To achieve the 2030 targets for global food and nutrition security vis-a-vis the sustainable development goals (SDGs), it is essential to have inclusive and sustainable practices that make agriculture resilient, improve the livelihoods of farmers and ensure the continuous provision of ecosystem services. Effective Plant Genetic Resources Management (PGRM) is vital to this objective as it can ensure a continuous and sustainable supply of germplasm to crop improvement programmes. In this context, the global experience on ex situ conservation and multilateral access has been satisfactory but institutionalized organization of in situ on-farm conservation actions and efforts have been inadequate and limited to a few areas. Policy support by respective national governments, that stimulate and promote relevant voluntary actions by concerned stakeholders in inter-alia conservation by use of indigenous genetic resources and local food systems, can ensure continuous access to new variability for breeding/engineering adaptive, resilient, nutritional and productive novel plant genetic architecture by plant breeders, farmers, and the seed industry. Based on the lessons learned and the potential identified at the conclusion of the UN Environment implemented GEF project “Mainstreaming agricultural biodiversity conservation and utilization in agricultural sector to ensure ecosystem services and reduce vulnerability”, undertaken by The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, India Office, along with ICAR/Other National Partners/Stakeholders from 2017-2023, The Alliance organized a “Strategic Policy Dialogue on Stepping forward for in situ on-farm conservation and promotion of food security and nutrition in South Asia” at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi on 15 May 2023 to firm up its voluntary policy guidance suggestions.
In the inaugural session, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), gave the keynote address where he reiterated the central importance of farmers for a system-wide transformation and laid out a ten-point agenda to achieve it. Ms. Temina Lalani Shariff, Regional Director for South Asia, CGIAR, emphasized the on-going cooperation and the collective experience and knowledge of the CGIAR and national partners that will be crucial develop an agenda for social and policy inclusion. Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPV&FR Authority and the Inaugural Chair, mentioned that farmers need incentives to conserve on-farm and the need for reorganizing the informal seed sector in India. Dr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, GOI MoA&FW; Shri T. Vijay Kumar IAS (Retd.), Executive Vice Chairman, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RSS) & Ex Officio Special Chief Secretary to Govt. of A.P.; Dr. P.L. Gautam, Former Chairperson, NBA and PPV&FRA, and DDG (CS), ICAR; Dr. J.C. Rana, Country Representative, The Alliance; and Dr. Sudhir Kochhar, Consultant, The Alliance were the other experts who shared their views on the importance of various themes being discussed in the conference.
The workshop held a technical session and plenary discussions on diverse topics like the strategies to promote on-farm conservation; visualize and anticipate on-farm conservation models to make agriculture resilient and productive; and insights gained during the project implementation period. A total of 69 participants, including scientists, policy makers, researchers and farmers provided their input and recommendations. The recommendations from the conference are expected to provide a roadmap of strategies to mobilize farmers’ participatory engagement in on-farm conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity, build consensus on appropriate decision-making tools and identify models for integrated farming.
