos cultivos, tanto dentro como fuera del país, en el pasado y mirando hacia el futuro. Se ilustra así el grado en que Guatemala depende de germoplasma de otros países para su seguridad alimentaria, y cómo, de manera complementaria, otros países dependen de germoplasma procedente de Guatemala. Se espera que la información presentada aquí estimule y facilite la implementación del Tratado Internacional y del Sistema Multilateral en el país

The importance of international exchanges of plant genetic resources for national crop improvement in Burkina Faso

One of the main considerations underlying the establishment of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit Sharing is the recognition of countries’ high interdependence on the genetic resources of the crops and forages which they depend upon for their food security. A continued appreciation of how countries have benefited from facilitated exchange of germplasm in the past and are likely to continue doing so in the future is needed, in order to move forward the implementation of the Multilateral System and creating a truly global pool of genetic resources for countries’ agricultural development and adaptation to climate change. Using Burkina Faso as a case and millet, rice and maize as key crops, the paper presents a picture of the dynamics of their genetic resources, both inside and outside of the country, over past years and into the future. It illustrates the extent to which Burkina Faso is dependent upon germplasm from other countries for its food security, and how, in a complementary manner, other countries rely upon germplasm from Burkina Faso. It is hoped that the information presented here may encourage and facilitate the implementation of the International Treaty and its Multilateral System in the country

The importance of international exchanges of plant genetic resources for national crop improvement in Guatemala

One of the main considerations underlying the establishment of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit Sharing is the recognition of countries’ high interdependence on the genetic resources of the crops and forages which they depend upon for their food security. A continued appreciation of how countries have benefited from facilitated exchange of germplasm in the past and are likely to continue doing so in the future is needed, in order to move forward the implementation of the Multilateral System and creating a truly global pool of genetic resources for countries’ agricultural development and adaptation to climate change. Using Guatemala as a case and maize and beans as key crops, the paper presents a picture of the dynamics of their genetic resources, both inside and outside of the country, over past years and into the future. It illustrates the extent to which Guatemala is dependent upon germplasm from other countries for its food security, and how, in a complementary manner, other countries rely upon germplasm from Guatemala. It is hoped that the information presented here may encourage and facilitate the implementation of the International Treaty and its Multilateral System in the country

The importance of international exchanges of plant genetic resources for national crop improvement in Costa Rica

One of the main considerations underlying the establishment of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit Sharing is the recognition of countries’ high interdependence on the genetic resources of the crops and forages which they depend upon for their food security. A continued appreciation of how countries have benefited from facilitated exchange of germplasm in the past and are likely to continue doing so in the future is needed, in order to move forward the implementation of the Multilateral System and creating a truly global pool of genetic resources for countries’ agricultural development and adaptation to climate change. Using Costa Rica as a case and rice and bean as key crops, the paper presents a picture of the dynamics of their genetic resources, both inside and outside of the country, over past years and into the future. It illustrates the extent to which Costa Rica is dependent upon germplasm from other countries for its food security, and how, in a complementary manner, other countries rely upon germplasm from Costa Rica. It is hoped that the information presented here may encourage and facilitate the implementation of the International Treaty and its Multilateral System in the country