INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

BIODIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURE Safeguarding Biodiversity and Securing Food for the World

International Day for Biological Diversity 22 May 2008 Biodiversity and Agriculture Safeguarding Biodiversity and Securing Food for the World  International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture © CGIAR Copyright ©2008,Secretariat of Convention the on Biological Diversity The designations employed theand part ofpart Secretariat the of Convention the on Biological Diversity concerning status legal the of any country, presentation of material publication inthis donot imply expression the of any opinion on whatsoever the This publication maybe reproduced foreducational or non-profit permissionwithout special purposes territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation the of its frontiers or boundaries. Convention would appreciate receiving acopy of any publications that document this as use asource. Gabba tapestry depicts scenes of everyday life and high, the intricately stitched and brightly coloured Measuring some two metres across and two metres Governmentthe of Pakistan. Nature of Museum Culture and CBD the to donated was that Pakistan from tapestry embroidered traditional a from extracts using designed been has booklet this of cover The from copyright the holders, provided acknowledgement of source the isSecretariat made. The the of Published by Secretariat the of Convention the on Biological Diversity. Citation: Secretariat of Convention the on Biological Diversity (2008). The views this The in views reported publication do not necessarily represent Biodiversity and Agriculture: Safeguarding Biodiversity and Secretariat of Convention the on Biological Diversity Securing Food for the World. those ofthose Convention the on Biological Diversity. For information, further contact: please Design & typesetting: EmDash Design &typesetting: Design Montreal, CanadaH2Y1N9 Quebec, 413 St. Jacques Street, Suite 800 E-mail: [email protected] in 2006 by 2006 in Phone: 1(514)2882220 Website: www.cbd.int Fax: 1(514)2886588 ISBN: 92-9225-111-2 World Trade Centre farming system. mixed traditional a of aspects different depict that logos five of set a in reproduced been also have tapestry the from extracts and Diversity, Biological for Day International the for poster a on full in reproduced been has tapestry The a farming landscape of Pakistan. the rich heritage of biodiversity and agriculture in Montreal, 56pages.

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References Glossary International Partnership: Promoting Good Practice and Promoting Partnership: International Experience of Exchange Preserving: While Conclusion Producing Recommendations and Biodiversity is the Foundation of Agriculture of the Foundation is Biodiversity Challenge Growing The in Biodiversity the Challenge: Stabilizing to Responding Century the 21st Beyond and for Agriculture Preface Introduction

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table of contentstable  International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture able agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to feed the world, the biodiversity,feed to preserve butalso to only not agriculture able theme on “Biodiversity and Agriculture” highlights the importance of sustain world the celebrates International the Day for Diversity.Biological This year’s Every year on the 22 May, to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity, by 2010. national andlevels regional global, atratecurrentthe ofbiodiversityloss the of reduction significant a achieve to themselves committed Earth, on life all makeantohistoric seeking contribution andalleviationbenefitto povertyto (CBD), Diversity Biological Conventionon the to Parties the AprilIn 2002, much as background 1,000times rates typical of Earth’s history. byas aregoingextinct species rateatwhich the haveincreased resources, of driversofchange, including habitat climateloss, change andoverexploitation Human extinction. ratehundredspecies of humansyears the have increased few past the Over rates. unprecedented at diminishing is biodiversity But that grants us our own complex and diverse lives. in the 21 the tremendous variety of life on Earth. If the Earth’s population is to feed itself Preface by the Preface by the E xecutive S xecutive st century and beyond, humankind needs to preserve the biodiversity ecretary grown and depend is possible because of because possible is depend and grown have civilizations human which on food root of this plenty: the variety of crops and orchards brim with fruit. Biodiversity is the its while terraces; and valleys steppes, and plains its from harvested are grain of ties Vastquanti food. nourishing of wealth a produce planet our of ecosystems The

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Convention on Biological Diversity Biological on Convention Executive Secretary Executive Ahmed Djoghlaf biodiversity at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-9) in the(COP-9) of Parties the meeting the of ninth Conference at biodiversity 2008May that will amplify the importance of safeguarding biodiversity for local and levels. national the international, at agriculture of this booklet and the compilation of the related toolkit of materials. materials. of toolkit the related of this booklet the of compilation and The themefor theInternational Dayfor Biological Diversity coincides with in-depth review of the programme of on work agricultural the Convention’s development and implementation of the Convention as a whole and in particular particular in and whole a as Convention the of implementation and development aided has partnership This biodiversity. agricultural on work of programme its to drafting the in assisted as well as implementation, and evolution Convention’s the ecosystem approach. approach. ecosystem As a has leadingmade ato partner contribution themajor in FAO the CBD, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefitsarising from theutilization of on that including work, of programmes thematic resources—through genetic and through cross-cutting agricultural initiatives, including the biodiversity, tions to preserve biodiversity and the benefits it provides. provides. it the benefits and preserve biodiversity to tions three the Convention’s Partiesagreedto to implement The 190the CBDhave use, sustainable its objectives—the conservation biodiversity, of over-arching maintain sustainable agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well-being, well-being, human enhance and livelihoods, agricultural sustainable maintain solu possible offers and links the out bookletThis sets future. the in and now

© CGIAR  International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture Agriculture policies. To ensure food security, adequatenutritionandstablelivelihoodsfor biodiversity level planningthatensure thepreservation of sustainable andefficient agriculture, sustainableconsumption,andlandscape- all, nowandinthefuture, wemustincrease foodproduction whileadopting Agricultural need tobereduced. lasting economicandsocialbenefits.Barriersinhibitingitswidespread adoption Sustainable agriculture useswater, landand nutrientsefficiently, whileproducing Sustainable knowledge neededtomanageandsustainit. agricultural producers are custodiansofagriculturalbiodiversityandpossessthe provides andmaintainsecosystemservicesessentialto variety withinthem.Biodiversityinagriculturalandassociatedlandscapes Biodiversity to humanity, includingfoodsecurity, nutritionandlivelihoods. the production offoodandotheragriculturalgoodsthebenefitstheseprovide Biodiversity agriculture istheoriginofallcrops anddomesticatedlivestockthe isthebasisof butisalsoamajordriverofbiodiversity loss.Farmersand contributestoconservationandsustainableuseof producers respond toconsumerdemandsandgovernment Key Messages bothpromotes andisenhancedby agriculture biodiversity . Itsmaintenanceisessentialfor agriculture . biodiversity . .

InternatIonal Day for BIologIcal DIversIty · Biodiversity and agriculture 7 © sheila Zhao

introduction global conservation strategies. global strategies. conservation same time, since agricultural lands extend across such a considerable propor- considerable a such across extend lands agricultural since time, same conservation the biodiversity, cant signifi harbour and surface Earth’s the of tion partwithin agriculturalan biodiversity important inof play landscapes must jeopardy the sustainability of ecosystem services and agriculture, and their use sustainable and e conservation Th conditions. to changing to adapt ability of biodiversity is essential thefor the At future of agriculture and humanity. Countless other species contribute to Countless theother speciesessential ecologicalcontribute functions upon soil services cycling. depends, water including and which agriculture biodiversity is being lost an at alarming in putting rate, the Earth’s However, Biodiversity is the source of the plants and animals that form the basis of agriculture and the immense variety within each crop and livestock species. there is now a huge diversity of agricultural systems ranging, for example, from from example, for ranging, systems agricultural of diversity huge a now is there the in farms hill and Africa, of systems pastoral dryland to Asia, of paddies rice America. South of mountains Biodiversity has enabled farming systems to evolve ever since agriculture was was agriculture ever since evolve to systems farming enabled has Biodiversity rst developed some 10,000years ago inregions across theworld including fi Worldwide Andes. the and Mesoamerica, China, Guinea, New Mesopotamia, and raw materials for goods—such as cotton for clothing, wood for shelter and and shelter for wood clothing, for cotton as goods—such for materials raw and fuel, roots for medicines, and materials for biofuels—and with incomes and farming. subsistence those from derived including livelihoods, From the From products we buy to the food we consume, agricultural production life.is Agriculture an integral provides withhumans part food of everyone’s © anna Fabro  International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture (FAO1999). to meet their needsdietary and food preferences for an active and healthy life” times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food all at people all which as in situation Nations “a security (FAO) food defines the United of Organization Agricultural and The Food food. of stability and availability, access, adequate have to being human every for essential is It expectations of economically improving societies. to adequately decades growing the feed world population and rising the meet A major challenge be will to increase agricultural production over the coming form of livelihoodinmany regions today. livelihoods are the oldest mode of humans’ subsistence and remain the principal subsistenceand,or, fromonworkincome derived andproduce. Agricultural Agricultural livelihoods are based on the use of agricultural produce directly for efforts global to manage biodiversitybetter. root causes often lie outsidetheir control. Farmers and producers are in allies occur, not the does this Where generations. futurefor resources preserve to Generally, sustainabilitylandscapes. achieve managersto biodiversityaim of associated their and biodiversity manageagricultural producers agricultural As custodians of land and natural resources, including biodiversity, farmers and The global agricultural labor force agricultural includes global The a fourth (22%)of theworld’s population approximately about people, 1.3billion and (46%)of half thetotal labor force. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture  - -

