Local varieties are our source of health and strength

Table of contents:

• Conserving genetic resources at the farm level
  3 - 6
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  written by Jeffrey McNeely
  Conservationists and ecologists are often blamed for being 'conservative', focusing too much on preservation. Critics say: 'they want to turn nature into parks and keep farmers out'. In this article Jeffrey McNeely argues that sustainable farming makes an important contribution to conserving nature and that the people who live around protected areas benefit from them. Future food demands have to be met by increasing agricultural productivity. This should be based on the wisdom inherent in many traditional practices.
• Women ensure survival
  7 - 7
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  written by Vandana Shiva
  To improve the agricultural situation in Africa. there is a tendency to look to the "success" of India's Green Revolution. But the failures are now apparent, as Vandana Shiva points out. What can be learned from women?
• African women farmers utilise local knowledge
  8 - 9
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  written by Monika Hoffmann-Kuehnel
  Monika Hoffmann reports on a travelling workshop as a new way to exchange indigenous knowledge among women. Are there other ways?
• Local initiatives in maintaining biological diversity
  10 - 11
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  written by Calestous Juma
  As expansion of agriculture jeopardises the supply of wild plants valued as food, fuel and fodder, rural communities in Kenya are now attempting to domesticate them. Calestous Juma reveals how important these activities are becoming in local economies.
• Andean potato peasants are "seed bankers"
  12 - 13
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  written by Albrecht Benzing
  In the home of the potato in South America, farmers have developed an immense diversity of varieties over the centuries, but these valuable genetic resources are endangered with the promotion of "modern" potato production. Albrecht Benzing spoke with Anibal and Orfelina Correo, peasant farmers in Ecuador, to find out more about the indigenous potato varieties they are trying to maintain.
• Low-demand animals for low-input systems
  14 - 15
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  written by Wolfgang Bayer
  Indigenous livestock breeds are well adapted to the local environment, but have usually been underestimated by scientific breeders. Wolfgang Bayer urges that a closer look be taken at the traits valued by farmers operating with low levels of external inputs when they select and breed animals on their own farms.
• Fitting iguanas and forests into Central American farms
  16 - 17
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  written by Dagmar Werner
  Reptiles are a source of protein in many parts of the world. Promoting iguana management for local food and sales can encourage the protection and planting of farm forests where the iguanas can live. Dagmar Werner describes how the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Pro Iguana Verde Foundation and rural communities have been investigating the potentials of this underexploited resource.
• Genetic diversity, mythology and agroecology
  20 - 20
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  written by Tadeu Caldas
  "Origin of agriculture" by the Nambikwara is part of RDP's collection of myths of indigenous peoples in the tropics. Through them we can better understand how people perceive the way their universe is organised. Indigenous peoples have comprehensive myths which include all natural or supernatural phenomena experienced by the community.
• Indigenous knowledge on tropical trees
  21 - 21
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  written by P.K.R Nair
  A lot of knowledge about trees and their products is still not identified. P.K.R. Nair points out that agroforestry can be a viable option to make use of "under-exploited" species in a sustainable manner. He presented his views at a World Bank meeting in Washington, D.C. on June 21, 1989.
• Variety choice and seed supply by smallholders
  22 - 23
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  written by Jan Siemonsma , Anita R. Linnemann
  Small farmers' methods and criteria in choosing crop varieties and ensuring seed supply need to be studied so that breeders can support these efforts and produce appropriate new varieties. Anita Linnemann and Jan Siemonsma describe how this is being done in East Java.
• Farmer-based research for sustainable rice farming
  24 - 25
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  written by Angela Briones
  Small farmers are recognising that the "miracle" rice of the Green Revolution is not bringing them profit. Angelina Briones and her colleagues of the UPLB describe how rice farmers, NGOs and scientists are working together in a new form of research to satisfy the farmers' desire for productive and sustainable agriculture.
• Village-based seed production
  26 - 27
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  written by Esbern Friis-Hansen
  The concept of village-based seed banks is central if peasants are to have better access to a variety of inexpensive quality seeds, be they hybrid, composite or landraces. Esbern Friis-Hansen describes the role of seeds in African peasant societies, and gives ideas on village-based seed production in Tanzania and the decentralised seed multiplication scheme in Malawi.
• Grass roots alternatives for conserving genetic diversity
  28 - 28
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  written by Renée Vellvé
  The role of biotechnology and industrial pressures to patent genetic resources for agriculture is increasing. There is a growing concern that the diversity needed to adjust to changing circumstances in the future will be lost. ICDA sees hope for reversing genetic erosion by supporting co-operation of farmers and NGOs in community-based conservation work.