Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Crop genetic resources, the diverse hereditary material of cultivated plants, are the foundation of global food security. These resources hold the potential to develop climate-resilient crops, improve nutritional value, and combat emerging plant diseases. The erosion of biodiversity, driven by factors like habitat loss and the adoption of monoculture farming practices, poses a significant threat. Recognizing this, conservation efforts are crucial, encompassing both preserving wild relatives and traditional varieties. The FAO estimates that 75% of the world’s food crop varieties have disappeared since 1900, underscoring the urgency of conservation.
What are Crop Genetic Resources?
Crop genetic resources are the genetic material of plants that humans use for food, feed, fodder, and other purposes. This includes landraces, wild relatives, and improved varieties.
Importance of Conservation
Conservation is vital for:
- Food Security: Providing raw material for crop improvement to address changing demands and challenges.
- Climate Resilience: Accessing genes for drought, flood, heat, and pest resistance.
- Nutritional Security: Preserving varieties with enhanced micronutrient content (biofortification).
- Sustainable Agriculture: Maintaining agrobiodiversity for ecosystem services and resilience.
Conservation Methods
Ex-Situ Conservation
This involves removing genetic material from its natural habitat and preserving it under controlled conditions.
- Seed Banks: Storing seeds under cryogenic conditions (e.g., Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway). India’s National Seed Bank is located in IARI, New Delhi.
- Field Genebanks: Maintaining living collections of plants in experimental fields.
- In Vitro Conservation: Using techniques like tissue culture to preserve plant material.
- Cryopreservation: Preserving plant tissues or cells at very low temperatures (-196°C).
In-Situ Conservation
This involves conserving genetic resources within their natural habitats.
- On-Farm Conservation: Supporting farmers in preserving traditional varieties and landraces through participatory approaches. The "Beej Swaraj" movement in India promotes this.
- Protected Areas: Establishing reserves and national parks to protect wild relatives of crops. The Himalayan region is a hotspot for wild relatives of many important crops.
Role of Institutions and International Efforts
Several institutions play a vital role:
- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), India: A premier organization for *ex-situ* conservation and characterization of plant genetic resources.
- CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research): Supports gene banks worldwide and promotes the exchange of genetic material.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization): Promotes conservation through the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative.
Challenges
Challenges include:
- Limited Resources: Inadequate funding for conservation efforts.
- Lack of Awareness: Limited understanding of the importance of genetic resources among farmers and policymakers.
- Biopiracy: Unauthorized access and commercial exploitation of genetic resources.
Conclusion
Conserving crop genetic resources is an imperative for ensuring food security and adapting to a changing climate. A combination of *ex-situ* and *in-situ* approaches, coupled with strong institutional support and international collaboration, is essential. Promoting farmer participation and raising awareness about the value of agrobiodiversity are also crucial steps. The future of agriculture depends on safeguarding this invaluable heritage for generations to come.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.