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Proceedings of the First International Multi-Stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Technical consultation on in situ conservation and on-farm management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

29–30 March 2021, Rome, Italy










FAO. 2022. Proceedings of the First International Multi-stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Technical consultation on in situ conservation and on-farm management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture – 29–30 March 2021, Rome, Italy. Rome.




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    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    First International Multi-stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
    information note - Technical Consultation on in situ conservation and on-farm management of PGRFA
    2021
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    The challenge of sustainably producing more food with fewer inputs may be met only if the broadest possible diversity of plant genetic resources for food and agricultural (PGRFA) can be efficiently conserved and easily accessed for sources of new traits. Currently, various drivers of genetic erosion, including changes in agricultural practices, the introduction of modern crop varieties, changes in land use, destruction or fragmentation of habitats, climate change and other factors, are increasingly threatening the continued existence, and hence availability, of these resources. A significant amount of crop diversity can only be effectively preserved in protected areas and farmers’ fields where evolution and adaptation continue to occur. This variation, derived from interactions between genotypes and the environment, provides a crucial source of environmental resilience as well as an important source of nutrients. Crop wild relatives (CWR) represent a rich and largely unexplored reservoir of novel traits and genes that can be used to develop crop varieties, incorporating pest and disease resistance and adapted to climate change. Wild food plants can be direct and important sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, complementing those of staple crops. PGRFA found on-farm, including farmers’ varieties/landraces, often the mainstay of family’s livelihoods, and are adapted to specific ecological conditions and/or farming practices. Failure to ensure adequate conservation and management of this critically important diversity may result in its permanent loss.
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    Meeting
    First International Multi-Stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. AGENDA
    Technical Consultation on in situ conservation and on-farm management of PGRFA 29–30 March 2021
    2021
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    No results found.

    The challenge of sustainably producing more food with fewer inputs may be met only if the broadest possible diversity of plant genetic resources for food and agricultural (PGRFA) can be efficiently conserved and easily accessed for sources of new traits. Currently, various drivers of genetic erosion, including changes in agricultural practices, the introduction of modern crop varieties, changes to land use, destruction or fragmentation of habitats, climate change and other factors, are increasingly threatening the continued existence, and hence availability, of these resources. A significant amount of crop diversity can only be effectively preserved in protected areas and farmers’ fields where evolution and adaptation continue to occur. This variation, derived from interactions between genotypes and the environment, provides a crucial source of environmental resilience as well as an important source of nutrients. Crop wild relatives (CWR) represent a rich and largely unexplored reservoir of novel traits and genes that can be used to develop crop varieties, incorporating pest and disease resistance and adapted to climate change. Wild food plants can be direct and important sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, complementing those of staple crops. PGRFA found on-farm, including farmers’ varieties/landraces, often the mainstay of family’s livelihoods, and are adapted to specific ecological conditions and/or farming practices. Failure to ensure adequate conservation and management of this critically important diversity may result in its permanent loss.
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    Booklet
    Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
    Safeguarding our food security
    2023
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    The booklet describes the importance of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) to address food insecurity, biodiversity loss, climate change adaptation, and poverty alleviation. It explains why PGRFA matter to food security and how the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA are addressed in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, including what guidance the International Treaty offers in its Articles 5 and 6 regarding measures and activities to be undertaken to support the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA. The booklet also describes the four types of challenges and bottlenecks to the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, including legal, policy and institutional challenges; technical and scientific issues; seed distribution and marketing of landraces and farmers’ crop varieties; and resource constraints. Finally, the booklet suggests how to improve current practices to safeguard our food security, with an emphasis on the responsibility of governments and institutions; the importance of public awareness, education and engagement; the role of science, research and innovation; and the need for resources. The booklet is designed to enhance understanding and awareness of the importance of PGRFA and increase the visibility of the International Treaty on PGRFA among the various stakeholders who work in crop conservation and use in their daily activities, such as agricultural researchers, gene bank personnel, breeders and farmers as well as other interested parties, including academia, the media and the general public.

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