The Agrobiodiversity Framework for the Asia-Pacific Region

The Agrobiodiversity Framework for the Asia-Pacific Region

The Way Forward for Managing Agrobiodiversity for Sustainable Agriculture in the Asia-Pacific

Region

Suwon Agrobiodiversity FrameworkSuwon Agrobiodiversity Framework

• The agricultural biodiversity research and development framework for Asia-Pacific

• Adopted during the ”International Symposium on Sustainable Agricultural development and Use of AgB in the Asia Pacific Region,” held from the 13-15th October 2010, Suwon, Korea

• Endorsed by APAARI

Agrobiodiversity … more than just CropsAgrobiodiversity … more than just Crops

Genetic variation used in agriculture: Plants / crop Trees (and forest) Livestock / Animal Fish Wild relatives of crops Micro-organisms (e.g. soil microbes) Invertebrates (Pollinators, natural

enemies)

…… in agriculture

Biodiversity

Biodiversity affected by agriculture (unmanaged ABD)

Agrobiodiversity (managed)

Law & Policy of Relevance to the Management of Plant Genetic Resources - 2.5.9

Centres of Diversity

46 countries & territories46 countries & territories

The Asia, Pacific and Oceania (APO) Region: Centres of Diversity

Diversity and Green RevolutionDiversity and Green RevolutionSuccess of agricultural

research & Green Revolution

Food security Simplification of agricultural systems

Bulk of global agricultural production

Fewer species

Fewer varieties

Loss of crop

diversity

• Classic view, as source of traits and improvements

“Breeding new varieties and their dissemination to

farmers.”

Importance of Agricultural Biodiversity

Importance of Agricultural Biodiversity

…. More than Breeding…. More than Breeding

Under-recognised

• Adaptation to stress• Nutrition and health • Resilience and stability• Income: linked to markets• Socio and cultural dimension

Integrated Systems ApproachIntegrated Systems Approach

• The framework aims to provide a strategic approach, towards the sustainable management and use through regional collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders.

• It brings together work on microbes, crop plants, forest trees, livestock and fish genetic resources.

• It builds on current partnerships and eco-regional experiences involving national and international organisations and for integrating partnerships across the different sectors of genetic resources.

Focus of Research and DevelopmentFocus of Research and Development

1. Studies to enhance use of genetic resources through sub-set approach

2. Pre-breeding and participatory breeding work

3. Strategies and technologies to enhance in situ and ex situ conservation through use- Aim is to generate and synthesise coherent messages with appropriate information and knowledge, evidence and tools which can contribute to the understanding of genetic diversity and its effective use, (i.e. incorporation of ICTs, empowering biodiversity custodians, market oriented approaches, com-based conservation etc.)

Focus of Research and DevelopmentFocus of Research and Development

4. Assessment of the AgB richness and status relative to economic, social and cultural factors

5. Interdisciplinary studies on the invaluable ecosystem services for agricultureEcosytem approach……Satoyama initiative

6. Information systems and tools for data exchange

7. Supportive policies, laws and strategies to enable enhanced exchange and use of genetic resources

Areas of Regional CollaborationAreas of Regional Collaboration

1. Developing national AgB plans and integrating them into regional and global collaborative frameworks

L.Guarino 2. Increasing R&D collaboration on AgB conservation and use in the region

3. Improving sharing of information and data on genebank collections

Open source system ….Genesys

Areas of Regional CollaborationAreas of Regional Collaboration

4. Strengthening AgB capacity, education and public awareness

L.Guarino 5. Enhancing exchange and use of genetic resources

6. Role of stakeholders in strengthening AgB conservation through use

CRP activities on GR integrated into national, regional and global strategies

Moving Forward with the FrameworkMoving Forward with the Framework1. Encourage national systems to

adopt the Framework in their national agrobiodiversity workplans (Think regional, act local)

2. Encourage donor/funding organisations to use the Framework as basis in supporting initiatives on agrobiodiversity

3. Strengthen capacity of subregional and crop GR networks to follow through the Framework

Moving Forward with the FrameworkMoving Forward with the Framework4. Develop regional collaborative

projects based on the Framework

5. Catalyse national systems in enhancing their breeding programmes through the use of germplasm

6. Support activities that promote the use of underutilised crops

Thank You…Thank You…