Using local agricultural biodiversity - A Kenyan farmer's story
Peninah Mwangangi has a smallholder farm in the arid region of Kitui, in eastern Kenya. She explains how using local traditional food crops have helped mitigate against harvest loss when the rains don't come. This is the third story in our 'Fork in the Road' series as part of our Rio+20 campaign.
Why understanding forest genetic resources is vital for future options
Laura Snook Programme Leader, Forest Genetic Resources Conservation and Use, talks about the need to harness the huge genetic diversity of different tree species to face challenges such as climate change and find sustainable ways to use and conserve it for our future. This video is the latest from our Rio+20 campaign blog.
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Using local agricultural biodiversity - A Kenyan farmer's story
Peninah Mwangangi has a smallholder farm in the arid region of Kitui, in eastern Kenya. She explains how using local traditional food crops have helped mitigate against harvest loss when the rains don't come. This is the third story in our 'Fork in the Road' series as part of our Rio+20 campaign.
Why understanding forest genetic resources is vital for future options
Laura Snook Programme Leader, Forest Genetic Resources Conservation and Use, talks about the need to harness the huge genetic diversity of different tree species to face challenges such as climate change and find sustainable ways to use and conserve it for our future. This video is the latest from our Rio+20 campaign blog.
A fork in the road to Rio: Kenya
Peninah Mwangangi has a smallholder farm in the arid region of Kitui, in eastern Kenya. She explains how using local traditional food crops have helped mitigate against harvest loss when the rains don't come. This is the third story in our 'Fork in the Road' series as part of our Rio+20 campaign.
On the Road to Rio - Bioversity's Campaign Blog
Check out the today's post on our Rio+20 campaign blog. Bioversity technical editor, Vincent Johnson, looks at three commodity crops that are of special importance for smallholder farmers - banana, cocoa and coconut. (Photo: Bioversity/A. Vezina)
A fork in the road to Rio: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
The mountainous area around Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is one of the centres of origin for traditional fruit tree varieties such as apple, peach and pomegranate. Meet the farmers who, with support from Bioversity, are helping to put these trees back at the heart of local communities.
Knowledge of forest genetic diversity to help restore forested landscapes
Bioversity is coordinating a study on the use of native tree species to restore forests around the world, as a contribution to a review by the FAO to be published in April 2013. Read our Rio+20 blog post by Riina Jalonen to learn more.
New timber tracking tools to bolster global fight against illegal logging
The Global Timber Tracking Network, coordinated by Bioversity International as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, is leading efforts to promote the use of innovative control tools based on the application of DNA and stable isotope research to identify timber species and trace their origins. Photo: Tian Yake
A fork in the road to Rio: Stopping in Nepal to meet Surya Adhikari
The first in our new series: 'A fork in the road - meeting farmers on the road to Rio' takes us to Nepal to meet Surya Adhikari. This series is part of our On the road to Rio campaign. His farm is a model for visitors from all over the world who come to learn how mixing together agricultural biodiversity, the laws of nature and scientific knowledge can benefit their own farming practices.
Heading toward a food secure future: On the road to Rio
Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International launches our campaign blog: "I hope you will join us on the Road to Rio+20. Bioversity International is covering ground in the quest for sustainability – what it truly means and takes to deliver a food secure future for the people in the world who need it most".
The impact of organic bananas in Alto Beni, Bolivia
Poor farmers in the Alto Beni region of Bolivia continue to enjoy improved livelihoods thanks to a project on organic bananas implemented by Bioversity International. An impact assessment, using an asset-based livelihoods approach, found that 85% of farm families in the region said their incomes had increased since the end of the project.
The impact of organic bananas in Alto Beni, Bolivia
Poor farmers in the Alto Beni region of Bolivia continue to enjoy improved livelihoods thanks to a project on organic bananas implemented by Bioversity International.
Undervalued Yet Nutritious Traditional Foods Can Make the Difference - Press release
“Diversity of diet, founded on diverse farming systems, delivers better nutrition and greater health, with additional benefits for human productivity and livelihoods,” said Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International at the launch of a new international project in Rio today.