Over million 826 people are chronically hungry; they need 100–400 calories more per day. 100–400 calories per day. more (FAO, “Building on Gender, Agrobiodiversity and Local Knowledge”) Knowledge”) Local and Agrobiodiversity Gender, on “Building (FAO, collective action among the countries and citizens of the world to halt the such of are that functions ecosystem in decline and biodiversity of destruction survival basic need human to The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with near universal member universal near with (CBD), Biological Diversity on The Convention for framework a comprehensive provides the world, around countries of ship responsible for its conservation and sustainable use; policymakers and citizens citizens and policymakers use; sustainable and conservation its for responsible dis equitable use and the sustainable ensure their do part needto to globally, in the future. and now resources of tribution status and activity, everyone must have sufficient protein, carbohydrates, fats, fats, carbohydrates, protein, sufficient have everyone must activity, and status micronutrients. and As we all use biodiversity and have ecological impacts on its use, we are all It is alsoIt essential everyonefor that the foods they eat meet their nutritional health gender, growth, of stage age, to according differ needs these While needs. 10 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture provided inTable I. material. Examples of agricultural biodiversity, at each level of biodiversity, are cycling of plant nutrients through the breakdown and decomposition of organic include earthworms temservices and that fungi contribute toavailability and agricultural production. Components at the levelspecies that support ecosys support that components those includes also and these, within breeds and varieties the and species, livestock and crop the includes This ecosystems). agriculture and that support the ecosystems in which agriculture occurs (agro- and food to relevantare levels—that ecosystem and species genetic, sity—at components biodiver of all includes that term a is biodiversity Agricultural underpinningthe of production. crops and livestock—and, through its role in ecosystem functions and services, of variation genetic and species agriculture—the of basis the both provides of column Biodiversity I. first Table the in provided is biodiversity of levels sity), andspecies, between of ecosystems. A description of each of three these plexes of which they are part, including diversity within species (genetic diver Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms and the ecological com Biodiversity inagriculture agriculture of foundationthe B one iodiversity is is iodiversity Of the 27,000 species of plants, higher Of the27,000species about in agriculture. 7,000are used (FAO)

- - - - © ICRISAT International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 11 © CGIAR - - - - - productivity. Many of these are now Many of these are productivity. maintained as distinct populations within agriculture. entirely The diversity of plants and animals animals and plants of diversity The from resulted agriculture in used biodiversity of management human pur medicinal and nutrition food, for domesticated example, For poses. chick sheep, cattle, include livestock spe crop of Examples goats. and ens, cabbage, banana, wheat, include cies nuts. ground and potato, sweet The diversity within species partly by farmers the selection from results based on specific traits to meet envi For and other conditions. ronmental example, many varieties of corn, or maize, have been developed based on traits such as taste, height, colour and The diversity of agro-ecosystems agro-ecosystems of diversity The agricultural both from results partly water and land non-agricultural and agro-ecosystems of Examples uses. systems, pastoral paddies, rice include cropping and systems, aquaculture ecosys broader the and systems based. are these which within tems be may systems these of Elements systems. mixed form to combined Agricultural Biodiversity ------each individual, or population, within of DNA the species. The expression into traits, such as the ability to toler facilitates adap or frost, ate drought tation to changing conditions. exists for plants, animals and micro organisms. Genetic diversity is the variation of genes for all individuals within a spe cies; it determines the uniqueness of lakes, and deserts. of morphologi A species is a group able that are cally similar organisms fertile off and produce to interbreed spring. A diverse number of species Biodiversity An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a func tional unit. Different types of eco systems include forests, grasslands, wetlands, mountains, costal areas, Biodiversity and agricultural biodiversity agricultural Biodiversity and

able 1.

T Genetic Level of Species Diversity Ecosystem

© UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme 12 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture breeding and adaptation. future enabling for resources invaluable be will parasites and pests diseases, to frost, high temperature, drought and water-logging, resistance to particular range ofenvironmentalwide a in toleranceconditions.traitsassuch Genetic society depends, has been their ability, with human selection, to adapt and thrive human which upon species livestock and cropmajor the of characteristic A and nutritious diet. This diversity among crops and livestock is also important to enabling balanced dry. too or cold environmentstoo extreme bar Earth, on zones eco-climatic fromborne human been settlement production and agricultural all almost in andenabled andoflivestock,both has diversity andvarieties, of crop species The use. sustainable and management proper on depends Itsconservation selection. natural and human both of result the is biodiversity Agricultural now and may future inthe draw upon. the genetic resources that farmers, livestock keepers, and other agriculturalists vated, and animals that have domesticatedbeen and reared, forms the basis of great The diversity culti and of plantsselected that have been over millennia lost eachmonth. these species. FAO data indicate that during the past six years, a breed has been production. In recent theredecades has alarming been genetic erosion within cattle, goats, sheep, buffalo and chickens—account for 90% ofglobal livestock species—including 14 than less and production food for domesticated been Of the estimated 15,000 species of mammals and birds, only some 30 to 40 have maize alone providing consumed energy about globally. dietary the half 90% of the world population’s dietary energy requirements, with wheat, rice and humans firstbegan farming. However, today, only 30 crops provide an estimated According to the FAO, about 7,000 species of plants have been cultivated since Adapting to change andmaintaining productivity Species andgeneticdiversity - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 13 - -

(Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium children are underweight.children are hese varieties are recognized as having value for sick children and children for sick value as having recognized are These varieties Worldwide, 32% of pre-school pre-school 32% of Worldwide, ties. More important, they contained 50 to 60 percent more lysine (a limiting amino acid in more to 60 percent they contained 50 important, ties. More than average. sorghum) nursing mothers. (www.bioversityinternational.org) Farmers’ knowledge of nutrition knowledge Farmers’ Farmers and often very of the nutritional properties of plants and local consumers are aware International Bioversity found that Ethiopian farmers identified at have crops. For example, than other varie protein more that contain about 30 percent of sorghum varieties least three foods, which are often more nutritious than modern foods traded on the global global the on traded foods modern than nutritious more often are which foods, being neglected forgotten. and are market, energy from refined carbohydrates (chiefly wheat, rice and sugar) and processed processed and sugar) and rice wheat, (chiefly carbohydrates refined from energy coun developing many in ever than cheaper currently are which oils, and fats tries. countries many In of the developing traditionalworld, and indigenous developed countries. developed The causesof malnutritionare complex,but highamong them is ageneral of their most deriving increasingly are people cities, In diets. of simplification diseases associated with malnutrition and inadequate access to food. the At type same time diseases associated such as with obesity, affluence, previously and developing in poor the among rise the on are disease, heart and diabetes 2 health problems in both developing and developed countries. developed and in both developing health problems One in three people worldwide, mostly women and children, suffer from crop diversity also contributes towards quality of nutrition which improves with with improves which nutrition of quality towards contributes also diversity crop vegetables. and fruits in particularly diversity, food greater of consumption the other and obesity malnutrition, against fight the to contribute can diets Diverse Diverse diets lead to better lead to nutrition diets Diverse and food security a wide across spectrum conditions, production well as natural enabling of As 14 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture immediate landscape agricultural and from adjoining landscapes. the within both from areprovided services Such production. agricultural to waters) (providing areirrigation essential andwater cycling rain as such ices thatservice provides food and other agricultural goods. Other ecosystem serv One of the most important forecosystem services humans is the provisioning conditionsthe for life necessary on Earth. Biodiversity underpins the provision of these ecosystem thatservices maintain and benefits provided Services ecosystemsby include:services. and goods ecosystem of variety a on depends planet the across species other (2005), hasto served emphasize that the health and well-being of humans and (MA) Assessment Ecosystem study,Millennium the global major recent A Enabling and sustaining agricultural production Ecosystem Services (Toledo and Burlingame 2006). the provitamin A content ranges from less than 1 to more than 8,500 μg/100 g varieties, banana different in and 60; of factor a by vary can varieties potato protein their contentcontent beta-carotene 14%; to from5 ofdifferent sweet contents significantlyvary between varieties. Different varieties of rice in vary crop, nutrient particular a Evenwithin diets. diversifying and base food the that can be used to increase food security and improve nutrition by broadening Agricultural ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity provide a diversity of foods • • • • habitat, production of atmospheric oxygen, and water cycling. Supporting services: cation and inspiration, and recreational and values; aesthetic and Cultural services: sion regulation, water purification, and climate control; and disease Regulating services: fresh water; Provisioning services: spiritual and religious values, knowledge systems, edu primary production, primary nutrient cycling, provision of flood, pest control, flood, pollination, dispersal,eroseed food, fiber, food, fuel, biochemical, genetic resources, and - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 15 - - he soil of just a square metre of metre The soil of just a square (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium increased more than sixfold. sixfold. increased than more ecosystem servicesecosystem grew significantly as the world’s population doubled to 6 doubled to population as the world’s billion people the global and economy Between 1960 and 2000, the demand for Between for 2000, the demand 1960 and Regulation of pests and diseases; pests and of Regulation matter; organic of decomposition as such cycling, Nutrient bacteria; in Nitrogen-fixing as conversion, and sequestration Nutrient retention; soil water and matter soil organic Regulating and biota; soil fertility and of Maintenance wildlife. bees other and by Pollination or example, ecosystems. For example, for the sustainable management of agricultural tant resources earthworms, termites and other burrowing organisms mix the upper layers, redistributing redistributing mix the upper layers, termites organisms and other burrowing earthworms, (www.fao.org/landandwater) infiltration. water nutrients and increasing Below-ground biodiversity: Why “dirt” matters “dirt” Below-ground biodiversity: Why contains one of the most diverse Soil is one of the most diverse habitats on earth and and as bacteria and fungi, such microorganisms including assemblages of living organisms, spiders. and ants, mites, as worms, such macro-organisms and the number and diversity of than 1000 species of invertebrates may contain more forest essen provide Soil organisms greater. in just one gram of soil may be even microorganisms impor therefore and are the sustainable functioning of all ecosystems, tial services toward • • • • • • At landscape scale, biodiversity-rich natural or managed areas (including forest, forest, (including areas managed or natural biodiversity-rich scale, landscape At landscapes agricultural within or adjoining woodland) and hedgerows wetlands, ecological servicesalso provide necessary agricultural production. for structure, composition and chemistry—andand structure, hence composition fertilityfor suitability and components. living both mineral and determined by particular crops—are One fundamental component of the agricultural system is the soil, whose Collectively, ecosystem services ecosystem include: agriculture to Collectively, 16 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture water bodies, providing incentives to protect the aquatic environment from aquatic the protect to incentives providing bodies, water hedgerows and fieldborders. Farming of aquatic species often occurs in natural as such areas preserve to incentives provides therefore Agriculture survive. to diversity habitat need pollinators as such agriculture by needed Species Incentives erosion control, carbon sequestration, and pollination. retention, moisture soil infiltration, water promoting and runoff, reducing removal, waste quality, water of maintenance as such functions ecosystem Managedsystemscontribute sustainably agricultural ecosystems, as wider to Delivery of ecosystem services How agriculture canpromote biodiversity Agriculture forBiodiversity landscapes form an integral of part human cultural diversity. humanandspirituality, for cultures,ecosystems recreation.and Agricultural birds, mammals and insects that have important non-agricultural significance Agricultural landscapes also provide habitat and food for wild animals, including exposure to chemicals or pollution. agricultural andparasites,and diseases sources, non-crop in food decline fragmentation, serious decline in populations of pollinators due to many stresses, such as habitat potentially a to points world However,aroundthe from evidence mounting andannually Vaughan, (Losey 2006). alonerangeUSA the billionupin $16 to pollination services valueofbee the economy. the contributesto Forof example, estimates service security,their food to contribute pollinators crop do Notonly pollination. crop of agents butterflies,bats, wasps,beetles, and hummingbirds, butbees arethe principal moths, flies, include pollinators of Examples manyofplantspecies. duction Pollinators help maintain the diversity of ecosystems by facilitating the ecosystems. repro by provided services valuable most the of one is Pollination Animals and insects pollinate approximatelyAnimals and insects 80% of angiosperms, which amounts80% of which angiosperms, to about 300,000flower-visiting species. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 17 - - systems on quantity of yield, has led to selection and breeding for high pro duction and the loss of traditional breeds that held other traits, qualities and lost. now adaptations, livestock wastes. The increased demands for feed puts increased pressures on pressures feed increasedputs for The increasedwastes. demands livestock cultivated systems, with consequently an increased demand for water and nitrogen, other fertilizers and other chemical inputs. Emphasis in modern Livestock production Livestock risethe on are systems so-calledproduction large-scale or landless, Intensive, site-concentrated of and feeds animal for demand both in increase an to leading natural areas, including hedgerows, woodlots hedgerows, wetlands, and to achieve including larger areas, natural scale production units large-scalefor mechanized production has also led to ecological services. and in biodiversity decline Land and habitat conversion to large-scale agricultural production, including including agricultural production, large-scale to conversion habitat Land and drainage of land and of wetlandsconversion has also caused significant loss of elimination with landscape farming of homogenization The biodiversity. of (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) treatments rather than mechanical methods. biological or crop succession or rotation; use of high-yielding varieties and hybrids with the the with hybrids and varieties high-yielding of use rotation; or succession crop loss traditional of varietiestogether with diversity a and need high for inputs diseases pests weeds, and based chemical of on fertilizer; inorganic control of high yields have led to a simplification of the components of agricultural systems systems agricultural of components the of simplification a to led have yields high include These systems. production unstable ecologically to and biodiversity and use of and elimination withdiversity of monocultures reduction in cropping How agriculture can reduce biodiversity can reduce agriculture How production Crop at achieving aimed to intensification modern practices approaches and Many tions have been gained and will continue to be gained through agricultural (www.fao.org/biodiversity) practice. for the conservation of a diverse range of genetic resources. genetic of range a diverse of the conservation for knowledge Ecological func and importance, its biodiversity, ecologyand of knowledge our of Much adverse impacts, for example from pollution and water diversion. The need for for need The diversion. water and pollution from example for impacts, adverse incentive an provides productivity in improvement for potential and adaptation 18 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture ably to a growing feed population and rising expectations. change, food production in the coming decades will need to increase consider Againstbackdrop the of declininga natural resource and environmentalbase by other components of biodiversity. agricultural draw upon the genetic diversity of crops and livestock and the services provided loss as well as a serious challenge to agriculture, whose response, to adapt, will ecosystems. Climate change is projected to become a major driver of biodiversity of the biggest drivers of ecosystem change in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal effluent,and farm is phosphorus,one fromfertilizers muchderived ofwhich and nitrogen of particularly Nutrientloading, agriculture. to landscapes ral habitatconversion, conversiondueto large part in ofnatural andsemi-natu been years 50 has past the biodiversityin The driver loss biggest terrestrial of to erosion the of biodiversity. production over recent decades have been achieved largely without major regard diversity,biodiversity, agricultural agricultural associated ofand in advances rateAnddespiteloss. importance of species specific crop of the livestockand loss the of biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, up naturalto the times 1000 Earth’s the to humanandto functioning society, humanare driving activities services ecosystem and biodiversity of importance fundamental the Despite Loss ofbiodiversityandecosystemservices CHALLENGE GRO THE two the global food system food wasable tothe global respond During the second half of half the20thcentury During thesecond (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture) to thedoubling of world population by more than doubling production. food W ING © ICRAF - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 19 © IRRI - © Pratt to be included in thein costefficiency of production; improvements sought; post-harvest losses reduced. and major contribution from large-scale intensive farming. Learning from experience experience from Learning farming. intensive large-scale from contribution major over production in advances the with negative—associated and positive —both need will environment the of value the sustainability ensure to decades, recent conversion and the intensification of agricultural systems. agriculturalof systems. the intensification and conversion increase neededThe significant in production global will require agricultural increase in population is above the rate of increase in the yields of the three cereals major (wheat, maize and rice) most needs.nutritional that supply To the to response thedate, increase in land of has demand been a combination 2000-2003, including 820 million in developing countries, 25 million in countries countries in million 25 countries, developing in million 820 including 2000-2003, 2006). (FAO in industrialized countries 9 million and in transition The years. 50 coming the in double nearly will crops feed and food for Demand mitment to liftThemitment people and malnutrition. povertyglobal from population the has pastover doubled 50 is and expectedyears to 9reach 2050. billion by in undernourished were people million 854 that estimates FAO Furthermore, Global demand for food is increasing considerably, driven by growth in world world in growth by driven considerably, increasing is food for demand Global population, dietaryby arisingchange from urbanization and increasing real incomes of households worldwide, and by the need and international com Population and economic growth Population 20 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture Biodiversity will provide an essential resource to meet the challenge—through The most importantcategories emissionsof agricultural are: of the total anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) (UNEP 2001). climate is significant. Global agriculture is estimated to account for about 20% global the on practices agricultural worldwide of impact cumulative the and confined livestock production, orfreshwater aquaculture in any particular year) areas in which at least 30% of the landscape is in croplands, shiftingcultivation, Earth’s land surface is covered by cultivated systems (defined bythe MA be to duction and is also now significantly influenced by agriculture. About 24% of the Climate is the most important environmental factor affecting agricultural pro Climate change, agricultureandbiodiversity and through maintenance the of healthy service-providing ecosystems. adaptation to changing conditions and enable production in diverse conditions; genetic diversity within crop and livestock species that will enable breeding and • • • • • • CO Use of nitrogen that fertilizers release nitrous oxide (N Methane emissions from ruminant livestock such as cattle; Methane (CH and land; Carbon dioxide (CO deforestation and conversion the of wetlands,peatlands; especially Increasing land under cultivation by decreasing carbon including sinks, 2 emissions from farm machinery, facilities, processing and transport. about 70%of nitrous mainly oxide gases, anthropogenic methane emissions and agriculture and nitrogen use. fertilizer from theconversion land to of new 4 Agriculture accounts for 44%of ) emissions from cultivation; rice (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) 2 ) emissions from burning forests, crop residues, 2 O); and - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 21 - - - urthermore, the the urthermore, F BD 2007B). 2007B). BD C emissions in the emissions 2 (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium 20% of CO20% of changes, mostly deforestation. mostly changes, 1990s originated from land use land from 1990s originated emissions and so, in helping to mitigate climate change, contribute indirectly to to indirectly contribute change, climate mitigate to helping in so, and emissions G H emissions from wetland conversion and deforestation ( deforestation and conversion wetland from emissions G G H G Changes in water availability; in water Changes stress; heat to in exposure Increases diseases; agricultural pests and of in distribution Changes rains; intense the soil during from nutrients of leaching Greater rainfall; and and wind stronger to due soil erosion Greater flooding increased others. and in regions in drier wildfires frequent More tion of of tion with the energy consumption and emissions from mechanical farm operations and industrial industrial and operations farm mechanical from emissions and consumption energy the with food from land of redeployment the and benefit; carbon net no or limited be may there plant, short commodity to contribute could production fuel grain—into of production—particularly elsewhere. land on pressure increased and prices food higher ages, the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, crop production for biofuels, as for other pur other for as biofuels, for production crop addition, In biodiversity. of conservation the impacts beneficial directly have also can practices agricultural sustainable good, using poses, have may planning and methods agricultural unsustainable of use However, biodiversity. on increased and water, of pollution habitat, of loss the through example for impacts, adverse net irrigated in used that to addition in processing, industrial in consumed water of volume large cases, some In impacts. socio-economic and environmental negative have also may systems pportunities and potential pitfalls pitfalls and potential Opportunities Biofuels: reduc net a to contribute can biofuels liquid of use and production the that indicate Models • • • • • • agricultural activities through a number of factors, including: factors, of a number agricultural activities through Climate change poses a serious challenge to agriculture and is expected to affect affect to expected is and agriculture to challenge serious a poses change Climate from natural lands into cultivated systems, especially deforestation (FAO 2007). (FAO deforestation especially systems, cultivated into lands natural from region. Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions can be generated by changes in in changes by generated be can important emissions gas greenhouse of particularly One Reductions use. region. land in changes or changes use systems land of production amount the agricultural decreasing is emissions carbon mitigating of source Agriculture can also play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions emissions gas greenhouse reducing in role important an trees. play also can including crops, in Agriculture and soils in carbon and of type use storage and land by sequestration considerably through varies carbon sequester to potential physical The 22 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture hydrological ecosystems. and cycles, fragile would be serious, including loss of biodiversity and disruption of carbon sinks, potential for crop cultivation, environmental consequences of forest clearance significant has regions some in forestland Although costs. development and environmental substantial but with America, South and Africa in possible is forexists many andlandwatercountries with scarcity. Major expansionland cultural land is ample to meet future world food needs, but profound concern Potentialsoils. orsteep ofor poor too coldoragriculture,agri dry too being crop from land global of three-quarters exclude constraints Environmental cultivated, continued opportunities for expansion are marginal. sionofcultivated areas. Globally, well-suitednearly since all currentlylandis expan the on mainly relycontinue to productivity of levels low persistently converted was in areas of high biodiversity. Furthermore, some countries with land the of that much reported has Assessment Ecosystem Millennium The long-term ingthe sustainability productionof agricultural 2006). itself(CBD levels of biodiversity andover ecosystem significantservices areas undermin reduced havesavannas and substantially forests, sub-tropical andgrasslands Over the past 50 years, patterns of agricultural expansion especially into tropical Agricultural expansion to enabling adaptation to changing conditions through breeding. Genetic diversity within crop and livestock species will be an invaluable resource weather extremes, retarding production. and events rainfall of variance spatio-temporal increased loss—and and age It will lead to an increase in extreme weather events—and potential crop dam agro-climatic zones, requiring geographic changes in crops and varieties grown. of land suitable for agriculture. It lead will to shifts inthe boundaries between and changes in rainfall, and this in turn will modify the extent and productivity agricultural production gains. Global warming will lead to higher temperatures ous food security consequences, while developed countries could see significant Many developing countries could lose over a fifth of crop production, with seri Deforestation inthetropics and sub-tropics leads to a reduction in regional rainfall. to rainfall. inregional areduction leads (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) - - - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 23 - (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium worldwide agriculture. used for Water withdrawals from lakes withdrawals and from Water rivers doubledrivers 1960, with since 70% to invest in water storage, improve productivity of existing irrigation schemes schemes irrigation existing of productivity improve storage, water in invest to and the efficiency of their anduse toofsupplementwater, rain-fed systems harvesting. water through future expansion of irrigation will be irrigation limited. of expansion future achieve the increaseTo in production needed, it will therefore be necessary absolute water scarcity. With that scarcity, and with the competition from rap from competition the with and scarcity, that With scarcity. water absolute for available the water urban populations, industrial sectors and idly growing irrigated agriculture in developing countries is not expected to increase and However, water scarcity iswater becoming acute in of the much world. developing However, According to the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, approximately 1.2 billion people now live in river basins with production. Currently, about 70 percent of all fresh withdrawals—and water production. Currently, for demand and usedagriculture for countries—are in developing 85 percent uses, rising. is non-agricultural both agricultural and for water, growing population over recent decades would not have been possible. To meet needs,growing leading and with change to climate rising uncertainties in rain-fed agriculture, irrigation will be increasingly important to increase Theproductivity of irrigated land is more than double ofthat rain-fed land. world’s the fed have that output and yields in increases the irrigation, Without countries (Fischer et al, 2001). 2001). et al, (Fischer countries Water Intensification of agriculture will be the main means to increase food production production food increase to means main the be will agriculture of Intensification developing in yields crop increasing for scope considerable remains there and 24 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture by crop and livestock production, also raise the overall level of biodiversity biodiversity of level overall the raise also production, livestock and crop by includingenvironmental corridorslandscapes thatin havetransformed been use, land of mixes Beneficial practices. sustainable develop and ecosystems edge and scientific research, can blend improvedknowledge about agricultural Agro-ecological forms of intensification,based on local andtraditional knowl 2003). (Bruinsma, 71% to amounted land existing on yields in increases whereas 29%, only production crop increased systems cultivated of expansion 1961–1999, of period the over countries developing all for that highlighted Assessment Ecosystem Millennium The agriculture. sustainable building to investment a good wayis sound ecologically an in systems agricultural of Intensification efficiencyIntensification andimproving other inways goods agricultural that are increasingly sustainable. and food for demands rising meet to production agricultural increase to be health and well being of all species on andEarth, mankind. The challenge will significantconsequences hasthe for services ecosystem in decline associated environmentaloverall oftheir The loss resulting impacts. of biodiversity and consideration full without practices and technologies agricultural of use the and expansion agricultural growth, population including change of drivers Today,pressurethereanincreased is onbiodiversity fromand directindirect S CHALLENGE THE RES three for the 21st C tabilizing Biodiversity in A P TOONDING entury and Beyondentury © ChrisGibb griculture

