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Preface

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2009

Dominic Fuccillo
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas
Linda Sears
Affiliation:
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
Paul Stapleton
Affiliation:
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
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Summary

The Earth's natural resources are finite and vulnerable. Realization of this fact underlay the drafting of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The signature of the Convention by countries, both developed and developing, formalized their pledge to stem the rapid loss of biodiversity and sustain this vital resource for present and future generations.

Arguably, the most important component of biodiversity is the genetic diversity of plant species involved in food and agriculture - crops and forage species for livestock feed. This diversity created in farmers' fields over the millennia and by scientific research institutions over the last century is complemented by diversity present in wild relatives of the crop and forage species. Together, these genetic resources provide the raw material for further selection and improvement to meet the food security needs of the world's rapidly rising population.

Although technological advances in plant breeding and agricultural methods have led to dramatic increases in the amount and quality of food available today, it is estimated that more than 800 million people throughout the world do not have enough food to meet basic nutritional needs. The majority live in regions of the developing world where environmental and economic constraints impede their benefiting from technological advances.

To achieve global food security will require efforts on many fronts. The 16 Centres of the CGIAR share a mission to make their contribution through research on sustainable agriculture in developing countries.

Type
Chapter
Information
Biodiversity in Trust
Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources in CGIAR Centres
, pp. ix - x
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1997

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  • Preface
  • Edited by Dominic Fuccillo, University of Arkansas, Linda Sears, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Paul Stapleton, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
  • Book: Biodiversity in Trust
  • Online publication: 22 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511470851.001
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  • Preface
  • Edited by Dominic Fuccillo, University of Arkansas, Linda Sears, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Paul Stapleton, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
  • Book: Biodiversity in Trust
  • Online publication: 22 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511470851.001
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Preface
  • Edited by Dominic Fuccillo, University of Arkansas, Linda Sears, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Paul Stapleton, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
  • Book: Biodiversity in Trust
  • Online publication: 22 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511470851.001
Available formats
×