New Agricultural Biodiversity Project to Improve Nutrition and Food Security Worldwide
Placing renewed emphasis on sustaining the natural variety of crops and animals contributing to agriculture, including neglected yet nutritious traditional foods, can improve food security and address growing global concerns over poor nutrition and its negative health effects, officials said at the launch of a new international project at the World Nutrition Rio Congress 2012.
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A fork in the road to Rio: Nepal
Meet Surya Adhikari – a progressive smallholder Nepalese farmer, agricultural scientist and ambassador for agricultural biodiversity. This is the first in a series of stories meeting farmers along the road to Rio.
Agricultural biodiversity project to tackle poor nutrition
A collaboration to mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use for improved human nutrition will be launched at the World Nutrition Rio Congress 2012 this weekend. This partnership will strengthen the evidence linking agrobiodiversity with good nutrition, and provide information on nutritional and health benefits of traditional food sources.
Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition
A global project of Global Environment Facility (GEF) will 'mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use for improved human nutrition and wellbeing' into national and global policies and programs. .
Bioversity International - On the Road to Rio+20
Join our campaign trail for Rio+20 stopping to meet farmers on the way in our new series: 'A fork in the road' and check out our Rio blog.
Bioversity scientist co-edits new book series integrating ecology and development
Bioversity International scientist Fabrice DeClerck has co-edited a new two-volume book series on the significant role of ecology and its connections to global issues.
Assessing the success of on-farm conservation projects in delivering conservation and livelihood outcomes.
On-farm conservation is the focus of much research but a lack of tools makes it difficult to systematically evaluate success in terms of outcomes that maintain on-farm diversity and create livelihood incentives for farmers. Thanks to a recently completed impact assessment project in the High Andes, this may be about to change.
Taking a serious look at gender issues – starting with ourselves
An independent scoping study of gender in CGIAR Research Programs noted that Trees, Forestry and Agroforestry had “integrated gender in original and effective ways”. An inception meeting for the program's genetic diversity of forests and trees component took this to heart, analyzing feedback from male and female participants. Photo:Hari Priyadi/CIFOR
Bioversity signs agreement to extend banana work in Philippines
Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4, a destructive fungal disease, continues to spread through plantations of bananas in Asia, threatening traditional varieties that small-scale banana growers depend on for their livelihoods. Two new projects, supported by Bureau of Agricultural Research, will not only seek solutions to mitigate the epidemic, but also concentrate on capacity-building with farmers, extension agents and local researchers for its effective management. Photo: Bioversity/Blomme
PhD Fellowship for a national of Benin: Food Security and Nutrition
fellowship opportunity in food security and nutrition for the nationals coming from Benin
It’s all in the name - conserving bananas in the Pacific region
Collecting banana diversity is more than just a matter of knowing which accessions (samples) to conserve. Ongoing work in French Polynesia is showing that diversity is not just found in genetic traits, but also the different names given to varieties.
Taking a landscape view of people, food and nature
Following the International Forum for People, Food and Nature in Nairobi last week, Fabrice de Clerck, Bioversity International Programme Leader, talks about why he thinks integrated landscape approaches can help deliver on food security, sustainable agriculture and conservation.
CGIAR appoints Dr. Frank Rijsberman as new CEO
The CGIAR Consortium has appointed Dr. Frank Rijsberman as its new CEO. Rijsberman is currently part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Development Program, leading a team tasked with alleviating the burden of water-borne diseases and improving access to sanitation, especially in Africa and Asia. Bioversity International is a CGIAR Consortium Research Centre.
Linking Agriculture, Food Systems and Nutrition: What’s your perspective?
"Productivity is increasingly based on yield per acre, with little consideration to the nutritional value of what is produced." Kwesi Attah-Krah, Bioversity Deputy Director General, joins the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition debate. Have your say by 26th February.
USDA launch information system for world's genebanks
The US Department of Agriculture, partnering with Bioversity International and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, launch an Internet-based information management system for the world's plant genebanks. Genebanks support global food production security goals by ensuring access to plant genetic resources (Photo: Keith Weller)
Science to tackle the illegal timber trade
It has been estimated that illegal logging is worth more than US$10 billion a year. The problem is that timber is difficult to identify, while documents are easy to falsify. A new Bioversity-led project, part of the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforesty, aims to find scientific processes to pinpoint the species and geographic origin of timber.
