News

Crop diversity in the Pamir Highlands

26.04.2017

The Public Organization “Environmental Consultancy”, jointly with the Pamir Eco-Cultural Tourism Association, will conduct a course on biocultural diversity, focused on the centennial of geneticist Nikolay Ivanovich Vavilov’s expedition to the Pamir Highlands to explore the links between genetic diversity of crops and human cultures, on 2-10 August 2017 in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), Tajikistan. The deadline to apply to participate is 30 June 2017.

Nikolay Ivanovich Vavilov was one of the earliest scientists to realize that wild genetic diversity could be lost through genetic erosion, reducing the possibilities for future crop improvement. His expeditions around the world identified centres of crop diversity and evolution, and his theories direct present-day global activities in plant science, breeding and conservation.

The objective of the course is to introduce participants to the potential genetic and biological diversity of the Pamir Highlands of Tajikistan, which was one of the areas of interest of Vavilov’s expeditions in 1916 and 1924. While traveling in Western Tajikistan, Vavilov recognized that the Pamir Highlands were a significant centre for crop evolution. In his time, Vavilov noted nine wild species of onions growing there, with many heirloom cultivars grown in fields, gardens and orchards. He also realized that the hardy, short season grains developed in Tajikistan could be valuable for broadening the diversity of and providing hardiness to the wheat produced in his homeland in Russia, which was vulnerable to cold, dry weather.

The course’s main programme will cover the routes of Vavilov’s expeditions to the Pamir Mountains in 1916 and 1924, including:
• Research work on Vavilov’s life and his expeditions around the world;
• Biocultural diversity and traditional knowledge of the local peoples in agriculture;
• Introduction to the world’s genetic resources and origins of domestic crops.

During the nine-day course, participants will have a chance to travel through the Pamir Mountains, Wakhan and Murghab, with their many unique natural, cultural, historical, archaeological and ethnographic sites. The programme will also take participants through parts of the Tajik National Park “Pamir Mountains”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013.

Those interested in participating should submit an application with the following materials:
• A short CV with a list of publications, preferably related to the topic of the course;
• An abstract from one’s own research on Vavilov’s biography, life and expeditions around the world, especially to Central Asia and other mountainous areas;
• A poster (draft version) for a presentation.
Applications may be sent to the organizers at [email protected] and [email protected] by 30 June 2017.

Read more 

Photo: FAO/Marc Vaillant