Genetic resources
Genetic resources for food and agriculture are the biological basis of world food security and, directly or indirectly, support the livelihoods of every person on Earth. They are the raw materials used in the production of new cultivars and breeds and are a reservoir of genetic adaptability that acts as a buffer against potentially harmful environmental and economic change. Erosion of these resources poses a severe threat to the world's food security in the long term.
The wide exchange of genetic resources between farmers, communities and countries is a crucial factor in maintaining viability, and in adapting to unforeseen developments and changing needs. In this context, the sustainable development of agricultural biodiversity must be understood both sectorally and cross-sectorally in an integrated and holistic manner, which takes into account biophysical and socio-economic dimensions.