A coconut embryo culture protocol for the international exchange of germplasm
The coconut palm is integral to the culture of many countries and supports more than 10 million sustainable livelihoods worldwide. Yet genetic erosion, climate-change and disease are placing bio-diverse coconut heritage under threat.
Bringing neglected and underutilized species back to the table
"It is indeed possible to turn underutilized species into an effective instrument of development and improvement of peoples’ livelihood" - Bioversity scientists look back at the successes of the first UN global effort specifically devoted to the promotion of neglected and underutilized species.
Landscapes for People, Food and Nature
The new Landscapes for People, Food and Nature blog highlights integrated landscape management systems that can protect livelihoods, conserve biodiversity and improve food security. Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International, is today's guest blogger - talking about why he thinks its time to rethink agricultural approaches.
Fire is essential for sustainable forest regeneration
Slash and burn agriculture results in the best regeneration of a rich diversity of valuable tropical timber species. This conclusion, based on years of research in the community-managed forests of Quintana Roo in Mexico, ought to be taken into account in forest management plans, which currently lean towards banning the use of fire.
Fire is essential for sustainable forest regeneration - Press Release, 27 January 2012
Slash and burn agriculture of the type practiced by smallholder farmers results in the best regeneration of valuable tropical timber trees, according to a paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society of Tropical Foresters at Yale University today.
Forests, Trees and Agroforestry
The CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry aims to enhance the management and use of forests, agroforestry and tree genetic resources across the landscape, from farms to forests.
CGIAR Research Programs
As part of its reorganisation, the Consortium of International Research Centers(CGIAR)adopted a new vision, of reducing poverty and hunger, improving human health and nutrition, and enhancing sustainable management of natural resources in the developing world. This vision will be delivered through four strategic system outcomes.
Philippine government to adopt new coconut conservation culture
The Philippine government will use a coconut embryo culture technique, that is directly linked to a research programme carried out by Bioversity International through the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network. The Philippines is the world’s largest exporter of coconut products, with an export market worth around $2 billion.
The potential of paying smallholders to conserve traditional crops
New Agriculturist highlights a Bioversity pilot scheme to pay farmers for conserving traditional crop varieties, such as quinoa (pictured), which could help stem the rapid loss of our crop diversity.
The value of conserving coffee diversity
Coffee is not only one of the most popular drinks in the world, but also the world's most valuable agricultural export commodity and the source of income for many smallholder farmers in the developing world. Yet coffee diversity is at risk and its not easy to conserve. Could cryopreservation be the answer?
Is cryopreservation a viable method for long-term conservation of coffee biodiversity?
Coffee is difficult to conserve using conventional methods and as a result is often conserved in field genebanks - which is costly and has a number of disadvantages. This impact study examines the viability of cryopreservation techniques as an alternative approach.
Atlas of Guatemalan Crop Wild Relatives
A unique web resource designed to facilitate the conservation and use of wild plant species that are related to cultivated crops in Guatemala.
The impact of diversity field forums: improving farmer management of millet and sorghum in Mali
An impact assessment of work on Mail to improve crop management practices working with smallholder farmers
International Landscapes for People, Food and Nature – An international effort to scale up sustainable rural development
A new 3 year initiative will support scaled-up sustainable landscape management approaches in over 60 biodiversity hotspots around the world.
Un concurso competitivo para conservar variedades amenazadas de quinua en Bolivia y Perú
38 comunidades en Bolivia y Perú compiten por conservar variedades nativas identificadas en estado de riesgo
PACS factsheets, technical notes and policy briefs
A set of factsheets and policy briefs about Bioversity's work on PACS available in English and Spanish.
Using Neglected and Underutilized Species to empower women in Bolivia and India
Bioversity senior scientist Stefano Padulosi, talks about how a project in India and Bolivia, is encouraging women to reintroduce traditional crops to family diets
New Bioversity nutrition strategy now online
Bioversity International's new nutrition programme is now available. Read how we will work with smallholder farmers to promote agricultural biodiversity within food production systems.
Objective 4: To mainstream the role of agricultural biodiversity into public health and nutrition policy and practice by sharing evidence and providing local solutions
Through Bioversity International's research programme, we will contribute to international efforts to address global food concerns such as the response to soaring food prices across the globe, food sovereignty, the effect of globalization of diets on health and the need to promote the effective conservation and utilization of this globally significant resource.
