Description

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Context :

The 20th meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture (CGRFA-20) was held in Rome.
Here, 3rd Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture was released.
About the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture (CGRFA):
- Establishment: The Commission was created by the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1983.
- Exclusive Role: It is the only permanent intergovernmental body dedicated to addressing biological diversity for food & agriculture (GRFA).
- Headquarters: it is located in Rome, Italy.
- Membership: The Commission has 179 member countries including India & the European Union.
- Sessions: Its Regular sessions are held every 2 years.
- Purpose: its primary purpose is to discuss, negotiate, & make decisions regarding genetic resources for food & agriculture.
Key Achievements:
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture (ITPGRFA): it Facilitated the adoption of the ITPGRFA in 2001. It also acknowledges farmers contributions to crop diversity & establishes a global system for accessing plant genetic materials.
- Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources (GPA): The CGRFA initiated work on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) in 1997. It is resulting in the GPA adopted in 2007.
State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture (SoW-PGRFA):
- The SoW PGRFA report provides an deep assessment of the conservation, use, & status of plant genetic resources at global, regional, & national It is published by the FAO.
- Farmers’ Varieties & Landraces (FV/LRs): These traditional crops are genetically diverse, locally adapted, & resilient to environmental changes. It is contributing significantly to biodiversity, food security & climate resilience.
- Examples of FV/LRs:
  - Kala Namak Rice (Uttar Pradesh): Drought resistant scented rice variety.
  - Chapati Wheat (Madhya Pradesh): High protein traditional wheat.
  - Rajnigandha Cotton (Maharashtra): Drought tolerant cotton variety.
- 3rd Report (2025) Key Insights:
  - Crop Concentration: 60% of the global food supply comes from just 9 crops: sugarcane, maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, oil palm, sugar beet, & cassava.
  - Threatened Genetic Diversity:
    - 6% of farmers' varieties (FV/LRs) are at risk globally with some regions facing losses of over 18%.
    - High Risk Regions: Southern Africa, Caribbean, & Western Asia are experiencing the most significant genetic diversity loss.
  - India’s Scenario: 50% of documented farmers varieties & landraces across 5 agro ecological zones in India are under threat.

About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):

● The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is an agency of the United Nations (UN).

● It was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.

● It has 195 members (194 countries + the European Union).

● India joined the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945 as one of its founding members

● The FAO is governed by a biennial conference. It elects a 49 member executive council.

Core Mandates and Activities:

● The FAO leads global efforts to improve nutrition and food security.

● It works with governments and various agencies to coordinate actions. These actions aimed at developing & managing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, & land & water resources.

Key activities include:

● It conducts research and it also provides technical assistance for agricultural development.

● It provide educational and training programs.

● It collects and disseminates data on agricultural production, output, & development.

Flagship Publications:

● The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets

● The State of Food and Agriculture (Published annually)

● The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World

● The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

● The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

● The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources

● The State of the World’s Forests

● The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture

● The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

● The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture

● Status of the World’s Soil Resources

Conclusion:

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture plays a vital role in addressing global challenges related to biodiversity conservation, food security and sustainable agriculture.

Source: DTE

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the role of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) in conserving the biodiversity of plant and animal genetic resources for food & agriculture. How does the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture report contribute to global conservation efforts? 250 words