Process of effective implementation of in situ conservation of
agrobiodiversity On-farm in Nepal and Vietnam
Bhuwon Sthapit1, Devra Jarvis1, Jwala Bajracharya2, Nugyen Ngoc Hue3,
Anil Subedi2 and Deepak Rijal2
1 International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, APO, PO Box 324, UPM Post Office, Serdang 43400,
Malaysia, e-mail: b.sthapit@cgiar.org; IPGRI –HQ; e-mail: d.jarvis@cgiar.org
2 In Situ Conservation of Agrobiodiversity On-farm, Nepal-Project (NARC / LIBIRD)
3 In Situ Conservation of Agrobiodiversity On-farm, Vietnam-Project (VASI /CANTHO)
Abstract
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A major objective of in situ conservation strategies is to maintain evolutionary
processes. In situ conservation of crop plants involves the conservation on-farm
of local crop cultivars or landraces with the active participation of farmers and is
also a powerful strategy to integrate farming community into the national PGR
system so that monitoring of genetic resources could be done at local scale. In
situ conservation strategies also promote a broader range of partnerships in
conservation efforts as it involves diversity of stakeholders and objectives. It In
order to maintain and use landraces for sustainable manner, landrace must be
competitive with other options a farmer might have and contribute to the food
security and possible increase in a farmer’s income.
Many projects fail to involve community in on-farm conservation projects. The
poster documented the general process of implementation of the IPGRI’s Global
in situ conservation projects in Nepal and Vietnam. Often participatory entries
points for local cultural and government policy context are limited for effective
implementation of on-farm conservation which involves diverse farmers, local
institutions and agricultural extension and research systems.
A number of
participatory tools such as diversity fair, diversity kits, diversity block, CBR and
PPB strengthen local capacity to develop on-farm conservation strategies at local
level and contribute to the improvement of farmers’ livelihoods. This can only be
achieved through long term commitments from the International Undertakings,
donors and government policies besides national and local efforts
The paper discusses the steps and methods used on in situ conservation of
agricultural biodiversity on-farm. Some of the major results, constraints, impact
and future directions and recommendations are also discussed.