Biological Diversity in Food and Agriculture

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Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

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Crop genetic diversity

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are the biological basis of world food security and, directly or indirectly support the livelihoods of every person on earth. They comprise the diversity of genetic material contained in traditional varieties and modern cultivars, as well as crop wild relatives and other wild plant species that can be used now or in the future for food and agriculture. Broadly defined, plant genetic resources for food and agriculture include resources which contribute to people’s livelihoods by providing food, medicine, feed for domestic animals, fibre, clothing, shelter, energy and a multiple of other products and services.

Throughout history, human beings have used thousands of plant species for food, many of which have also been domesticated. Today only 150 plant species are cultivated, 12 of which provide approximately 75 percent of our food and four of which produce over half of the food we eat. This involution has increased the vulnerability of agriculture and impoverished the human diet. As a result, many local crops that have traditionally been important for feeding the poorest sectors of society are now under-utilised or neglected.

FAO and crop genetic diversity

State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. FAO’s first Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources was prepared in 1996. It is an analysis of more than 150 country reports, identifying a number of serious gaps and inefficiencies in the conservation and utilisation of these resources.

The Global Plan of Actionfor the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was adopted by 150 countries at the Leipzig International Technical Conference in 1996 and subsequently endorsed by the FAO Conference and the Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It contains a set of recommendations and 20 priority activities that have grown out of the State of the World Report. These activities are grouped into four theme areas: in situ conservation and development, in situ conservation, use of plant genetic resources, institution and capacity building.

The Global Plan of Action is intended as a framework, guide and catalyst for action at community, national, regional and international levels. It seeks to create an efficient system for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources through better co-operation, co-ordination and planning and through the strengthening of capacities.

World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources (WIEWS) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, has been established by FAO, as a world-wide dynamic mechanism to foster information exchange among Member Countries. This is achieved by gathering and disseminating information on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and through its function as an instrument for the periodic assessment of the state of the world's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. It includes databases of national plant genetic resources information, a global network of country correspondents nominated by governments and a document repository. Seed Information System is a tool supporting seed exchange, which is now being incorporated into WIEWS.

For more information please visit the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Seeds and Plant Genetic Resources Service of FAO, and the FAO's Plant Protection Division.