Farmers’ knowledge and rights: the policy challenges

Post by Ronnie Vernooy, Policy Unit, Bioversity International writes for CCAFS

Recent changes in CGIAR operations have led to a number of new policy challenges.  This was one of the findings of a study of how plant genetic resources move into and out of CGIAR.  The study ‘Flows under stress: availability of plant genetic resources in times of climate and policy change’ describes how eight members of the CGIAR Consortium, whose research is focused on plant genetic resources, are (re)organizing their conservation and improvement activities in light of climate change adaptation. It also analyzes how the collection, use, and distribution of plant genetic resources by members of the CGIAR Consortium are influenced by international and national policies, treaties and agreements.

The study was carried out for the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) by researchers at Bioversity International, a member of the CGIAR Consortium, and partners. Issues reviewed include private-sector engagement, public availability of outputs, intellectual property, demands of donor agencies, and participation of farmers in crop improvement and seed production initiatives. An important theme related to these issues is how to properly recognize and promote indigenous and traditional knowledge and farmers’ contributions to the conservation and  improvement of plant genetic resources (158 KB). Farmers and their communities all over the world continue to be the main custodians of agricultural biodiversity through the conservation, use and improvement of plant genetic resources on-farm.  

[Read full article on cgiar.org here]