Biodiversity is both life and the source of life on planet Earth. Agricultural biodiversity is one of the most valuable resources managed by farmers, especially in developing countries, to sustain and enhance their livelihoods. The dependence of resource-poor farmers on agricultural biodiversity, forest and other natural resources makes biodiversity a lifeline for these farmers. It protects these farmers against uncertainty in production environments and the impacts of climate changes. However, due to changes in technological innovation, production systems, lifestyle and consumption patterns and other socio-political factors, the genetic resource base is narrowing and biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. The goal of this programme is to secure livelihoods of marginal and resource poor farmers through sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity.

The focus areas of the programme theme are as follows:

• Enhancement of local genetic resources through selection of desired traits, participatory plant breeding, grass-root breeding and quality seed management
• Value addition and marketing of local genetic resources, with special focus on under-utilised and neglected crops and livestock breeds
• Promotion of food-based nutrition and dietary diversity
• Promotion of community-based biodiversity management through capacity building of farmers, rural institutions and stakeholders
• Policy and social research for advocacy and institutionalisation of biodiversity conservation as a strategy for sustainable livelihoods

Ongoing Projects :

View list of completed projects