On-farm conservation of plant genetic resources: 'Genes in the Field'

Issue Date

8-2006

Abstract

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are materials including the genetic parts and components that have actual or potential use to humanity. PGR are a vital element of a nation's cultural heritage. Today this is being eroded by modern agriculture, including replacement of mixed crop subsistence farming by commercial farming, urbanization and industrial development. The recognition of the importance of PGR to the economy and well-being of the people has triggered a worldwide interest in the collection and conservation of the still-extant genetic diversity. Two general implementations of PGR conservation are: ex situ (off site) and in situ (in place). If on-form conservation is to form part of the national conservation strategy as a complement to ex situ conservation, then: (a) the benefits derived from crop genetic resources must be enhanced by improving the existing materials on-farm or increasing the demand for the material; (b) the farmers' access to diversity must be strengthened, the link of the formal (those holding the ex situ collections) and the informal (on-farm) seed supply systems must be strengthened as well; (c) the government should exercise political will to implement its commitment to support farmers' efforts to conserve genetic resources on-farm through policies like providing marketing channels and other incentives which can encourage farmers to continue to grow traditional varieties and heterogeneous populations; and (d) the government should allot funds to support activities for on-farm conservation.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

31

Issue

2

Page

15-21

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

picture

Language

English

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