FAO: Promoting the use of biotechnology by family farms to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.

A new FAO publication explores the role of biotechnology, from breeding to pathogens, in small-scale farming, livestock and fish production

harvest Jian carp.

2013 rome, 29 October-A new FAO publication calls for increased national and international support to teach agricultural biotechnologies to small producers in developing countries.

This is entitled 《 biotechnology for Smallholder Production: Case Studies of Crops, Livestock and Fish in Developing Countries the publication insists that biotechnology can help smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods and food security.

Biotechnology for Smallholder Production contains 19 case studies on crops, livestock and fisheries, prepared by scientists and researchers from around the world. It describes the realities and experiences of biotechnology research in different parts of developing countries and its application to smallholder production such as bananas, cassava, rice, livestock and shrimp.

These case studies cover a number of biotechnologies, including older or "traditional" biotechnologies such as artificial fertilization and fermentation, as well as cutting-edge technologies based on DNA rather than transgenic methods.

The publication was prepared by a multidisciplinary team from FAO as part of an agricultural biotechnology project activity funded by the Government of Canada.

"With the right institutional and financial arrangements, governments, research institutions and organizations can help to transfer biotechnology to smallholder farmers and increase their capacity to respond to challenges such as climate change, plant and animal pests and diseases, and overuse of natural resources," said Andrea Sonino, Chief of FAO's Research and Extension Section.

Case Study

there were four case studies from India, two from China, and one each from Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand.

The researchers used their knowledge of DNA markers to develop a waterlogging-tolerant rice variety in India that could yield 1-3 tonnes per hectare more under flood conditions than previously used varieties. This new variety called "Swarna-Sub1" was quickly promoted after its release in 2009 and was adopted by 3 million farmers in 2012.

"In short, waterlogging-tolerant varieties provide an opportunity to improve and stabilize yields in flood-stricken areas and play an important role in ensuring national food security," said Uma Singh, who prepared the case study at the International Rice Research Institute, and his colleagues.

In China, Jian carp is a breed developed using intraparty breeding and gynogenesis (a breeding technique that results in whole-female offspring containing only maternal genes). At present, there are about 160000 fish farms breeding Jian carp, accounting for more than 50% of China's carp production.

In northern Cameroon, the use of DNA diagnostic tools has enabled veterinary authorities to rapidly diagnose outbreaks of Peste des petits ruminants in the field. Peste des petits ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease affecting goats and sheep. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease means that authorities can eliminate the outbreak in time to stop the spread of this deadly disease to other herds.

"Without this rapid response mechanism, thousands of sheep would have died during the outbreak, resulting in millions of CFA francs in losses," affirmed Wade and Soule of the National Veterinary Laboratory in Cameroon.

The editors of the publication believe that biotechnology can improve livelihoods related to crops, livestock and fish by increasing yields and facilitating market access. The adoption of new and traditional biotechnologies on family farms can also reduce production costs and improve the sustainable management of natural resources.

Lessons learned

the publication presents lessons learned from these case studies to inform decision makers and to assist them in making decisions on programmes involving biotechnology. Important lessons include the need for political State commitment to increase smallholder productivity and improve livelihoods; financial support from non-governmental sources to complement State efforts; and long-term State investment in scientific and technological personnel and infrastructure.

The publication also notes that international and national partnerships are key to ensuring effectiveness, as is the sharing of genetic resources, technology and knowledge at the national and global levels.

The publication also emphasizes that smallholder farmers should be involved in the entire process, given their knowledge, skills and initiatives.

http://www.fao.org/news/story/zh/item/203672/icode/

man of Feeding