Target 9: Crop Diversity

70 Per Cent of the Genetic Diversity of Crops and Other Major Socioeconomically Valuable Plant Species Conserved, and Associated Indigenous and Local Knowledge Maintained

Theory and practice demonstrate that, with an appropriate strategy, 70% of the genetic diversity of a crop can be contained in a relatively small sample (generally, less than one thousand accessions). For any one species, therefore, the target is readily attainable.

For some 200–300 crops, it is expected that 70% of genetic diversity is already conserved ex situ in gene banks. Genetic diversity is also conserved through on farm management. By working with local communities, associated indigenous and local knowledge can also be maintained. Combining genebank, on farm, and other in situ approaches, the target could be reached for all crops in production, as well as major forage and tree species.

Other major socioeconomically important species, such as medicinal plants, could be selected on a case-by-case basis, according to national priorities. Through the combined actions of countries, some 2,000 or 3,000 species could be covered in all.

Useful Documents

Background paper for the implementation of Target 9: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops and other major socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, and associated indigenous and local knowledge maintained (PDF)

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UN Food and Agriculture Organisation
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO helps countries to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices to ensure good nutrition for all.

Explanatory Guide to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
This Guide is the sixth in a series on the implementation of particular international instruments and concepts. Its objective is to promote greater understanding of the Treaty's text and possible implications – to explain the text and some of the scientific, technical and legal issues around it.

International Centre for Underutilised Crops
The mission of the ICUC is to promote the use of underutilised crops for the benefit of humankind and the environment. ICUC provides expertise for tropical, sub-tropical and temperate crop development, in close collaboration with partners in 19 countries in Asia and Africa.

Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
The objectives of FAO regarding PGRFA are to ensure the safe conservation and promote the availability and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources, for present and future generations, by providing a flexible framework for sharing benefits and burdens.

Medicinal Plants Conservation Project - Egypt
Supported by UNDP and GEF, the MPCP aims “To eliminate the root causes of biodiversity loss and the threats to the conservation and sustainable use of wild Medicinal Plants in Egypt.” Their objectives include the creation of a National Strategy on the Conservation of Medicinal Plants.

Global Initiative for Traditional Systems (GIFTS) of Health
The Global Initiative for Traditional Systems (GIFTS) of Health was founded in 1993 with the aim of building partnerships at a global level between traditional health practitioners, scientists, educators and decision-makers, in order to improve the services provided to patients.

The Global Crop Diversity Trust
An increasingly unpredictable and changing climate, and a world population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, will place unprecedented demands on agriculture. Our mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide.

The Poverty / Conservation Equation
The Nature Conservancy increasingly recognises the need to take account of the links between poverty and conservation. Its summer 2006 newsletter presents a series of interesting and accessible articles, by respected authors, that discuss if conservation is relevant to the poor and vice versa.

People and the Planet
The People & the Planet website provides a global gateway to the greatest issue of our time: the future health and well-being of the human family as it presses ever more heavily on the natural resources of our planet.

Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener's and Farmers Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving

This book is a great read for anybody who might have an interest in plant breeding. The author starts off at a relatively basic level and explains using practical examples how plant breeding is performed using a number of well-established techniques and processes. It is highly informative.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

This book does not debate the value of Eastern or Western medicine but brings together Chinese herbal lore and Western scientific methods in a current, comprehensive treatise on the pharmacology of Chinese herbs. Covering 473 herbs, it records everything from the chemistry to the history of each.

Bass et al (2005) Reducing Poverty and Sustaining the Environment

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