Introduction to biodiversity in agriculture
The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in India is working to conserve and restore the nation's natural heritage. One of the mission's components focuses on biodiversity in agriculture, with the goal of improving agricultural productivity, food and nutrition security, and rural livelihoods.
In this article, experts will explore the relationship between agricultural intensification and biodiversity conservation, and the role of biodiversity in enhancing food and nutrition security and rural livelihoods.
Biodiversity in Agriculture
Agricultural biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species used for food and agriculture. It is essential for food security and nutrition. The agrobiodiversity index measures the diversity of production, markets, and consumption, as well as genetic resources. The increasing human population is the biggest challenge to agricultural biodiversity, and the goal is to increase food productivity by 70% in the next 30 years.
The Importance of On-Farm Biodiversity
On-farm biodiversity, which includes plant-based and non-plant-based genetic resources, plays a crucial role in sustaining food, fuel, and feed production.
It is a source of wild greens, tubers, and medicinal plants, and serves as the foundation for developing new crop varieties. It also provides ecosystem services such as soil fertility management, pest and disease management, and pollination.
International Development Organizations and Agriculture Biodiversity
Recognizing the importance of on-farm biodiversity in ensuring sustainable food and livelihood security, many international development organizations have included agriculture biodiversity as a means for achieving sustainable livelihoods.
The main concern of stakeholders is that on-farm biodiversity is seen as a source of sustaining production and livelihoods and a source of access and use rights for traditional medicine and food.
Coexistence of Biodiversity and Agriculture
There is a debate about whether biodiversity and agriculture can coexist. Traditionally, there has been a trade-off between development and conservation, but this is not the case when it comes to on-farm biodiversity. Farmers manage a minimum portfolio of plant and non-plant-based genetic resources, and there is a growing demand for ecologically friendly agriculture production processes and products.
However, there are still challenges to conserving on-farm resources, including competition for use and the potential for capturing economic rent from the use of agrobiodiversity.
Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanisms
It is important to reflect on the value of on-farm bioresources in the final product and the need for access and benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure sustainable use and conservation. Different methods for estimating the value of bioresources can be used to incentivize conservation and sustainable use.
Commercialization of Farming and Small Farmers
The commercialization of farming has led to a decline in food diversity and food sources, and there is a need to balance income security for farmers with diverse food crop production to prevent the out-migration of the angry population. Small farmers often lack the resources to invest in innovative farming techniques, leading to a cycle of poverty.
However, there are models that can provide continuous income throughout the year, which need to be explored to help small farmers.
Conservation of Agriculture and Biodiversity
Conserving agriculture is crucial for biodiversity, and one way to achieve this is by promoting local foods and respecting them. This will help preserve local crops and landraces.
The payment of ecosystem services is an important way to support small farmers, but it is not clear who will pay for these services.
The Government's Role in Biodiversity Conservation
There is a need for the government to provide subsidies or incentives for farmers to adopt practices that conserve biodiversity. Local communities are generally aware of the importance of biodiversity, but there is a need to quantify this knowledge. The speaker also raises the issue of small-scale farmers not being able to sell their produce due to a lack of marketing opportunities and the need for cross-sectoral coordination to effectively conserve biodiversity.
Conclusion: Biodiversity in agriculture
By exploring the relationship between agricultural intensification and biodiversity conservation, and the role of biodiversity in enhancing food and nutrition security and rural livelihoods helps to strengthen the science of restoring and conserving India's natural heritage.
FAQ
Q: What is the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-being in India?
A: The National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in India is a mission aimed at conserving and restoring the nation's natural heritage. One of the mission's components focuses on biodiversity in agriculture, with the goal of improving agricultural productivity, food and nutrition security, and rural livelihoods.
Q: What is agricultural biodiversity?
A: Agricultural biodiversity refers to the diversity of plant and animal species used for food and agriculture. It is crucial for food security and nutrition.
Q: What is the agrobiodiversity index?
A: The agrobiodiversity index measures the diversity of production, markets, and consumption, as well as genetic resources in agriculture.
Q: What is the biggest challenge to agricultural biodiversity?
A: The increasing human population is the biggest challenge to agricultural biodiversity.
Q: What is the goal of the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in India?
A: The goal of the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in India is to increase food productivity by 70% in the next 30 years.
Q: What is the role of on-farm biodiversity in agriculture?
A: On-farm biodiversity, which includes plant-based and non-plant-based genetic resources, plays a crucial role in sustaining food, fuel, and feed production. It provides ecosystem services and supports agriculture production.
Q: What is the main concern of stakeholders regarding on-farm biodiversity?
A: The main concern of stakeholders is that on-farm biodiversity is seen as a source of sustaining production and livelihoods and a source of access and use rights for traditional medicine and food.
Q: Can biodiversity and agriculture coexist?
A: Biodiversity and agriculture can coexist, and farmers manage a minimum portfolio of plant and non-plant-based genetic resources. However, there are still challenges to conserving on-farm resources.
Q: What is the role of access and benefit-sharing mechanisms in on-farm biodiversity?
A: Access and benefit-sharing mechanisms are important to ensure sustainable use and conservation of on-farm biodiversity. They reflect the value of on-farm bioresources in the final product.
Q: What is the impact of the commercialization of farming on agriculture and small farmers?
A: The commercialization of farming has led to a decline in food diversity and food sources, and small farmers often lack the resources to invest in innovative farming techniques.
Q: What is the role of the government in conserving biodiversity?
A: The government plays an important role in conserving biodiversity by providing subsidies or incentives for farmers to adopt practices that conserve biodiversity.