Objective 3: To determine best practices and delivery systems of agricultural biodiversity in nutrition and health development programmes
This objective seeks to understand how to integrate and implement the tools and methodologies of agricultural biodiversity to positively impact nutrition development programmes and food assistance on the ground.
Objective 2: To ensure that the production of more nutritious foods through commercial pathways reflects agricultural biodiverse practices and cultural and consumer preferences
The links between what is produced on the farm, the consumer who buys that food, and the income received by the producer does not stop at what is produced.
Objective 1: To strengthen the empirical evidence of agricultural biodiversity’s role for nutrition and health
The major objective of this research will be to generate a better understanding of the links among agricultural biodiversity, diet quality, and nutrition and health, as well as the overall role of nutrition within agricultural systems.
Scientific Advisory Council Members
Bioversity works with an external Scientific Advisory Council to monitor and evaluate our nutrition research programme
Our tools
Agricultural biodiversity is the basis of the food and nutrition value chain with under-exploited potential for contributing to food security, health, income generation, and ecosystem services.
Bioversity's nutrition strategy
Bioversity’s Nutrition Strategy for 2011-2021 centres on using food and nutrition system approaches to improve human nutrition and health.
Our beneficiaries
At least half of the world’s food-insecure people are smallholder farmers living in poverty. Yet smallholder farms produce around one third of the world's food and play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity.
Global malnutrition - the context
An estimated 925 million people are hungry and many more are malnourished. Modern food systems do not deliver dietary diversity concentrating on just three staple crops.
Nutrition
Resilient food and nutrition systems - Analyzing the role of agricultural biodiversity in enhancing human nutrition and health and a look at Bioversity's nutrition research programme.
11 Priority African Food Tree Species - New Booklet Series
A new series of booklets gathers together existing information and makes recommendations for the conservation and sustainable use of 11 threatened species.
Pioneering study shows how traditional seed systems may cope with climate change
A pioneering new study throws new light on the ways smallholder farmers will be able to obtain seeds to cope with climate change.
Seeds for Needs project update - helping women farmers in Ethiopia adapt to climate change
A year into the Seeds for Needs project in Ethiopia, project leader Eshan Dulloo reports on progress.
African Food Tree Species - Leaflet series
A series of leaflets that look at 11 priority African food tree species containing recommendations for the conservation and use of their genetic resources
Millenium Development Goal 1 Hunger Target - A review of global progress
A new paper, co-authored by Bioversity scientist, Jessica Fanzo, examines progress by reviewing evidence from 40 community-based programs as well as national and international efforts.
Neglected and Underutilized Species research gets a big boost in Malaysia
An innovative research centre, specifically designed to evaluate underutilized crops, is launched in Kuala Lumpur.
Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
PES schemes provide incentives to farmers and landowners to provide ecosystem services that benefit wider society.
Fundraising for forgotten fruit trees comes to Rome
The continuing campaign to raise money to save a rare fruit tree collection comes to Rome on 14th July.
A competitive tender to conserve threatened quinoa varieties in Bolivia and Peru
38 communities in Bolivia and Peru compete to conserve endangered landraces.
Assessing nutritional diversity of cropping systems in African villages
A new research paper examines the urgent need for metrics that monitor agricultural progress in Africa beyond calories produced per capita.
On the road to Rio+20
Bioversity sets out on the road to Rio+20. Check out our campaign blog and our new series of farmer stories - A fork in the road.
Payments for Agrobiodiversity Conservation Services
The application of Payment for Ecosystem Services(PES) specifically for agricultural biodiversity conservation (PACS) is a new idea and Bioversity is at its forefront.
Peruvian bananas take centre stage at first international symposium
Representatives from 21 countries met last week in Peru for the first ‘Banana and Plantain in Latin America and the Caribbean' international symposium.
On farm conservation, neglected and underutilized species, and climate change - a new international effort
Bioversity and partners launch a new on farm agricultural biodiversity conservation project, in India, Nepal and Bolivia
On-farm conservation, neglected and underutilised species, and the challenge of climate change - a new Bioversity project
Bioversity and partners in India, Nepal and Bolivia, launch a new on farm conservation project in response to an unprecedented loss of species, varieties and traditional knowledge.