- © ChrisGibb International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 25 frica and and frica A © CGIAR inally, the new biocide is environmentally benign: It It benign: environmentally is biocide new the inally, F cientists identified a strain of fungus that grows naturally, is deadly to both pests, pests, both to deadly is naturally, grows that fungus of strain a identified cientists he fungus, a living organism, can be stored for up to a year without refrigeration— without year a to up for stored be can organism, living a fungus, he S T

and livestock; and of especially knowledge indigenous of use and for appreciation Greater environment. the and livelihoods improve help could that crops neglected More rational and efficient use of nutrients, water, space and energyand inspace all water, nutrients, of use efficient and rational More systems; land-use conservation; water and soil for measures effective More nutrients; of recycling Greater crops of yields maintain and raise to resources biological Better use of does not damage other insects, plants, animals, or people. (www.ecoagriculturepartners.org) people. or animals, plants, insects, other damage not does atural biocides in West Africa Natural biocides in West across damage crop in dollars of millions cause grasshoppers and locusts Desert combat to used been have that insecticides Broad-spectrum suffering. and hunger widespread small and birds insects, beneficial kill also and people to dangerous often are pests these mammals. traditional over advantages several with biocide commercial new a of basis the forms now and three least at to compared application one only requires it but similar, is cost Its insecticides. others. for countries. tropical in advantage distinct a

• • • • • Sustainable intensification measures include: measures intensification Sustainable in agricultural landscapes. represent aThese approaches growing portion of efforts. intensification land cultivated

