Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Improved management of pests, diseases and
weeds, for example, through integrated pest
management, new crop and livestock variet-
ies, improved quarantine, and sentinel moni-
toring programs.
Better use of short-term and seasonal climate
forecasting to reduce production risk
despite uncertainties about future impacts of
climate change. Varieties with improved
nutritional content can provide benefi ts for
animals and humans alike, reducing vulnerability
to illness and improving overall health.
12.1.2 Advantages
12.1
Improved Crop Seeds,
Livestock, and Fish Cultures
The process of farmer experimentation and the
subsequent introduction of adapted and accepted
varieties can potentially strengthen farmers'
cropping systems by increasing yields, improv-
ing drought resilience, boosting resistance to
pests and diseases, and also by capturing new
market opportunities. To make the products of
the research process more relevant to the needs of
smallholder farmers, research organizations are
increasingly engaged in participatory research in
recognition of its potential contribution to mar-
ginal areas with low agricultural potential. There
is a need to identify crops and varieties that are
suited to a multitude of environments and farmer
preferences. Participatory approaches increase
the validity, accuracy, and particularly the effi -
ciency of the research process and its outputs.
Researchers are better informed and can better
inform about the traits that should be incorpo-
rated in improved varieties. Participatory pro-
cesses also enhance farmers' capacity to seek
information, strengthen social organization, and
experiment with different crop varieties and man-
agement practices.
12.1.1 Key Issues
Promoting use of biotechnology
Research and promotion of C4 pathways in
C3 plants
Conserving indigenous genetic resources
Management and dissemination of improved
varieties
Conserving “Agricultural Heritage”
The introduction of new cultivated species and
improved varieties of crop is a technology aimed
at enhancing plant productivity, quality, health
and nutritional value, and/or building crop resil-
ience to diseases, pest organisms, and environ-
mental stresses. The use of the appropriate crop
varieties reduce their vulnerability to risks asso-
ciated with climate change (e.g., harvest losses
due to pests, diseases, or droughts) and improve
their livelihoods.
The traits that may be important for climate
change adaptation include:
Capacity to tolerate high temperatures and
droughts
Fire resistance and tolerance, especially for
trees
Resistance or tolerance to diseases and pests
Phenotypic plasticity
Breeding new and improved crop varieties
enhances the resistance of plants to a variety of
stresses that could result from climate change.
These potential stresses include water and heat
stress, water salinity, and the emergence of new
pests. Varieties that are developed to resist these
conditions will help to ensure that agricultural
production can continue and even improve
12.1.3 Disadvantages
Farmer experimentation using only native variet-
ies can limit the range of benefi ts and responses
that may be found among the materials being
tested, although local adaptation and acceptance
are ensured. At the same time, problems can arise
with the introduction of exotic species (from
other origin centers) that after being introduced
turned into pests. There are several examples of
introduced species that have escaped control
becoming pests or agricultural weeds.
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