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Global Plan of Action 177. Assessment:
Many major crops are, to quote an early National Academy of
Sciences assessment of the US situation, impressively uniform
genetically and impressively vulnerable. Uniformity does not
equate with nor necessarily lead to vulnerability. And the
lack of perfect assessment and forecasting tools and methodologies
means that the degree of vulnerability cannot be precisely
identified. Nevertheless, it is important to monitor this
situation in order to take remedial or precautionary actions
when warranted. 178. In the future
agricultural systems will need to incorporate a broader range
of crops including inter alia crops which produce raw
material or are sources of energy. As a precaution, some actions
are warranted now to encourage and facilitate the use of more
diversity in breeding programmes and in the varieties and
species used on farms. Innovative approaches in plant breeding
for the purposes of domesticating new crops, the development
of new plant varieties and the promotion of higher levels
of genetic diversity in crops and on farms, such as planting
mixtures of adapted varieties, are recognized as means for
adding stability in agricultural systems and promoting agricultural
production and food security. 179. Long-term
objectives: To promote sustainable agriculture and
reduce genetic erosion and possible genetic vulnerability
by diversifying crop production and increasing genetic diversity
in crops. 180. Intermediate
objectives: To review periodically genetic vulnerability
in crops and encourage breeders and appropriate groups, to
take mitigating action nationally and internationally, as
appropriate. 181. To promote the
goal of higher levels of genetic diversity consistent with
productivity increase and agronomic needs, including in crop
production, plant breeding and biotechnological research and
development settings. 182. Policy/strategy:
Governments and relevant intergovernmental organizations in
cooperation with crop networks, research institutions, extension
agencies, the private sector, farmers organizations and NGOs,
should: (a) Regularly monitor
genetic uniformity and assess vulnerability in crops; (b) review policies
which may affect the level of diversity in agricultural systems,
and specifically the degree of genetic uniformity and vulnerability
of major crops. (c) increase heterogeneity
by planting mixtures of adapted varieties and species as appropriate.
183. Funding agencies
should be encouraged to continue to provide support to international
agricultural centres, national agricultural research systems,
and other relevant research bodies and NGOs, for work aimed
at enhancing levels of genetic diversity in agricultural systems.
The release by the international centres of unfinished varieties
to national programmes for further development, including
on-farm improvement, and in accordance with an appropriate
strategy, is one measure which could bring higher levels of
diversity, adaptation and stability to crops. The selection
of high yielding landraces/farmers varieties is another measure.
184. Capacity:
Governments, and their national agricultural research systems,
supported by the International Agricultural Research Centres,
and other research and extension organizations should: (a) increase their
capacity to develop and use multilines, mixtures and synthetic
varieties, as appropriate; (b) increase their
capacity to use integrated pest management strategies, including
the use of race-non-specific (or horizontal) resistances,
the pyramiding of race-specific resistances, and the strategic
deployment of resistance genes; (c) facilitate the
strategic use of a range of varieties; (d) explore and, in
appropriate circumstances, make use of decentralized and participatory
plant breeding strategies to develop plant varieties specifically
adapted to local environments; (e) make use of modern
biotechnological techniques as feasible, to facilitate broadening
of the genetic base of crops. 185. Research/technology:
Support efforts to identify those activities used in plant
breeding, plant research and farming systems that foster on-farm
diversity. Such research might include a review of non-homogenous
farming systems such as those based on intercropping, polycropping,
integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient management,
for their possible wider applicability, as well as research
to develop appropriate plant breeding methodologies. 186. Support should
be encouraged for developing improved tools and methodologies
for assessing genetic vulnerability and identifying, if possible,
the ideal equilibria in crops between genetic uniformity and
diversity consistent with practical, technical and economic
considerations that sustain ecosystems. 187. Administration/coordination:
The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,
or an appropriate subsidiary body designated by the Commission,
should be regularly informed of the state of diversity in
collections and breeding populations of major crops of significance
to world food security. The Commission should make such information
available to other relevant intergovernmental bodies such
as the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, the International Plant Protection Convention,
and the Commission for Sustainable Development. 188. This activity
is closely linked with: |
