A special orchard, containing rare species of fruit trees, is being planted in Worcestershire. England. The 2 ha orchard is being planted with around 170 trees of different traditional varieties of fruit that were grown in the Wyre Forest.

It is hoped that the “gene bank” orchard will ensure the survival of rare fruit trees for future generations. …

Read from BBC web site about this clicking here

This news item comes from a post on FAO’s NWFP (Non Wood Forest Products) -Digest

I recall about the Association Archeologia Arborea that is doing similar work

This is a contribution to saving threatened varieties that provide precious germplasm, tastes not to be lost, provide important contributions to biodiversity and much more.

Let us know about other good stories like this one you are aware about.

Here is a new book on the diversity and ethnobotany of taro (Colocasia esculenta), one of the world’s most ancient food crops

We were particularly impressed by the chapter of Peter J. Metthews, an excell

ent account of taro’s history, with much useful information on its earliest uses over 20,000 years BP, a comprehensive section on taro’s nutritional qualities, the methods employed to remove anti-nutri tional factors, and the food culture associated with taro.

Highly recommended!

The Abstract (copied further down) and the link to downlaod plus other information is available on Bioveristy International’s web site here

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Abstract:

Taro is a staple crop for several hundred million small farmers and planters throughout the tropical world. Often associated with Asia and Pacific, it is also important in the Americas and Africa. This book explores the diversity of taros and their uses as well as the status of  taro genetic resources in all the major geographic regions where it is grown. While new market opportunities and taro’s versatility are responsible for its growing popularity in markets, diseases and climate change also pose ever greater threats to its production and distribution. By taking a global approach to the crop, the authors highlight ways to address new outbreaks of pathogens such as the Taro leaf blight in Africa. Diversity in cultivars is also important in coping and adapting to climate change especially when genetic diversity science and farmer knowledge can be brought together.

Abstract

Traditionally farmers use diverse crops, trees and wild plant species, livestock and aquatic species to sustain/enhance their livelihood. The use of diverse species and varieties enhances their adaptability and resilience capacity to changing environmental and economic conditions. Genetic diversity is a key element in farmers’ livelihood strategies particularly in areas under high ecological, climatic and economic stresses and risks. Global food security has become increasingly dependent on a limited number of varieties of a few major crops and in the wake of climate change, such a situation makes farmers more vulnerable with regard to their nutrition and income security. This paper aims to discuss the conceptual framework of on-farm/in situ conservation in adapting and mitigating climate change through an integrated system of diversified food production and land use. The role of on-farm/in situ conservation of crops is discussed along with its complementary advantages over ex situ conservation. Empowerment of farming communities is essential for effective in situ/on-farm conservation as the process encourages local level decision making on management of genetic resources. The paper also highlights community-based biodiversity management as a methodology to realize in situ/on-farm conservation through strengthening farmer seed systems, and promoting climate resilient integrated home garden production systems, especially underutilized crop species and carbon rich farming that support climate change actions. Implementation of biodiversity management approaches will require conducive policy environment in order to be truly effective and sustainable. Some relevant recommendations on how to best proceed towards a viable in situ/on – farm conservation system are also proposed.

Authors: Sthapit, B.; Padulosi, S.; Mal, M.

Click here to download the file:
Role of on-farm/In situ conservation and underutilized crops in the wake of climate change

This paper has been presented in the National Symposium on Recent Global Developments in the Management of Plant Genetic Resources, NBPGR, New Delhi, India, 17–18 December 2009.

From an article appearing on Bioversity International web site

Minor millets [ little millet (Panicum sumatrense), finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica) ] are providing opportunities for resource poor farmers in India allowing adaptation options, better income and nutrition patterns.

Read about it here: Newly published research papers reveal the potential of minor millets to improve people’s lives in southern India

A book on food relocalisation and knowledge dynamics in rural development

Quoting from the From a review on the publisher’s website, where you find more information about this recently published book

Reviews: ‘The book is one of the most succesful attempts of the last years to highlight the relevance of local resources to strategies of sustainable rural development for Europe. While it provides a sound and innovative theoretical framework, the book shows an impressive amount of empirical evidence, covering countries and regions often neglected in the international literature.‘
Gianluca Brunori, University of Pisa, Italy