The Musa International Transit Centre - Bioversity Impact Assessment
User feedback on the impact of Bioversity's International Transit Centre
Users assess the impact of Bioversity's Banana Transit Centre
How well does Bioversity's International Transit Centre (ITC) serve its users? A recent impact assessment study aimed to find out.
Musa International Transit Centre
Bioversity's International Transit Centre (ITC), hosted at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, is home to the world’s largest collection of banana and plantain germplasm.
The Arboreal Archeology Foundation launches fundraising campaign
The race is on to raise 250,000 euro by 31 July to save a collection of rare Umbrian fruit trees.
MAPFORGEN: An online atlas to support the conservation of forest genetic resources
The MAPFORGEN project will evaluate the conservation status of 100 socio-economically important woody species from different eco-regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Celebrating Forest Biodiversity
To mark the International Day of Biological Biodiversity on 22 May, Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity, welcomes this year's theme - forest diversity - as we prepare to bring you a week of forest stories.
Sustainable forest management on the Niassa Reserve: A Bioversity Project Report
Read about a project in the Niassa Reserve, Mozambique to find sustainable conservation strategies to protect its woodlands and help local populations.
Sustainable forest resources in the Niassa National Reserve, Mozambique: A Bioversity Project Report
A project to work with people living in the Reserve to find sustainable conservation strategies to protects its woodlands.
Stemming the spread of cacao pests and diseases
Updated guidelines for the safe movement of cacao germplasm take into account increased risk of pests and diseases.
On the trail of the African cherry tree
An African journey - Mapping the genetic diversity of Prunus africana
On the trail of the African Cherry Tree
A research project to improve livelihoods of small-scale farmers culminates on the humid slopes of Mount Cameroon.
Setting the standards for genebank conservation
Bioversity scientist Ehsan Dulloo presents the new Genebank Standards at the recent Eucarpia conference in Wageningen.
Banking on Russian berries for improved nutrition
A Bioversity project to promote the use of local berry fruits for a healthier diet in Russia shows how genebanks can play a pivotal role in improved nutrition.
A common language for plant resources
A new impact assessment study looks at the effectiveness of Bioversity's Descriptor lists, a series of publications that aim to standardise the way plant resources are documented.
Capturing and sharing information on genetic resources
A look at the usefulness of Bioversity's Descriptor Lists to a range of users and their value in promoting collaboration and plant genetic resources information exchange.
Placing biodiversity 'in trust' for the future: Bioversity impact assessment
The second in our series of impact assessment publications examines the influence of ‘In Trust’ agreements set up by Bioversity in 1994 in response to changes in the legislative environment.
The challenge of impact assessment
Bioversity launches a series of impact assessment publications starting with a detailed look at our African Leafy Vegetables Programme in Kenya.
Vegetable Innovation in Malawi
Local farmer groups and agro-dealers work together to improve vegetable production in southeast Africa.
How we conduct Impact Assessment
Pathways that link the research process with the generation of outputs and their dissemination and uptake help the scientist analyse and plan for the likely changes caused by the intervention.
A diverse approach to manage agricultural pests and diseases
International scientists are meeting in Rabat to discuss a ground-breaking global project that offers new insights into how even the poorest farmers can protect their crops against pests and disease epidemics.
Scientific and technical challenges
Outputs coming from Bioversity's research are diverse as are the pathways which connect these outputs to disseminated outcomes that subsequently make a change.
Operational challenges
The way Bioversity operates contributes challenges for impact assessment, particulalry in terms of accountability and attribution
African Leafy Vegetables Programme: Bioversity Impact Assessment
Assessing the impact of a project in Kenya to increase production, consumption and marketing of African Leafy Vegetables.
Impact Assessment
Assessing the impact of our research is an essential part of Bioversity's work. It ensures we are delivering on our committments and enables us to plan our future research effectively. It also allows us to engage and inform development agencies and policymakers, and be accountable to our donors and partners. The very nature of
The Global Diversity of Taro: ethnobotany and conservation
Taro Leaf Blight is devastating crops in West Africa. A new Bioversity publication on taro diversity offers potential solutions.
Agricultural Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition security
A new paper from Bioversity reviews evidence that agricultural biodiversity is an essential component in the sustainable delivery of a more secure food supply.
