The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently brought into light alarming trends in the state of global plant genetic resources. Despite the cultivation of around 6,000 plant species, a staggering 60 per cent of the world’s crop production relies on just nine crops. This dependency raises concerns about food security and biodiversity.
Key Findings of the FAO Report
The FAO’s Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture revealed critical insights. It was based on data from 128 countries and various research centres. The report indicated that an average of 6 per cent of farmers’ varieties and landraces (FV/LR) are threatened globally. Alarmingly, nine out of 18 surveyed sub-regions reported 18 per cent or more of FV/LR as threatened. Southern Africa exhibited the highest threat levels.
Regional Diversity Threats
The report identified specific regions with concerning levels of genetic diversity threats. Southern Africa faced the most challenges, followed by the Caribbean and Western Asia. In contrast, regions like Southern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand showed less threatened diversity.
In-Situ and Ex Situ Conservation
In-situ conservation, which involves preserving species in their natural habitats, revealed that about 42 per cent of surveyed taxa are threatened. In India, over 50 per cent of documented FV/LRs across five agro-ecological zones were at risk. Ex situ conservation, which involves preserving genetic material outside its natural habitat, has seen progress but still faces challenges. Political and financial support remains inadequate in many countries, hindering effective conservation efforts.
Impact of Climate Change
Climate change poses an ongoing threat to crop diversity. The report noted increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Many nations struggle to assess the impacts of these disasters on crop diversity. While economic and nutritional costs are often evaluated, the effects on genetic diversity are frequently overlooked.
Indian Initiatives for Crop Diversity
India’s agriculture ministry initiated the creation of seed hubs to enhance indigenous pulse production. This project, started in 2016, aimed to improve the availability of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) for smallholder farmers. The initiative led to increase in pulse production, rising from 14.76 million tonnes in 2007-2008 to 24.42 million tonnes in 2020-2021.
Challenges in Disaster Response
The report brought into light gaps in assessing the impact of disasters on crop diversity. Reliable sources for materials are often lacking after emergencies. Additionally, germplasm provided to farmers may not always suit local conditions, which can exacerbate existing challenges.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the role of biodiversity in ensuring food security in the context of global agriculture.
- Critically examine the significance of in-situ and ex situ conservation methods for plant genetic resources.
- Explain the impact of climate change on agricultural practices and crop diversity.
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges faced by countries in responding to agricultural emergencies and preserving genetic diversity.