© Chris Gibb 26 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture both economicboth and costs. ecological can significantly help to improve efficiency of water use—and help to minimize water,ofdistributionand applications,of delivery volumethe used total and in the soil. In irrigated systems, greater precision over the timing and frequency cover cropping and mulching can increase infiltration and moisture retention rain-fed cropping systems, various soil management practices, inter-cropping, including supporting jeopardizingservices, the sustainability of agriculture. In flows, this can change the ecosystemservices provided by the connected system, tion. When agricultural activities change the quality, quantity, and timing of water excessive use of water often decreases water quality and increases landsaliniza required.Inappropriate be watermanagement will agricultural ments in and In order to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner, improve Use of Water cultural diversity, are anintegralcomponentofecosystems. interactions amongorganisms andtheirenvironment.Itrecognizes thathumans, withtheir on levelsofbiologicalorganization which encompasstheessentialprocesses, functionsand equitable way. Itisbasedontheapplicationofappropriatescientificmethodologiesfocused of land, water andlivingresources andsustainableuseinan thatpromotesconservation Biological Diversity. The “ecosystem approach” framework foractionunder the Conventionon istheprimary resource management The ecosystemapproachtonatural freshwater eutrophication was estimated to be $105–160 million per year inthe1990s. per $105–160million be In and England Wales thedamage costs of The ecosystemapproach isastrategy fortheintegratedmanagement (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 27 - Inter or multi-cropping ecycling crop and animal wastes ecycling • R o-till or minimum tillage agriculture • N • crops over • C Mixed farming systems Integrated pest management • agriculture rganic • O • as legumes fertilizers such rganic • O rop rotation • C xamples of sustainable agricultural Examples of sustainable agricultural practices and methods ing way, preserving resources for future years and future generations. future and years future for preserving resources way, ing Sustainable agriculture seeks to make use of nature’s goods and services and goods while nature’s of use make seeksto agriculture Sustainable reward socially and environmentally, economically, an in yields good producing will also be important in these and other farming systems. systems. farming other in thesewill and also be important systems sustainably Managing agricultural —for example the production of summer horticultural crops, in winter, under under winter, in crops, horticultural summer of production the example —for glass. theWhere feasible use and appropriate, of renewable forms of energy, wind and geothermal, including solar, and energy derived from farm wastes gained in the of energyconsumption in farm operations and the processing in this environmental within will be working delivery food. Important and of constraints, rather than in spite of them by creating artificial environments Use of Energy of Use can efficienciesalso be change, climate part action concerted combat to As of 28 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture (CIP-UPWARD 2003). sanctuary was famous. As a result, buffaloes were re-admitted tothe sanctuary disappearance of nesting habitats for some of the migratory birds for which the evicted. The result ofthis loss of herbivory wasthe growth oftallgrass andthe were buffaloes India, northern in sanctuary bird Bharatpur the in example, droughts.during For especially forrefugespecies, and sequestration, carbon runoff, reduced retention, moisture soil infiltration, water maintenance, ity biodiversity and thus help to sustain ecosystem including services, water qual maintain practices agricultural sustainable which in ways several are There versity inmind. ofbiodi levels three ofall broader impact keepingthe landscapes associated the within system production their manage should producers agricultural Within the context of unique site specific conditions and levels of biodiversity, Sustainable management agricultural aims to: • • • the surroundingthe environment. inputs, non-renewable especially sources, there so is damage minimal to suchto sustainas, minimizing chemical other the ecosystem services, Minimize impact the of agriculture on environment wider the inorder tained; and Manage biodiversity insuch amanner that biological resources are sus water supply, and sanitation); that waterservices provides mitigation, (flood nutrientcycling, drinking using water efficientlymeans taking into consideration ecosystemother rate are they replenished that so resources are For conserved. example, Use water, land, nutrients, and other natural resources efficiently or the at ecosystems have and flows doubled Since 1960,flows of nitrogen in of phosphorus have tripled. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 29 - - he symbiotic relationship ensures that nitrogen from the atmos ensures The symbiotic relationship . Rhizobium (FAO. “Agriculture for Biodiversity, Biodiversity for Agriculture.”) for Biodiversity Biodiversity, for “Agriculture (FAO. to 18 times faster than it is being formed. formed. is being it than faster 18 times to Worldwide, soil is being lost at a rate of 13 13 of a rate soil lost is being at Worldwide, urthermore, once N is fixed Furthermore, a form the bacteria to the plant can use. is converted by phere in the plant tissues, legumes can be used as green fertilizer for other plants. legumes can be used as green fertilizer for in the plant tissues, egumes in agricultural systems: in agricultural Legumes of N-fixers The importance N in many soils, crop productivity limiting nutrient for increasing N) is the most As nitrogen ( very are important species in alfalfa and soybeans, as such fertilization is crucial. Legumes, with N-fixing a symbiotic relationship because they have sustainable agricultural practices, bacteria called tions to create a locally adapted system. system. a locally adapted create to tions agriculture uses a holistic approach to managing the cultivation system. It while biodiversity, soil as such health, agroecosystem consideration into takes the emphasizing use and regional and biodiversity of on-farm condi inputs, agricultural practice, such as livestock, fish farming or agro-forestry activities. activities. agro-forestry or farming fish livestock, as such practice, agricultural In a sustainable closed system,products theof each “waste” activity provide Organic produced. is food nutritious of range diverse a while others the to inputs Sustainable agriculturalSustainable practices seek to preserve species many for diversity food security. increasing and nutrition better providing including reasons, with typeanother of cropping mixed farming combine systems example, For to soilmaintain structure, reduce compaction and erosion and maintain the soil. of components living and organic silt and clay) and the crop or crops grown and thus differ from system to system. system. to system from differ thus and grown crops or crop the and clay) and silt soil, sandy a then aeration more much require will soil clayey very example, For tillage.whichneed not tillageNo-till may minimum or any agriculture helps Soil management practices influence soil volume, structure, biodiversity, and and biodiversity, practicesstructure, influence Soilvolume, soil management sand, of (mixture soil of type the to according vary practices Tillage chemistry. 30 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture influence of markets and consumers theirto contributions.maximize government policy, including that related to agricultural development, and the population. Farmers do not control all factors involved and need support from growing a of needs nutritional the meeting to contributing and biodiversity preserving both while conditions changing to adapt and changes ronmental envi adverse mitigate help to need Farmers considerable. is challenge The of ensuring conservation the and sustainable of use biodiversity. temsemployingatlevel, ecosystem approach, anecosystem objective key a is andensure arethat they sustainably Creating used. mixturea ofsys land use should serve to protect and restore critical ecosystems that provide such service provide, they such asinghabitat services the for pollinators. Policy objectives Natural areas within farming landscapes are conserved for many reasons includ incomes, andincreased foodsecurity. (www.worldagroforestry.org) provide feedback andencouragement. totry, practicesstrate forfarmers newtechnologies andsustainableagroforestry and then ICRAFstaffandnationalpartnersdemon best throughotherfarmers. learn that farmers spreads innovations incosteffectiveways. throughnetworks offarmers into coffeeplantationsorfoddertrees amongfoodcrops. system inwhich woody perennials are usedinproduction, such asintegratingfruittrees T FarmersAgroforestry: learningfromfarmers rees constituteanimportantpartofagriculturallandscapes. based pollinators increased coffee yields yields coffee pollinators increased based A study in Costa Rica found that Rica A study forest- inCosta by 20% within 1 kilometer of 1kilometer by 20%within theforest. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) These activitieshave improved soilfertility, diversified The World groforestry isaland-use Agroforestry groforestry Centre Agroforestry Their strategy is - - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 31 - - . in situ in and and ex situ ault” as the media have nicknamed it, aims to be the it, nicknamed as the media have ault” V conservation involves taking representative samples from their natural natural their from samples representative taking involves conservation orway, or the “Doomsday or the ault in Norway, mountainside, permafrost and thick rock will ensure that even without electricity, the vault the vault without electricity, that even will ensure permafrost rock and thick mountainside, vault the capacity to hold up to 4.5 million seed samples, With will preserve frozen samples. will eventually house virtually every every of almost variety important food crop in the world. (www.croptrust.org) Seed Banks: Preserving Diversity policy an insurance providing Genebanks conserve crops, of our most important varieties Global Seed the Svalbard in February Launched 2008, food supply. future for the world’s V ultimate safety net for the world’s most important natural resource. Constructed deep in a resource. important natural most ultimate safety net for the world’s evelopment Goals Development The Millennium Biodiversity Agricultural (MDGs) and for subsistence farmers, herders, livestock and hunger, poverty of chronic Under the burden leading ways, environment in unsustainable may use their natural est dwellers and fisherfolk and their livelihood conditions. Empowering and resources of land to further deterioration and biodiversity forests, waters, the poor and hungry and managers of land, as guardians sustainability (MDG environmental (MDG 1), reduction food security and poverty can advance 5 and 6). s 4, health (MDG 7) and improved to ex situ conservation. ex situ to collected and stored in controlled conditions at sub-zero temperatures for Plant world. the around facilities 1,500 some are There use. reproduction future accessions growing in botanical gardens and fieldgenebanks also contribute Exsitu habitats for preservation, off-site. Seed banksare an important partof this: seeds, genetic samples, varietiesof different and ecotypesofspecies crop are present and future. Maintenance of varietalof farm and is animal crudiversity Maintenance future. and present livestock and Crop generations. future and present foodthesecurity cialto of be can conserved resources genetic The conservation and sustainable use of distinct animal breeds and the varieties varieties the and breeds animal distinct of use sustainable and conservation The changing to adapting for insurance genetic provides crops, of relatives wild and and conditions, including to change, climate consumer needs and demands, Conserving Genetic Diversity 32 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture and creating livelihoods. hunger, reducing security, nutrition, providing food ensuring thus systems, provided communities with the ability to sustainably manage their cultivation knowledge required to sustain them. This local andtraditional knowledge has resulting cultivation systems vary greatly, but at the core of most of them is the The cultures. many of part integral an considered are food consuming and and on-farm for aspects key are practices and knowledge traditional and Local diversity. ers of biodiversity, use traditional toselection maintain crop local and animal suitable varieties for different conditions. custodiansFarmers, as and manag different races ofthe same cropallows farmers to crossbreed and develop new farmersadapt crops their changingto conditions Growing throughselection. toseek preserve genetic diversity within the agricultural landscape, as it helps systems farming traditional many within practices agricultural Sustainable properties. distinctive their developed have they which within landscapes farming the in breeds livestock and crops of populations viable maintaining Insitu, insitu on-farm,conservationof crop andlivestock geneticdiversity involves conservation. dailyThe activities growing, of collecting, preparing Dryland systems cover about 41% Dryland of theEarth’s land and more than 2 billion people inhabit them people 2 billion (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 33 - Asia and griculture recognizes in its in recognizes Agriculture ood and Food he “hot spots” of remaining diversity are now now diversity are of remaining “hot spots” The esources for Resources Genetic conservation of reaty on Plant on reaty T in situ Africa. (www.icarda.org) sia encompasses one of three mega-centres of crop diversity where wheat, barley, barley, wheat, of crop diversity where mega-centres Asia encompasses one of three rticle 9, “the enormous indigenous communities and farmers contribution that the local and Article 9, Farmer’s rights and benefit-sharing rights Farmer’s InternationalThe for the conservationwill continue to make made and have (...), of the world of all regions (...)”. Farmers’ Rights include the protection of and development of plant genetic resources in benefit-sharing and in national and the right to participate equitably knowledge traditional (www.fao.org) decision-making about plant genetic resources. enhancing productivity and sustainability of farming systems using low-cost technological sustainability of farmingenhancing productivity and technological using low-cost systems and alternative incomes. technologies activities to increase and through add-value packages DA genebank holds around 130,000 accessions of the ICAR Complementing these efforts, West dry from the and are of Central 60% of which areas and legumes, cereals North systems that form biodi But this remaining the basis of livelihoods for local communities. and the habitats destruction of natural over-exploitation, by versity is seriously threatened species. and introduced of new cultivars spread ICARDA and national developed by in situ conservation for effective was A holistic approach agrobiodiversity the livelihoods of the main custodians of the by improves that partners, Promoting dryland agrobiodiversity are globally important crops and domestication of many diversity of origin, The centres located in drylands and mountainous areas. farmingconfined to traditional systems and harsh environments. West the last 10,000 evolved over have trees legumes and fruit and many forage faba bean, lentil, farming still found within the traditional are relatives and their wild Crop landraces years. strategies of formal and informal trading networks, play an important role in role important an play trading networks, informal and formal of strategies resources. genetic conserving on-farm Seed supply has a major impact on usea farmer’s of crop genetic diversity. management seed their through communities, farming and farmers Individual 34 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture qualities ofeach. qualities the share that progeny in resulting climates temperate of breeds yielding high with challenges, and conditions local to hardiness with breeds, local crossbreeding by gained been have countries tropical improvements in yield decades recent In conditions. diverse in production enable to and wool, and meat milk, example for produce enhanced enable to centuries over breeding and selection through breeds of developed livestock have Characteristic been tolerance pests. to insect or resistance and diseases; bacterial and fungal viral, to resistance drought; and temperatures extreme salinity, soil as such pressures environmental of tolerancebreedingthrough programmes andyield; quality includeincreased qualities to create another that combines both. Traits that have been developed different with lines between out carried is breeding Cross traits. inheritable duceoffspring desirableeventually that and possess specific varieties races or plant controlled breedingClassical uses crossbreedingpro toof individuals Breeding climate-induced stresses. survive insurance to with providesfarmers also crops, ferentspecific of lines Diversification maintainingfarm, by on growing and different cropsdif and (FAO State of the World’s Animal Resources Report) Genetic these arethese threat under of extinction. Globally, there are of 6,500breeds domesticated animals, but 20%of - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 35 - - - - Africa Although nother example is the resist Another example his resistance makes the distinctive the distinctive makes This resistance and direct injection of nucleic acids, in vitro ombining the resistance genes of livestock from genes of livestock Africa. Combining the resistance reasures Key to reasures Key to (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium little known sheep breed kept by Maasai pastoralists in East pastoralists Maasai by kept sheep breed A little known ’Dama cattle to trypanosomiasis, a disease that prevents cattle pro a disease that prevents African N’Dama cattle to trypanosomiasis, countries and three quarters of rice area of three quarters and countries in Asia is planted with modern is planted varieties. in Asia frica often appear to be small and low-producing, they are supremely adapted supremely they are and low-producing, Africa often appear to be small Roughly 80% of wheat area in developing in developing wheatarea Roughlyof 80% livestock in livestock selection to survivethrough natural environments. in harsh is genetically resistant to intestinal worm parasites. worm to intestinal parasites. is genetically resistant high. is the worm challenge where to a region well adapted Red Maasai breed duction throughout vast areas of areas duction throughout vast ance of West West ance of developing countries with the production genes of developed-countrydeveloping countries with the production genes of could in livestock environments. (www.ilri.org) optimal animals for both tropical and temperate provide future T African Genetic Reducing Disease and Poverty worms a billion-dollar problem in fighting intestinal face over Sheep producers the world that infect their flocks. the modified gene, through crossbreeding, spreading to wildrelatives and disrupting ecosystem functions. to pests,to richer higherinproduce tonutrients, attrac yields, amore create to tiveproduct, andto last transportation longerfor to the market (CBD 2006). if GMOs are not properly testedHowever, before use, potential risks include which thus possess a novel combination of genetic material. GMOs used in agriculture, such as some corn, soybeans, canola, tomatoes, potatoes, and rice are modified for a varietyof reasons, such as to become moreresistant into cells or organelles that overcome natural reproduction and that are not techniques used in traditional breeding and selection. Modern biotechnol ogy can be used to create living or genetically modifiedorganisms (GMOs), Modern biotechnology uses species), genetic(fusion different of material from DNA recombinant as such Modern biotechnology 36 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture land, water and nutrients efficiently in ways that conserve biodiversity. agricultural producers at all levels of the food production chain will have to use other—positively and negatively. In order to conserve resources for the future, local markets, different components of the production system can influence each retailers have reconfiguredthe traditional method of farmersselling directly to reaches the end consumer. Because new links between agribusinesses and large to market. Many food production systems package and process the food before it Food production systems consist of growing, harvesting and getting the products The influenceofmarketsandtradeinagriculturalgoods and theenvironmentinalltheiroperations. tion takes responsibility foritsimpactoncustomers, employees, shareholders, communities done throughtheconceptofCorporate SocialResponsibility(CSR).iswhenanorganiza The developmentandadoptionofsustainablepractices andsystemsby companiesisoften Corporate SocialResponsibility(CSR) (www.cbd.int/biosafety) 2008,January 142countriesandtheEuropeanCommunityare PartiestotheProtocol. living modifiedorganisms andtoassistcountriesintheimplementationofProtocol.By also establishesaBiosafetyClearing-Housetofacilitatetheexchange on ofinformation decisions before agreeingtotheimportofsuch organisms intotheirterritory. tomake informed for ensuringthatcountriesare necessary provided withtheinformation biotechnology.from modern Itestablishesanadvance agreement(AI)procedure informed biological diversityfromthepotentialrisksposedby livingmodifiedorganisms resulting the Conventionknown astheCartagenaProtocolonBiosafety. In 2000, agreementto theConference ofthePartiestoCBDadoptedasupplementary The CartagenaProtocolonBiosafety The Protocolseekstoprotect The Protocol

