Parties to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) recently convened in Rome for the 20th meeting (CGRFA-20).
- At CGRFA-20, the third report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was also released.
About the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- Establishment: The Commission was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1983.
Achievements of CGRFA
- CGRFA facilitated the adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in 2001.
- The ITPGRFA recognizes the contributions of farmers to crop diversity and establishes a global system for accessing plant genetic materials for breeders, farmers, and scientists.
- Global Plan of Action for AnGR (GPA): CGRFA began its work on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) in 1997.
- It led to preparation of the first-ever Report on the State of the World’s AnGR and resulted in the negotiation and adoption of the GPA in 2007.
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- Exclusive body: It is the only permanent intergovernmental body that specifically addresses the components of biological diversity for food and agriculture.
- Purpose: The Commission serves as the primary permanent international forum for governments to discuss, negotiate, and make decisions on matters related to genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA).
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
- Members: The Commission has 179 member countries, including India, along with the European Union.
- Period of sessions: Regular sessions of the Commission are held once every two years.
About the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (SoW-PGRFA)
- The SoW-PGRFA report provides a comprehensive assessment of the conservation, use, and status of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) at the global, regional, and national levels.
- It is published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Farmers’ Varieties and Landraces (FV/LRs)
- Farmers’ varieties (FV) and landraces (LRs) are traditional crop varieties developed and maintained by farmers over generations.
- They are genetically diverse, locally adapted, and resilient to environmental changes.
Importance in Agriculture:
- FV/LRs contribute to biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience.
- They often have superior resistance to pests, diseases, and drought compared to commercial hybrids.
Examples :
- Kala Namak Rice (Uttar Pradesh): A scented rice variety resistant to drought.
- Chapati Wheat (Madhya Pradesh): Traditional wheat with high protein content.
- Rajnigandha Cotton (Maharashtra): Drought-tolerant indigenous cotton variety.
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History of the Report
- First Report (1998):
- Presented at the Fourth International Technical Conference in Leipzig, Germany (1996).
- Served as the first global assessment of the conservation status and management practices of PGRFA.
- Second Report (2010):Provided updated findings from the first report.
- Emphasized the importance of linking conservation efforts with climate resilience and food security.
Key Insights in the Third Report (2025)
- Crop Concentration: 60% of global food supply comes from just nine crops: sugarcane, maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, oil palm, sugar beet, and cassava.
- Threatened Diversity: Globally, 6% of farmers’ varieties (FV/LR) are at risk, with some sub-regions experiencing a loss of more than 18%.
- Highest Risk Regions: Southern Africa, the Caribbean, and Western Asia are experiencing the highest levels of genetic diversity loss.
- India’s Scenario: Over 50% of documented farmers’ varieties and landraces (FV/LRs) across five agroecological zones in India are under threat.
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