SciDev.Net reports on the recent meeting of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources in Tunis 1-5 June 2009: “Years of deadlock between developed and developing nations on seed sharing have been broken with an agreement to set up a fund to help poor farmers preserve the world’s biodiversity…” Read on

Farmers as entrepreneurs

Small-scale farmers and their support institutions are becoming more convinced that there is little future for them unless they become more entrepreneurial in their approach to farming. Which means that they produce increasingly for markets – local, regional as well as global, and with a profit motive. There’s nothing new about rural entrepreneurship. But the challenges faced by family farms in the South right now are unique in scope and scale. What options are there for small-scale farmers to become more entrepreneurial?

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Ethnobotany of Pohnpei examines the relationship between plants, people, and traditional culture on Pohnpei, one of the four island members of the Federated States of Micronesia. Traditional culture is still very strong on Pohnpei and is biodiversity-dependent, relying on both its pristine habitats and managed landscapes; native and introduced plants and animals; and extraordinary marine life. This book is the result of a decade of research by a team of local people and international specialists carried out under the direction of the Mwoalen Wahu Ileilehn Pohnpei (Pohnpei Council of Traditional Leaders). It discusses the uses of the native and introduced plant species that have sustained human life on the island and its outlying atolls for generations, including Piper methysticum (locally known as sakau and recognized throughout the Pacific as kava), which is essential in defining cultural identity for Pohnpeians. The work also focuses on ethnomedicine, the traditional medical system used to address health conditions, and its associated beliefs.

Published in association with The New York Botanical Garden March 2009
ISBN 978-0-8248-3293-3 / $28.00 (PAPER)

Here the University of Hawaii Press link to the book’s webpage: www.uhpress.hawaii.edu

Here the link to a notice on the University of Hawaii Press blog: uhpress.wordpress.com

The Global Crop Diversity Trust enters into a longterm grant agreement with Secretariat of the Pacific Community to safeguard collections of yam and edible aroids. The agreement comes into effect as the Secretariat signs International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and places collection into the Treaty’s multilateral system.

Read more at papgren.blogspot.com/…

Geneflow is an annual magazine that contributes to promoting awareness of the importance of the Earth’s agricultural biodiversity and the role it plays in improving people’s lives and livelihoods. It is produced by Bioversity International, but carries stories from all around the globe, from a wide range of sources including national, regional and international development agencies, non-governmental organizations and research workers.

Download the publication (3 MB) from bioversityinternational.org

Now Geneflow is looking for contributions to “Geneflow 2009″

Dear Colleagues:

We are gathering story ideas for the 2009 Geneflow. I would be grateful for any story ideas you might have.
Please send in your story ideas by June 30th at the very latest.
This year the feature section will focus on Guardians of Diversity- individuals who have dedicated their lives to conserving agricultural biodiversity. However, don’t feel you have to limit yourselves–we’ve got an extensive news section as well. I would especially appreciate stories that highlight the work of your partners.
Please remember that your stories must be accompanied with high quality digital images.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
All the best
Ruth (email hidden; JavaScript is required)