- International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 37 - - - - armers’ markets allow farmersoped economies. Farmers’ to the public allow to sell their produce directly markets while the farmerswho gain from better quality and freshness CSA gain from higher prices. of creating an ecological food, agricultural and land continuum. (equiterre.org) agricultural an ecological food, of creating ) are growing in many devel Farmers’ and community-supported agriculture (CSA) are markets a group pledge to support local farmers, is a model of food production in which of people For used sustainably. plants and animals are including land, that resources who then ensure is promoting environmental Équiterre, in Canada the Quebec-based organization, example, and sustainable transportation, fair trade, through ecological agriculture, social responsibility is part in turn, CSA is part of its ecological agriculture programme which, efficiency. energy Community-supported agriculture sive consumption, especially of meat, by more affluent sectors of society—that of society—that sectors affluent more by meat, of especially consumption, sive benefits. environmental and both health benefits provide would Increases in overall demand for foodin Increases for overall demand could beexces reducing moderated by diverse diets, and both environmentally and socially acceptable production biodiversity. influence positively can markets how of examples are systems, of both their food choices and the relationship to changes in food production foodin production changes to therelationship and both theirfood choices of such as systems, increases in choices, packaging. such, through As consumer more products, organic for preferences towards Trends made. being are changes Taking into consideration nutrition and environmental impacts, including eco including impacts, environmental and nutrition consideration into Taking aware bemore to consumers for trend emerging an is there logicalfootprints, tion systems and increasedthe increasing example, their For mechanization. which systems, livestock landless or intensive by met being is meat for demand consequences. environmental negative many have are the key drivers of markets. In recent years, increasing demands among consumers in richer economies for more attractive-looking and high value foodproduc reorganized has thesedemands meet to desire the and products Consumption and Consumer Choice Choice Consumer and Consumption in food Consumers systems. an essential production are component Markets 38 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture tion to liberalization. trade and ecosystem into services national agricultural policies is a necessary condi in many production systems, a proactive approach of incorporating biodiversity from global trade liberalization, and as a result of higher pressures on biodiversity Because of the shift in geographical patterns of agricultural production expected such as subsidization for policies international commodities. createthat countries distortions, eliminationprotectionsofindustrialized in Banks’ stemming from agricultural expansion and intensification. As such,the World World Trade Organization, can contribute to easing the pressure on biodiversity Removing these subsidies, as mandated by the Doha Development Agenda of the profitable poor, exports, theand new paywho higher prices forfood staples. These policies hurt developing countries that could become efficient producers in few current biofuel programs that are economically viable (World Bank 2008). often behind high developed protectivetariffs and large subsidies resulting in has countries industrial in cropsforbiofuelsof Forproduction example,the tural and trade distort markets, but contribute also to overproduction. subsidies and other support measures that not only dominantly restrict agricul actually earned in agricultural markets, but comes from a range of government not average,is farmers’on of income, quarter oneover well progress, recent OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), despite the of countries In subsidized. and protected highly manycountries, in are, Because of their essential importance for food production, agricultural markets Trade Liberalization World Development Report 2008 between 2001and 2003averaged overbetween $324 billion annually,billion or one third the global agricultural sectors of sectors OECD countriesagricultural value of agricultural productsin2000. ofvalue agricultural Government to paid subsidies the (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) calls for full trade liberalization and the - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 39 - - - - conservation of agricultural including biodiversity (Bioversity International, 2002) International, (Bioversity in situ situ in become valuable commodities for the become valuable commodities for poor, who have used survive who have to them for poor, Neglected underutilized and species can centuries as subsistence crops in difficult crops as subsistence centuries and low-input production environments. production low-input and ness and marketing efforts, consumer demand and production can be stimulated. Bioversity be stimulated. Bioversity consumer demand and production can efforts, ness and marketing of tradi as the reintroduction such International projects with local partners, coordinates supermar including local markets, tional leafy green vegetables into Kenyan marketplaces, (www.bioversityinternational.org) and restaurants. kets, timulating markets, diversity and production Stimulating markets, or forgotten becoming vegetables are local and traditional In many developing countries, vegetables are Many of these forgotten crops.’ ‘world of mass-produced neglected in favour aware essential for daily nutrition. By education and through high in vitamins and minerals and and small farmers are integrated into the marketplace and that, particularly price. a fair they receive produce, sustainable for local, regional and international markets, leading their products to be margin be to products their leading markets, international and regional local, promote alized. To crops and livestock, it is important that marginalized agricultural products Linking Commodities to Markets Markets to Commodities Linking accessing difficulty have areas rural in communities indigenous and local Many 40 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture P INTERNATIONAL four biodiversity as well as importance the of it to livelihoods. their and communitieslocal to the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural The programme of work recognizes the contributions of farmers and indigenous for and food nutrition. three International Initiatives on pollinators, soil biodiversity, and biodiversity and awareness, mainstreaming), and increasing and building capacity ment, The programme is composed of four elements (assessment, adaptive manage benefits arising out the of utilization of genetic resources. of sharing equitable and promote fair to third, the and agriculture; and food promote the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of value for to second, ecosystems; other with interface andtheir agro-ecosystems in sity effects and mitigatethe negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiver aims,decisionV/5, COPfirst, the to adoptedin promote2000 in positive the The multi-year Programme of Work on Agricultural Biodiversity subsequently development of aprogramme of work on issue. this resulting in the COP decision III/11 on agricultural biodiversity that included comprehensive a in time first biodiversity for manner, the ofagricultural use CBD, the international community addressed the conservation and sustainable the to (COP) Parties the of Conference the of meeting third the at 1996, In The ConventiononBiologicalDiversity Promoting G E xchange of E ARTNERSHI ood Practice and xperience P © CGIAR

© The ompany LimitedofT ourism DevelopmentCompany - - rinidad andT obago International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 41 © CGIAR - gricultural Biodiversity, Agricultural Biodiversity, major challenge is now to bring together is now A major challenge t the technical level, a number of successful initiatives have been initiatives have a number of successful level, At the technical frican Pollinators Initiative. African Pollinators Initiative.

