Integration of Conservation Strategies of Plant Genetic ... - Genres

Report of Working Groups:
J. CHERFAS, F. BEGEMANN AND R.D. SMITH
On-farm conservation and its relations to ex-situ conservation
Rapporteur J. CHERFAS
The participants spent considerable time discussing various interpretations of the phrase
"on-farm". After an exchange of views, it was agreed to extend the use of "farm" to cover
fields and gardens too. The use of the term "in-situ" was felt not always to be entirely
appropriate, for example in the case of assembled orchards of fruit trees. In the end,
participants agreed that people and their activities are an essential part of on-farm
conservation, and that one defining characteristic might be that in on-farm conservation plant
genetic resources are at least open to the continuing evolutionary influence of selective forces.
Three possible aspects or levels of on-farm conservation and its relationships with ex-situ
(genebank) conservation were identified:
1 Specific conservation of plant genetic resources, for example to assist a genebank with
regeneration.
2 The conservation of plant genetic resources through their use as part of a wider effort to
conserve the social and cultural identity of a region and its agriculture.
3 Work with farmers to increase the diversity of plant genetic resources being grown, through
programmes such as farmer innovation.
All three can contribute to the conservation of plant genetic resources in different ways. But all
three, it was felt, shared a common factor, which was their potential for increasing public
awareness of the value of plant genetic resources.
The group identified several factors that might influence on farm conservation in positive and
negative directions. For example, genebanks could pay farmers to grow specific crops, such as
large populations of obligate outbreeders. On the other hand, genebanks might never be able to
match the returns available to farmers from other crops or even set aside. Farmers might also be
trained to make preliminary characterisations.
The group suggested that there was much to be learned about direct collaboration between
genebanks and growers, particularly from the experience of colleagues in Hungary and elsewhere.
Working within existing agricultural societies there is an important place for a diversity of plant
(and animal) genetic resources. Products typical of a region can enhance the value of conserving
diversity to farmers and the use of regionally adapted varieties can help to maintain traditional
forms of culture.
The group suggested further exploration of ways of encouraging diversity in agriculture, for
example in Biosphere Reserves, and in pursuing the marketing of authentic regional specialities.
Tourism, too, and Living Farm museums offer significant opportunities for the conservation of
plant genetic resources while at the same time making an important contribution to heightened