Global Information System

The Inventory

This online version of the Inventory presents, for each measure, the title and a brief description with information on implementing organization(s), start year, objectives, core elements, key outcomes, and, if applicable, lessons learned. It thus allows users to quickly identify those examples that may be of interest to them. A hyperlink to the original submission is provided, which includes additional information, such as on the history and context of the presented measure, challenges encountered, or target groups reached. In this way, users can get a more comprehensive idea of the measure in question and the specific context for which it was developed.

To facilitate navigation, the Inventory is subdivided into eleven categories. Measures or practices that fall under more than one category are listed under each one that applies. Furthermore, information is provided on the type(s) of measures that are typically involved, such as technical, administrative, legal, and/or others, and on the relevant sub-article of Article 9 that is addressed. Additional search options allow searching by country, region, free text and keyword.

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Number of records: 233

141) Conservation, management and use of agricultural biodiversity in Biosphere Reserves

The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA), together with other public organizations and the Instituto de Investigaciones Fundamentales en Agricultura Tropical ‘Alejandro de Humboldt' (INIFAT), developed projects for in situ conservation of agrobiodiversity in the Cuban Biosphere Reserves. This work started in 1995 in the Biosphere Reserves ‘Sierra del Rosario’ and ‘Cuchillas del Toa’. Main objectives were to highlight the importance of agrobiodiversity and the knowledge associated with PGRFA conserved, managed and used by farmers in these areas. The first projects showed that the diversity of species was high; and that its use was important for the sustainability of farms. However, there was no opportunity yet to deepen such insights, for example in terms of assessing intraspecific diversity and underlying management processes, especially production and mobility of seed through informal systems; it was also not known which factors (environmental, social and economic) influence conservation activities of farmers. These questions served as starting points for further projects, like those currently being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The results of these projects have led to the integration of agrobiodiversity monitoring into the management plans of the Biosphere Reserves of Cuba for the period 2014-2020.

Category: 5.In-situ/on farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management and conservation sites

Type of measure/practice: Technical; Administrative

142) Establishing and promoting Community Seed Banks and exchange networks

In 2007 the institute for fundamental research in tropical agriculture Instituto de Investigaciones Fundamentales en Agricultura Tropical ‘Alejandro de Humboldt' (INIFAT), together with several other public and non-governmental organizations, established Community Seed Banks (CSBs) as part of broader strategies for agrobiodiversity conservation in Cuba’s Biosphere Reserves. It aims to facilitate farmers' access to seed of a diversity of crops or to function as an emergency seed supply in the case that crops are damaged or destroyed. CSBs allow farmers to access healthy seeds adapted to their local conditions and do not require additional inputs they cannot afford; in addition, CSBs can support farmers who are interested in conserving seeds of traditional varieties or ‘Creole crops’ because of their origin and their cultural importance. The experience made with CSBs also allowed to define ‘duties’ of farmers for the CSBs to function. All this required training in issues related to seed conservation, data recording and cooperation with the central Genebank to create synergies, post-harvest, pest management, and management of agricultural biodiversity in the community.

Category: 6.Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through community seed banks, seed networks and other measures improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.

Type of measure/practice: Technical

143) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, established in 2014, provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Agricultural Land Easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space.

Category: 3.Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA

Type of measure/practice: Technical; Administrative; Legal

144) Crop Insurance

Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) promotes the economic stability of agriculture through a sound system of crop insurance and providing the means for the research and experience helpful in devising and establishing such insurance.

Category: 11.Other measures / practices

Type of measure/practice: Technical; Administrative

145) Require applicant for plant variety protection to disclose the source of genetic material used in the development of a plant variety for which protection is sought, whether it is legally acquired

Misappropriation of local plant genetic resources through the plant variety protection system (PVP) is a major concern for developing countries. Several developing countries such as India (2001), Thailand (1999), Malaysia (2004) and Egypt (2002) implement a disclosure obligation in their national PVP legislation. The obligation requires an applicant seeking PVP to disclose information about genetic material used in the development of the plant variety for which PVP protection is sought i.e. provide evidence that breeding material has been lawfully obtained, require applicant to show prior informed consent of the farmers/communities who have developed/conserved the materials has been obtained and compliance with benefit sharing requirements. Disclosure facilitates identification of farmers and local communities that should be entitled to benefit sharing payments. Disclosure obligation supports Article 9.1 of ITPGRFA which recognizes the historical and present contribution of local, indigenous communities and farmers and furthers implementation of Article 9.2(a) and (b) of the ITPGRFA. A challenge in implementation is the UPOV system which does not recognize or allow countries to institute disclosure obligations in national PVP law, although a prerequisite to further implementation of Farmers’ Rights. As such, several countries have opted for alternative sui generis PVP systems that incorporate disclosure obligation.

Category: 10.Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as legislative measures related to PGRFA.

Type of measure/practice: Legal