Custodian Farmers of Agricultural Biodiversity

Bhuwon Sthapit, Hugo Lamers & Ramanatha RaoBioversity International

Putting Theory into Practice: What can we learn from custodian farmers of agricultural biodiversity in situ ?

Inter and intra specific diversity of Mangifera sp., Nephelium sp., and Gracinia sp.

Unique and rare fruit diversity!

Source: Salma Idris, Malaysia

Diversity in orchards and home gardens of custodian farmers

Few basic questions?• Why making so much fuss about custodian

farmers? • What we really mean by custodian farmers?• How we can identify them? • What are the characteristics of such custodian

farmers?• What are current roles and functions of such

farmers?• Are there different types of custodian farmers?• What role they can play for the national PGR

system? • Why this workshop? Why this theme is important

global consultation issue?

Why is it important to identify and define custodian farmers?

• Little research done on effective methods how to strengthen on-farm conservation or guide interventions

• Seems effective and efficient approach for on-farm conservation interventions

• These farmers play a key role:– Linking traditional knowledge to

scientific knowledge– Linking formal sector to informal seed

exchange sector

What we really mean by custodian farmers?

How can we identify them?

Who are Custodian Farmers?

Custodian farmers are those conserver farmers who actively maintain, adapt and disseminate agricultural biodiversity over time and space, including the culture and institutions in which it is embedded, and the knowledge needed for its use and cultivation

http://www.futurepolicy.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Axel/Genetic_Resources/Regulation_germplasm_bank_custodian_Tuscany.pdf

WHAT are the Key Characteristics of Custodian Farmers?

1. Driven by conservation ideology

2. Knowledge holder of traits

3. Community recognition

4. Highly motivated and self-directed

5. Consistent and unshaken commitment

6. Willing to share knowledge and materials

WHAT are the Essential Roles and Functions of Custodian Farmers?

1. Maintenance

2. Adaptation/innovation/selection

3. Promotion/dissemination

4. Continuity

Note: Genetic resources are deeply embedded in knowledge and practices of farmer’s livelihood and food culture

Typology of Custodian Farmers

Custodian Farmer

What are the Key Roles of Custodian Farmers?

Role Description Indicators

Maintain Richness of species/varieties/ traits Guardian of at least 1 unique/rare/ special/difficult to propagate

Adapt Rich ecological knowledge of diversity, heritability and selection

Selection of specific crop, varieties and trait adapted to local conditions; needs; adversity

Promote High frequency of exchange of seed and associated knowledge

Community members frequently cite source of seed from a particular node

Continuity Over time ensure land use system that harbor portfolio of species and varieties

Sets of traits maintained when old varieties are replaced

Transfer of knowledge and practice to younger generation

Ensure alternative options that under threat

Sources of Motivation

• personal (driven by passion or sensitivity regarding the need for conserving diversity to future generations; hobby)

• social (driven by the desire to conserve particularly relevant crops for festivity and food culture)

• economic (driven by the need for safeguarding diversity for economic options of the HH)

• agro-ecology (driven by the natural assets)• cultural (driven by the awareness regarding the

intimate link between genetic and cultural diversity)

Geographic Locations of Case Studies of Custodian Farmers

Methodology

Result: Who Maintains Diversity and How?

Custodian farmers of Malihabad site

Community Name of the farmer Number of varieties Kasmandi Kalan Mr Nawab Hasan 40

Mr Parmeshwar Sharma 30Mr Amir 24

Gopramau Mr Chhote Lal Kashyap 135Mr Jamuna Prasad 70Mr Tulsi Ram 30

Sarsanda Mr Rameshwar 45Mr Mohan Lal 35Mr Ram Asre 25

Mohammad Nagar Taluqedari

Mr Ramesh Chandra 09Rafeeq 10Mr Ram Chandra 08

Total 461

(Source: Rajan et al 2012, TFT Project)

Policy support of custodian farmers

Key issues

• How could we consolidate roles of CF as conserver, dynamic innovator and promoter of diversity?

• Could such custodian farmers be recognized as community gene bank and be publicly supported?

Key Questions• How could society continue to motivate

such farmers, generation after generation?

• Could custodian farmers contribute to a national conservation strategy?

• How policy could support for their roles in use and conservation?

So, the Purpose

1. to develop deeper understanding of the roles and functions of custodian farmers in conservation, use and dissemination of agricultural biodiversity;

2. to highlight their contribution to the national plant genetic resources system and overall sustainable agriculture development; and

3. to raise their visibility and recognition in the field of genetic resources management.

Specific Objectives

• Discuss and refine the concept and methodology to identify custodian farmers.

• Consolidate the role of custodian farmers for conservation and availability of/access to ABD through recognition, visibility and creating linkages (policy support).

• Formulate an action plan to support custodian farmers and recognize their contributions to the society.

Expected Outputs of the Workshop

• A draft strategy that contribute to work plans of ICAR-Bioversity International and other countries’ genebanks as a strategy for on-farm conservation.

• Methodology for identification and recognition

• Publication of a book or peer reviewed paper - Custodian farmers of tropical fruit tree diversity

Format of Workshop Methodology

A dynamic mix of • Brief self introduction of custodian farmers;• Short talks on a conceptual framework for

custodian farmers;• Country case studies, and experiences from

custodian farmers;• Expert opinions;• Sharing of overview results from profile

documentation;• Sharing outcome of questionnaire surveys to set

round-table discussions and interactive focus group workshops agenda;

• Action plans and publication

1-day Focus Interactive Group Discussions

Custodian farmers

1. Motivations (drivers)

2. Functions (roles)

3. Challenges

4. Support required

Suradet Tapuan