Conservation of tropical plant genetic resources: In situ approach

Abstract

The available national and international plant genetic resources related agreements recognize the sovereignty over their genetic resources. The onus to conserve (using both ex situ and in situ approaches) and use them rests with countries and current agreements stress the importance of equitable sharing of these resources and technologies related to their utilization. This chapter focuses on the in situ conservation approach. Here we deal with the definition of and conceptual basis for in situ and on-farm conservation, role of in situ conservation, factors that shape crop genetic diversity, need for in situ conservation and its role in overall efforts to conserve plant genetic resources, its relevance at local and global levels, impact of climate change on in situ conservation programmes and appropriate needs and opportunities for implementing community driven in situ conservation programme. Conserving crop genetic diversity is important paramount for food and nutritional security, in addition to other needs for medicines and fibre etc., of the present as well as future generations especially with the changing climate. Central to these issues, is the recognition that if crop genetic resources (including landraces) are to be conserved successfully and sustainably on-farm, such an outcome should be the result of farmers' production activities directed to improve his/her livelihood (conservation through use), as no conservation of diversity can be successful if removed from the people that need it. This means that on-farm conservation efforts must be carried out within the framework of farmers' livelihood needs, and for that reasons, the mobilization of support to on farm conservation need to be conceived and designed within the broader objective of creating a more enabling environment for agricultural development in its various aspects. Since the time that the Convention on Biological Diversity provided a general framework for ex situ and in situ conservation strategies, most agencies dealing with plant genetic resources conservation have been facing the dilemma of how to implement in practical terms in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity. Major challenge is difficulty in changing the mindset of current plant genetic resources institutional set up. Institutions and researchers need to work closer with farmers and communities as the successful on-farm conservation of crop diversity demands not only to provide incentive for conservation but also empowering them in self directed decision making. A programme must establish a strong relationship between all the different large multidisciplinary institutions and local farmers. Too often, local organizations are ignored and the needs of communities are not addressed. Future development should work on understanding the concerns of local farmers and creating awareness on why genetic diversity and gene/allele combinations in the form of landraces should be important to them. We need to better understand how farmers value crop diversity and how they exchange varieties within and between communities. Once these problems are fixed, in situ conservation programs can successfully protect diversity while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of farmers. Even though genetic basis of on farm conservation is not very clear (work is underway), serious efforts on in situ conservation of crop genetic resources would only lead to a win-win situation, i.e. conserving and using crop genetic diversity for the benefit of those who depend on it. In addition, it can help us to contribute to environmental health through its contribution to ecosystem functions in general. Gradually over the decade many researchers agree that in situ conservation is important and feasible but difficult as it does not fit the scheme of things in a formal sector research and development plans. So when presented the option of conserving plant genetic resources easier option i.e. ex situ conservation is chosen neglecting in situ approach. This needs to be corrected and this can only happen when the mind set of researchers is changed and when communities actually get to make decisions that directly affect them. In many ways it is also important to note that on-farm conservation per se is not a panacea on its own as it is neither recommended as a universal practice nor a feasible method in all circumstances; it has a place and time, as on-farm conservation can be transient and subject to change over time and that provides the major link with ex situ conservation and both approaches complement each other. It is important to see that conservation is a kind of spectrum extending from strictly in situ to completely static ex situ and that it is possible to have various degrees of ex situ and in situ in our efforts to conserve genetic resources.