New strategies and partnerships for the sustainable use of plant genetic resources

In light of the Ad Hoc Technical Committee meeting   [2]on the Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, that took place for the first time in November 8-9, 2012 in Rome, Italy, Bioversity International's Policy Unit has developed New strategies and partnerships for the sustainable use of plant genetic resources  [3]: a policy brief for submission to the Committee. 

Created in 2011—pursuant to a decision taken by the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture  [4]—the Committee is comprised of two experts nominated from each region and additional technical experts.

The Committee met to develop a programme of work, to be adopted by the Governing Body, concerning the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, pursuant to Article 6 of the International Treaty  [5] (p. 7) and also discussed the scope and method for understanding stakeholders’ perceptions and needs, and considered the content of a ‘sustainable use toolbox’ that will be developed for adoption.

New strategies and partnerships for the sustainable use of plant genetic resources highlights research projects and initiatives involving the sustainable use of plant genetic resources to promote rural development and adaptation to climate change. The highlighted cases involve international research organizations working in close partnership with farmers and community organizations (along with national agricultural research organizations) to support them make the most out of locally-sourced diversity, and/or obtain and use improved materials from outside their local seed systems. The cases underline the importance of strengthening and building upon local institutions, capacities and priorities as part of promoting the sustainable use of crop diversity.

Bioversity International hopes that the programme of work eventually adopted by the Governing Body will likewise reflect the importance of building on local institutions and strengthening capacities of farming communities to sustainably use plant genetic diversity from multiple sources.

The sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture can be broadly defined as: the use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in support of sustainable agriculture which requires an agricultural system that produces and facilitates access to sufficient food for all people and contributes to livelihoods and socio-economic development while protecting the environment (Lipper and Cooper, 2009).