We are what we eat - Selected Foods from West Africa
A new data table of food composition data for traditional West African foods.
Cocoa farmers full of beans for a brighter future
A new Bioversity report examines how a growing taste for quality chocolate can pay for smallholder rural families.
The sub-Saharan African Forest Genetic Resources Programme
SAFORGEN seeks to enable people and institutions in sub-Saharan Africa to both maintain and fully utilize existing forest biodiversity through the development of an effective networking platform.
Valuing the African Cherry Tree
Development of conservation and sustainable use strategies for Prunus africana to improve the livelihood of small-scale farmers in Africa.
Crop wild relatives - their conservation and importance
A multimedia presentation explains what crop wild relatives are and why it is important to conserve them.
New online learning tool - International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
A new learning module for plant genetic resource practitioners who need to understand the legal and policy environment is launched today.
Knowledge base for genebank managers – and others – launched
The CGIAR’s System-wide Genetic Resources Programme today unveiled a massive and growing repository of information useful to anyone with an interest in genebanks.
Award for banana research
Collaboration between Honduras and Tanzania to improve banana production has been recognized by the UN’s Global South-South Development Expo
Urgent research needed to sustain banana crops in Asia and the Pacific.
International meeting calls for urgent action to protect bananas against pests and disease outbreaks and climate change threats.
The Satoyama Initiative: what it means for agriculture and conservation
Bioversity scientist, Pablo Eyzaguirre, talks about the implications of this important initiative adopted at the COP 10 Meeting in Nagoya, Japan.
Chocolate diversity – more than a matter of taste?
The 2010 International cocoa awards show that high quality production on a small scale can really pay off.
Interview on Seeds for Needs in Ethiopia
A video interview with Project Leader Ehsan Dulloo, about Seeds for Needs in Ethiopia.
Bioversity Project - Conservation and management guidelines for Dipterocarp trees
This project will analyse current forest management and genetic conservation strategies and guidelines in South East Asis to identify gaps and threats to the long-term viability of populations of Dipterocarp species.
Kasaragod Declaration maps out a more prosperous future for small-scale coconut growers
The recent Coconut Biodiversity Conference in Kerala called for action to safeguard the livelihoods of small-scale coconut farmers.
Descriptor lists and derived standards
Descriptors are the basis of major information platforms such as GENESYS and EURISCO, and also the FAO World Information and Early Warning System.
Sharing information
Gathering and sharing information about our agricultural biodiversity is vital to its conservation and use, for farmers, scientists, conservationists and breeders.
On farm conservation
On farm conservation involves the protection of threatened species in their natural habitats and takes into account social and cultural factors such as farmer's indigenous knowledge about local crops.
The conservation and management of tree species
Bioversity aims to understand the threats to tree species and especially to valuable populations of trees of species that have economic or social importance for people.
Biodiversity and Sustainable Diet symposium agrees draft outputs
The three-day symposium on Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets, organized jointly by Bioversity and FAO, concluded with a commitment to promote sustainable diets to benefit the rural poor.
Bringing biodiversity to the plate: Nutrition education a vital ingredient
Day two of the Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets Symposium challenges some perceptions of what constitutes a tasty snack
Linking agriculture, nutrition and health: Biodiversity as the key to reaching Millennium Development Goal 1
As the three-day Symposium "Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets" starts in Rome, we report on the first day’s events.
The Nagoya Protocol for the rest of us
It will take time for the true worth of the newly agreed Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing to become known. In the meantime, the head of Bioversity’s Policy & Law Unit offers some thoughts.
Biodiversity & Sustainable Diets: United Against Hunger
The programme for the International Scientific Symposium - Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets - to be held next week in Rome, is now available.
Future of Italian fruit tree collection in doubt
A rare collection of figs, sour cherries, pears and apples faces an uncertain future in southern Italy.
Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya, Japan
The 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity opened this week in Nagoya, Japan, on 18 October 2010.
Unlocking the potential of minor millets
Newly published research papers reveal the potential of minor millets to improve people’s lives in southern India.
Farmers have a field day in Rajasthan
90 farmers, 12 scientists, 21 pearl millet landraces and a borrowed bus celebrate agrobiodiversity in India.
Regenerating Andean Crop Collections
Bioversity scientist, Jesús María Salcedo, reports on work to keep genebank accessions viable in the Americas.