mentation and priorities for capacity building. Based on this assessment, at the international assessment, Based on this mentation and priorities for capacity building. agendas on in consolidating intergovernmental major progress has been achieved level, agricultural biodiversity. international to the three in the next initiatives (discussed especially with regard started, as the such section), Programme of Work on Agricultural Biodiversity Programme of Work and other partners FAO CBD Secretariat, the of the Parties, of the Conference At the request on Work of the Programme of jointly conducted the review have information (CBD 2007A). and synthesize the available P 9, including assessing progress made, barriers to imple including assessing progress made, at COP 9, is being considered which opportunities to apply the ecosystem approach and the Addis Ababa Principles Principles Ababa Addis the and approach ecosystem the apply to opportunities Use. Sustainable for Guidelines and of building upon and strengthening the programme of work as well as a means means a as well as work of programme the strengthening and upon building of biodiversity—and mountain and work—forests of programmes other linking of These initiatives, Initiative. such initiativesare as and the Global Taxonomic The CBD cross-cutting initiatives on biodiversity and biodiversity on The CBD cross-cuttinginitiatives agriculture means a are biodiversity and agriculture on initiatives cross-cutting CBD The biodiversity that will, among other things, encourage farming practices that not not that practices farming encourage things, other among will, that biodiversity biological enhance and degradation also arrest but productivity increase only biodiversity. agricultural sustainable on effects adverse monitor and diversity In related decisions, related theIn COP has also encouraged Parties to the Convention to develop national strategies, programmes and agriculturalplans regarding

© CGIAR 42 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture improve livelihoods their using holistic approaches. to farmers capacities of building on initiative This focuses capacity-building. agement, to share information, and to increase public awareness, education and by soil biodiversity across all production systems and its relation to land man Biodiversity aims to increase the recognition of the essential provided services and Sustainable Soil Conservation of The International Use the Initiative for conservation, restoration and sustainable of use pollinator diversity). promoteand impact; and taxonomicvalue economic information; the assess objectives of the initiative’s Plan of Action (monitor pollinator decline; increase Pollinators aims to facilitateof Use timely and coordinatedSustainable and effortsglobally to attainConservation the the for Initiative International The production in their farming systems(Mando production intheirfarming ter, toenhancetherestoration ofdenudedlandwithcrustedsoilsandenhanceagricultural processes,making use of termite-mediated together with mulch applications of organic mat can beusedby tomanage andcounteract landdegradationthroughtheirsoilbur farmers T T T civil societyorganizations are implementingvarious ofpollina programmesonconservation The KenyaPollinatorsInitiativecoordinated by theNationalMuseumsofKenyaisspearhead International Pollinator Initiative:Kenya community conservation ofhoneybees(CBD community conservation “Third NationalReports”). tors, such asHoneycare armers in BurkinaFasoandinotherareasrowing of andfeedingactivities.Farmers West ing theimplementationofactivitiesprescribed by theplanofaction. raditionally heldtobepests, canalsobehumanfriends. termites are thepredominantermites soilfaunaintheSahelandlivemainlyunderground. ermites improve soilfertilityintheSahel ermites improve There are over 25,000 bee species. There arespecies. bee over 25,000 Africa LimitedandBaraka Instituteof (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) et al. 2007). Agriculture thatare promoting They are aresource that The private sectorand Africa are - - - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 43 - FAO’s FAO’s International Plant Protection Convention Protection Plant International Fisheries Responsible Code for Conduct of Assessment Resources Forest Genetic Resources Plant on Treaty International Genetic Animal Resources for Action of Global Plan • • • • • issues for the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors and have negotiated new negotiated have and sectors fisheries and forestry agriculture, the for issues the: as such frameworks and instruments international development, improved development, nutrition,improved enhanced food security, and access to all life. healthy all and active time the food an at they people need for biodiversity complex with deal fora intergovernmental FAO’s level, policy the At tal organization, has been actively promoting the conservation and sustainable sustainable and conservation the promoting actively been has organization, tal decades. three than more for agriculture and food for biodiversity of use goal is to alleviateagriculturalsustainable povertypromoting by and hunger There can be no global food security without biodiversity. This is why the Food the why is This biodiversity. without security food global no be can There intergovernmen an (FAO), Nations United the of Organization Agriculture and griculture Organization The Food and A biodiversity and security food Linking to contribute to to achievingcontribute the Millennium GoalsDevelopment 1, 4, 6 and 7, its conservationof thereby raising theawareness importance of biodiversity, use. sustainable and security and Bioversity International, and human nutrition.improved FAO two leading partner organizations of the CBD are tasked with leading the initiative. Effortsfoodto linkandnutritionbiodiversity, issuesare expected TheInternational Initiative on Biodiversity forFood Nutritionand aims to food to contributing programmes in biodiversity of use sustainable the promote 44 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture and environment. (www.cgiar.org) forestry, agriculture, of fields policy the fisheries, internationalin Centres 15 and private foundations supporting the scientific research and related work of internationalorganizations ofcountries, regionaland partnership strategic a is (CGIAR) Research Consultative Group Agricultural International on The Research The ConsultativeGrouponInternationalAgricultural biodiversityagricultural into national and decision-making policy processes. ing best agricultural practices, disseminating information and mainstreaming FAO technical support and field activities focus on buildingcapacity, identify the fieldofplantprotection. skills, confidence. andfarmer IPMthushaslong-lastingsocio-economicbenefits farbeyond mental institutions, enhancingecological awareness, decision-makingandotherbusiness unitsandnon-govern andfieldstafffromnationallocalgovernment involve farmers ing pestproblemsandforparticipatinginthedevelopmentofsolutions.IPM programmes The IPMProgrammesimplementedin programme. NumerousIPMprogrammeshave beenimplementedindevelopedcountries. a policy change, such asremoving pesticidesubsidies, training participatory andafarmer Successful IPMimplementationatFAO hasthree components: applicableresearch results, Integrated pestmanagement(PM) derive fromplants.(www.fao.org/ag/cgrfa) animal andothergeneticresources, which includesaccessandbenefit-sharingtheeco use ofthebiodiversity. Recentlyitadopteda10-year Multi-Y Agriculture (CGRFA andsustainable policiesfortheconservation ) negotiatesinternational With more than170membercountries, theCommissiononGeneticResources forFoodand Policy-making ongeneticdiversityatF criteria offoodsecurityandinterdependence. Rights. Inparticular, theMultilateral Systemcovers alistofcropsestablishedaccording to as theMultilateral Systemon is developingsomeinnovative mechanisms andprovisions, withtheCBD, inharmony such Food and system approach. Inanotherexample, theInternational Agriculture isanewbindingagreement, with110contracting Parties. Access andBenefitSharing, aFundingStrategy orFarmer’s Asia stress fordiagnos theresponsibility offarmers These cropsprovide about80%ofthefoodwe T reaty onPlantGeneticResources for ear Programmeof Work forcrop, AO The T reaty - - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 45 P, the Through SGRP,

ogether these collections contain some T (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Ecosystem (Millennium roughly two-and-a-half times times roughly two-and-a-half Food production increasedFood production by (160%) between 2003. and 1961 Sustainable land management and production; and management land Sustainable Systems; Research Agricultural National Enhancing collection; and and improvement Germplasm research. Policy o build synergy and to ensure common policies and strategies around the collections, the around the collections, common policies and strategies and to ensure o build synergy 650,000 accessions of the world’s most important crops. most 650,000 accessions of the world’s Resources System-wide Genetic CGIAR’s T united. have centres programmes of the different 15 genetic resources and implementation of a made a commitment to support the development have centres Eleven of the thirteen CGIAR global system for the conservation diversity. and use of plant situ collections of crop diversity. hold ex centres Programme (SGRP) • • • • Some examples of the work of the international research centres of the CGIAR CGIAR the of centres research international the of work the of examples Some beenhave in presented sections.previous Other of the examples of thework below. provided are CGIAR working in over 100 countries, addressing every critical component of the agricultural sector. the private sector, the CGIAR fosters sustainable agricultural growth through through agricultural growth sustainable fosters the CGIAR sector, the private science food achieving aimed at sustainable security poverty in reducing and than more 8,500 scientistsCGIAR developing and countries. staffare Today In collaboration with national agriculturalcivilwith systems, national societyresearch collaboration In and CGIAR’s main areas of focusare: of areas main CGIAR’s 46 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture of for species this and food income and agriculture ingeneral. International the as focus Year Potato, ofthe importance the highlights 2008, mentofnatural andAndesresourcesothermountain the in areas. This year’s potato, sweet potato, other root and tuber crops, and on the improved manage basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on acronym, CIP) seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained Another CGIAR centre, the International Potato Centre (known by its Spanish International Potato Centre depend. they naturalresourceswhich on the conserve toand incomes, their boost to tion, nutriand security, improve to health food their achieve to byhelpingthem greater well-being of people, particularly poor people in developing countries, resilient and sustainable harvests. Bioversity International aims to promote the biodiversity,create resources,to morecultural genetic productive, especially andofsustainableagri conservation use onthe research activities andother supports and encourages It undertakes, people. poor of improvelives to the organization dedicated to the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity One of GGIAR centres, Bioversity International, is the world’s largest research Bioversity International applications. (www.bioversityinternational.org) new varieties benefits ofmore than$400/ha/yr, offerfarmers mainlyin reduced fungicide Since 1992, more than16,000hahave beenplanted.Economicanalysissuggeststhatthe hybrids (developedby FundaciónHondureña deInvestigación and testthemonbananafarms, communitiesandmarkets. trialized anddevelopingcountriestogenerate newenvironmentally-friendlytechnologies ity. Bioversity International’s bananaresearchers work withdiversepartnersinbothindus istomanagepestsanddiseasesmaintainsoilfertil offarmers An importantconcern Banana hybridsinCuba The greatestadoptionofFHIA grícola) hasbeeninCuba. Agrícola) - - - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 47 - - he future conservationThe future of these have been named Pallayponcho (multi- been named Pallayponcho have

