Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

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    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

    161) Transfer of technology to farmers and its application for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (I)

    Farmers in semi-arid areas of Al Jaffara plain area, south of Tripoli, have no access to technology and always confronted with high prices of farm inputs. In 2018-2019, the Safit Station for Agricultural Research and Studies and the Animal Research Center re-launched the technology transfer programme in order to support farmers. This programme was implemented between 1991-2000, and was aimed to help farmers by applying appropriate agricultural techniques for cultivating crops in arid areas where they live, to learn how to apply a set of agricultural techniques and methods suitable to the arid lands, use of suitable seeds types and varieties, and more importantly, to increase their farm incomes. Initially, the technology transfer was done involving 49 farmers in 2018, and then in 2019, about 136 farmers were involved. This activity resulted to farmers’ enhanced understanding of the importance and necessity of applying agricultural techniques in their harsh and semi-arid environments, and enabled them to make choices and decisions in cultivating crops and varieties and applying appropriate agricultural technologies.

    Category: 9.Training, capacity development and public awareness creation

    Type of measure/practice: Technical

    162) Transfer of technology to farmers and its application for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (II)

    From 2015 to 2019, the Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tripoli, in cooperation with Dalia Agricultural Investment Company, supported technology training programme to enhance the knowledge of farmers, to learn and acquire new skills and technologies, to increase their production and to be able to supply the local markerts with high quality products. The programme activities included training of farmers on growing, breeding and pruning fruit trees (e.g. grapes, olives, citrus fruits), so as to improve farm productivity and eventually to increase their household incomes. The training is comprised of inviting 40 to 50 farmers annually plus a number of interested participants from all over the country who were keen to learn fruit trees management. Key outcomes included raising farmers' awareness and learning the importance of the technical and scientific methods of fruit trees management.

    Category: 9.Training, capacity development and public awareness creation

    Type of measure/practice: Technical

    163) Activities of the Mapuche Peoples in Chile and limitations of the legal framework

    The Organización Mapuche Consejo de Todas las Tierras represents more than three hundred Mapuche communities living in their ancient territories in Araucanía region of Chile. Mapuche peoples are known for being deeply attached to the earth and natural environments, they have unique culture, language and strong customary laws. Mapuche communities have followed ancestral practices of domestication and cultivation of various crops and their respective varieties to achieve food security, including potatoes, wheat, legumes, lentils, tomatoes, peppers and beans, among others. They continue to cultivate these crops despite the increasing presence of agro-industry in the region. Mapuche communities have no major obstacles for the cultivation and use of seeds in the communities; for example, there are no restrictions to the exchange of seeds between Mapuche families. However, there is currently no national or local legislation on the role of peasants in the dynamic management of biodiversity; no recognition of traditional knowledge and practices; and no differentiation between ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ seeds. While the absence of a legal framework has not prevented Mapuche communities from carrying out crop conservation activities based on Mapuche customary laws, it exposes seeds for traditional use to risks of genetic contamination and misappropriation.

    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: Others

    164) Assessing the implementation of Article 9 (Farmers’ Rights) in the Philippines

    PARAGOS-PILIPINAS is a civil society organization engaging in education and awareness campaigns on land rights and sustainable agriculture practices, often in partnership with other NGOs. In 2018, a study was conducted with the aim to assess the level of implementation of Article 9 of the ITPGRFA in the Philippines and to support farmers in their role as seed developers. A number of policies and laws were found to be relevant, including laws targeting the seed industry, phytosanitary regulations, organic farming as well as rights of women and indigenous peoples. Farmers are recognized as seed growers but are not dynamically supported in their role as biodiversity managers; relevant legal provisions view farmers as mere beneficiaries. There are no limitations for farmers in the Philippines to save, use, exchange and sell seed, but the government policies endorse mainly certified seeds, so that farmers’ seed production and exchange tends to be discouraged. Community Intellectual Property Rights, including for seeds, genetic resources and related traditional knowledge, are legally recognized through several provisions of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA), 1997. Lessons learned include that the links between land rights and peasants’ and indigenous communities’ rights to seeds and genetic resources would deserve more attention.

    Category: 11.Other measures / practices

    Type of measure/practice: Others

    165) Information and participation processes for the implementation of Farmers´ Rights in Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala

    This good practice started in 2008 in Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango, Guatemala with active participation of Asociación de Organizaciones de los Cuchumatanes (ASOCUCH) in the framework of Programa Colaborativo de Fitomejoramiento Participativo en Mesoamérica (FPMA) with support from the Norwegian Development Fund (Utviklingsfondet) and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAR). Objectives include to promote understanding of and awareness of Farmers' Rights and the importance of local seed systems for food security of vulnerable groups. Basic components of the initiative entail (1) development of information materials, such as brochures, videos and radio spots; (2) recovery of traditional knowledge, e.g. recipes; (3) training of local actors; and (4) facilitation of farmers' participation in decision-making spaces. Main results obtained include the distribution of information material to community leaders, farmers and the general public; the creation of a Technical Committee on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (COTERFAA); as well as the development of a proposal for a public seed policy with participation of farmers.

    Category: 8.Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and sub-regional, regional and international levels

    Type of measure/practice: Technical