Safeguarding traditional foodways
Bioversity is partnering with UNESCO to identify and safeguard threatened foodways in two Kenyan communities.
Steps towards implementing the International Treaty in Peru
A new study examines the exchange and use of plant genetic resources in Peru.
Home Gardens: Neglected hotspots of agricultural and cultural diversity
More attention should be given to conserving agro-biodiversity in home gardens and farmers' fields according to a recently published article from Bioversity scientists.
Securing Europe’s forest genetic resources
The ownership of forest genetic resources and improved information sharing within Europe are both high on the agenda in Vienna.
Cacao as charismatic species
Conservationists have their Siberian Tigers, Blue Whales and Coral Reefs. But where is the charismatic agricultural biodiversity?
Seeds for Needs in Papua New Guinea
Find out how Bioversity is helping farmers to adapt to climate change by watching this project video report.
Press Release: Dietary diversity the best approach to diet-related diseases
Dr Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International, calls for a new approach to fight hunger and malnutrition at the Crawford Fund’s 2010 international conference in Canberra, Australia.
Heavy metal snacks - A Bioversity project report
Small-scale producers in Peru are implementing better quality control in their food handling practices after finding an unexpected ingredient in their snack products.
Why pop just corn? A Bioversity project report
Work to develop markets for traditional grains and seeds in Africa focused on creating 'pop-cereal' snacks to tempt local taste buds.
Pop goes the cereal
Bioversity projects in Africa and South America are taking advantage of an increasing market for snack food by turning traditional grains into tasty treats.
Bioversity Director General intensifies campaign to save Russian berries
As the 11 August deadline looms for the court ruling on the future of the Pavlovsk Research Centre, activity to save its vast field collection of fruits and berries has intensified.
Traditional African Leafy Vegetables more popular than ever
The resurgence of traditional leafy vegetables in east Africa is raising interst around the world -- even in China.
A History of the Abdou-Salam Ouédraogo Fellowship
Bioversity's Abdou-Salam Ouédraogo Fellowship offers support for research on conservation and use of forest genetic resources.
A History of the Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship
The aim of the Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship Fund is to encourage the conservation and use of plant genetic resources by enabling outstanding young scientists to carry out relevant, innovative research outside their own countries.
Climate Change
It is predicted that by 2055 more than half of the 23 crops studied by Bioversity scientists will lose land suitable for their cultivation
Genebanks
Genebanks provide safe storage to ensure that varieties and landraces of crops and their wild relatives are secure but also that they are made easily available for use by farmers, plant breeders and researchers.
Neglected & Underutilized Species
Global food security has become increasingly dependent on only a handful of crops which has resulted in thousands of species with local relevance becoming neglected and underutilized.
Crop Wild Relatives
Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) can be defined as wild plant species that are more or less genetically related to crops.CWR have been used to improve yields and the nutritional quality of crops since the beginnings of agriculture.
Karnataka Farmers lead Millet Revival in Southern India
The cultivation of declining traditional millet crops in Karnataka’s dryland tracts has been given a boost with the opening of the southern state's first seedbank specialising in millet strains.
Seeds for Needs
A race to protect future food security by pre-selecting and testing crop varieties naturally adapted to expected climate conditions.
Bioversity celebrates cocoa diversity
An international panel of experts at the Salon du Chocolat judges the merits of cocoa samples, adding value and ultimately improving the cocoa farmers' incomes.
Forest genetic diversity
Laura Snook, Programme Leader, Forest Genetic Resources Conservation and Use, talks about why tree genetic diversity is important.
Conservation
One of Bioversity’s key research priorities is to use agricultural biodiversity to promote the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of plant resources
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture has to be cohesive at environmental, economic and socio-cultural levels. The work of Bioversity International supports all three aspects.
Research
Research to improve agriculture is the single most effective investment in economic development for poor countries. Studies by donor agencies show that return on investments in agricultural research and development is higher than for any other sector.
Around the World
Bioversity operates in more than 100 countries in five regions around the world. Click on the map to find out about Bioversity's work
CROP WILD RELATIVES | EURISCO | THE AGROBIODIVERSITY GRAPEVINE | PROMUSA | PLATFORM FOR AGROBIODIVERSITY RESEARCH
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