he new improved native varieties also give also native varieties The new improved They he new varieties will add value to native potatoes and to native will add value The new varieties frica’s Masailands, wildlife have co-existed with livestock and their Masai with livestock co-existed have wildlife Masailands, Africa’s lages, which provide indirect protection towards predation. predation. protection towards indirect provide which lages, find stewards pastoral their traditional will depend critically on helping “last lands of Eden” Across East diversity of large the richest remains of humankind, the cradle in for millennia. Here, owners an has revealed research ILRI’s closely with the communities, Working mammals on earth. the Masai vil close by rangeland of diversity and density of wild ungulates in the increase while preserving out of poverty this unique ecosystem. (www.ilri.org) sustainable pathways Wildlife livestock interaction tional clothes. (www.cipotato.org) Potato blight Potato Peru. farming in the Chacllabamba CIP has been working community in Cusco, Since 2003, improved and identify two with the local farmers closely varieties screen to CIP staff worked to late blight. lines with resistance the income of farmingimprove communities. their ancestors. higher yields than those of the farmers after their tradi shawl) by a square lliclla, (red and Pukalliclla poncho) colored to meet the world’s changing circumstances. circumstances. changing meet the world’s to intensifying livestock systems of developing countries—changes in production, production, in countries—changes developing of systems livestock intensifying thefarm that diverse indigenous feeding,consumption—means and markets adapt timewhich in to little have world the developing of populations animal the natural resources on whichon theresources the natural poor directly depend.the natural Among accumulate people assets’ ‘living the are poor world’s the to important resources the within change speedof accelerating The animals farm their of form the in evolving challenges that the highly dynamic livestock sector is posing to poor to posing is sector livestock dynamic highlythe that challenges evolving developing in people help to is mission ILRI The environments. their and people Thechallenge countries is of topoverty. to out move do so while conserving International Livestock Research Institute Livestock Research International TheInternational Livestock ResearchInstitute (ILRI) addresses the rapidly 48 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture and human in peril. be wellbeing will future generations. If we fail in this collective challenge, environmental security and ecosystem services globally, we can feed the world and ensure resources for If humanity can create sustainable agricultural systems, preserving biodiversity rightin the direction. step importantan be will choices food of consequences the abouteducation have the right incentives to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Individually, consumers must do their part to ensure that farmers and agricultural producers and policymakers change, of drivers indirect and direct new of face the In manner ensuring that future generations have access resources. to these sustainable a in landscapes associated their andsystems manageagricultural to been always has challenge The agriculture. facilitate environments to and civilizations have used a rich diversity of wild species and modified landscapes From the earliest examples of the domestication of plants and animals, human C Preserving p five onclusion and R roducing While While roducing (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture) agriculture islarge enough to meet Globally, the potential of rainfed present and future demand food through increased productivity.through increased ecommendations © ChrisGibb International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 49

Approach to guide landscape-level planning. guide landscape-level to Approach training, consultation, and financial aid. financial and consultation, training, the ensures that level theecosystem at use systems land of mixture a Promote Ecosystem the CBD Employ biodiversity. use of sustainable and conservation Support local level management by empowering people with knowledge to develop sustainable agricultural systems and by ensuring that they obtain According According to available resources, provide training, education programmes, consultation, and financialaid in managingand conservingbiodiversity in agriculture. Where appropriate, in partnership with farmers, promote incentives that pay pay that incentives in partnership with farmers, promote appropriate, Where farmers for their incremental costs for adopting environmentally friendly changes. climate mitigating to contributions practices, including Create a proactive approach of incorporating biodiversity and ecosystem services services ecosystem and biodiversity incorporating of approach proactive a Create agricultural policies. national into considerations Promote markets for biodiversity-friendly agricultural goods, which allow these these allow which goods, agricultural biodiversity-friendly for markets Promote agricultural goods. trade in unsubsidized and diversify to products Policymakers Policymakers Endorse policy changes that reduce the subsidies that lead to unsustainable practices. sustainable promote and agriculture What can you do? © ICRISAT 50 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture and management. Share traditional knowledge associated with sustainable agricultural practices erosion soil decrease and to reduce excess nutrients entering waterways. Conserve, protect and plant tree, bush or grass “buffer strips”where relevant to levels by increased efficiency. Reduce fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide applications to minimum harvested. is what of consumption and use sustainable the ensure to try and resources End over-exploitation of natural resources, including water and land, and wild livestockand local breeds. Develop and employ a balance of modern and traditional varieties and “super” cultural systems over time. convertingto techniquesview a andsustainablefarming,towith mixed agri Adoptsustainable suchpractices, integratedas agricultural management pest Farmers andagricultural producers agriculture into other sectors. sustainable and strategies agricultural in biodiversity agricultural Integrate Create partnerships to achieve above the goals, where resources donot exist. arethey sustainably used. Protectand restore ecosystems critical that provide resources and ensure that - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 51 - If possible, according to your available resources, grow some of your own food own your of some grow resources, available your to according possible, If friendly methods. environmentally using Reduce water, fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide applications to your your to applications fungicide and herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, water, Reduce to shift species and efficiency increased by levels minimum to lawn or garden local to conditions. adapted better Grow native plants that support pollinators in your areas. in your pollinators support that plants native Grow composting. Recycle by food wastes Demand information more on what you consume—its origin, conservation choices. own you make can so you production, of means and status Stop consuming species consuming sustainably-pro Purchase in decline Stop endangered. or to benefit the for more) little a pay to prepared (be goods harvested and duced the planet. and both yourself Support local food growers as much as you can, such as buying their products products their buying as such can, you as much as localgrowers food Support time. your volunteering or for food and other agricultural goods. other food and for family your and you for habits nutritional good adopt consumption: Sustainable meat. particularly of but in general, over-consumption limit and Consumers Consumers consumption everyday in choices your of impact environmental the of aware Be 52 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture www.fao.org/sd/dim_pe1/pe1_060302_en.htm > Local Knowledge: ATraining Manual. FAO, 2005. org/docrep/fao/009/a0750e/a0750e00a.pdf> 2006.FAO.October 2007. 2007. FAO. 16November 2007. aspx?lgm=0&qst=NR-03-241010100&opt=0&col=0& 2007. October 2006. CBD. 14Nov 2007B. int/doc/meetings/sbstta/sbstta-12/official/sbstta-12- 2007. CBD. 1November 2007. www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/sbstta/sbstta-13/official/ November 2007A.CBD. 2007. 2007 bioversityinternational.org/publications/pubfile. International. 2007. WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/EPdirect/EPdocs/ and 2007. doc/meetings/sbstta/sbstta-07/information/sbstta-07- 2001B. CBD. 2007. 2001. UNEP. 2007 Sahel.” FAO. 1November 2007.

. rinidad andT obago International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 53 - Smith © Ministry for the Environment New Zealand/K.

lossary resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population defined population a by produced wastes the assimilate to usedand resources aat specific materialofstandard living, whereveron Earth that land may be located. their non-living environment interacting as a functional as unit. interacting environment their non-living Ecological footprint Theareaof productive landand aquatic ecosystemsrequired to produce the Ecosystems and communities microorganism and animal, plant, of complexity dynamic A Driver change a causes indirectly or directly that factor human-induced or natural Any ecosystem. in an Biotechnology or organism, living systems, biological uses that application technological Any specificuse. for processes modify or or make products to thereof, derivatives which they are part of; this includes diversity within species (genetic), between between (genetic), species within diversity includes this of; part are they which ecosystems. of species and Biodiversity organisms Thelivingallfrom among variability alia, including, inter sources of the and ecological systems complexes aquatic other and terrestrial, marine toring (learning), with the information being used at the time in designing and and designing in time the at used being information the with (learning), toring towards system the steer to again) (acting intervention next the implementing modify to itself. or the objective objective a given Adaptive management Adaptive moni by followed is (action) intervention an which in operation of mode The G 54 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture of sources food for an individual toa healthy lead and active life. Sufficient protein, carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients provided by a diversity Nutritional needs an active and healthy life. preferences andfood forneeds dietary their safeandmeet nutritiousto food in which all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, Organization the and Agricultural The of Food United Nationssituation a as security Food distinct form or race of a plant or animal species occupying a particular habitat.Ecotype dramatically faceof inthe aperturbation (resistance). (resilience), exhibits low temporal variability (constancy), or not does change perturbation a after stateshortly original its to returnsit if stable considered is ecosystem An ecosystem. an of properties dynamic the of description A Ecosystem stability services. ecosystem with synonymous is services” and concept The goods “ecosystem suchservices as nutrient cycling that maintain the conditions for life on Earth. supporting and benefits; recreational and spiritual as such services cultural control; disease and suchflood as andregulatingwater; suchfood asservices Thebenefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioningservices Ecosystem services and energy. fluxes and nutrient of production,decomposition,nutrients as cycling, esses procsuchinclude functions Ecosystem cycles). biogeochemical chain, food esses whereby an ecosystem maintains its integrity (such as primary productivity, An intrinsic ecosystem characteristic related to the set of conditions and proc Ecosystem function ecosystems. diversity,that humans,cultural nizes their with are componentintegralan of thatpromotes conservationand sustainable anequitablein use way. It recog resources living integratedmanagementwaterand land, offor the strategy a Ecosystem approach - - - International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture 55 - - . Ecosystem Health and Well-being: A Framework for Assessment for A Framework Well-being: and Health Ecosystem : Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Assessment. Ecosystem : Millennium

Washington: Island Press, 2003. Press, Island Washington: A context-and situation-dependent state, comprising basic material for a good a for material basic comprising state, situation-dependent context-and A security. and health good social choice, relations and freedom life, Source tions in other locations to meet their needs. to locations in other tions Well-being Sustainability population local and present the of needs the whereby state or characteristic A popula or generations future of ability the compromising without meet be can ous or irreversible damage, lack of fullshallused not be of lack certainty scientific as damage, irreversible or ous a resource for postponing cost-effective measuresto prevent environmental defined in as the Rio Declaration. degradation,” Precautionary principle Precautionary seri of threats are there “where cases in that stating concept management The 56 International Day for Biological Diversity · Biodiversity and Agriculture For moreinformationpleasevisit: International Livestock Research Institute The ConventionThe on DiversityBiological Agricultural Research in the Dry AreasAgricultural Research Dry inthe World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Organization of United the Nations www.worldagroforestrycentre.org International Agriculture Research www.bioversityinternational.or International Potato Center The ConsultativeThe Group of The and Food Agriculture International Center for Bioversity International www.cipotato.or www.icarda.org www.cgiar.or www.ILRI.or www.fao.or www.cbd.in g t g g

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