Category: Indigenous knowledge systems

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Up is the new down

Further to Luigi’s trend-setting (and spotting) piece positing that an economic downturn could mean an upturn for agricultural biodiversity, I note from our friend Danny Hunter’s blog that LEISA is asking its local partners a couple of germane questions:

What are the effects of the global economic crisis that you see in your own environment, at the level of target groups (e.g. food prices, changes in agriculture, availability of credit, etc…)?

Does it affect the functioning of your own organisations or networks? How?

Answers are coming in, and LEISA is continuing the discussion on an open forum. Anyone care to fillet the answers for agrobiodiversity-specific information?

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Agrobiodiversity in trouble in Cameroon

Ivo Arrey Mbongaya of the African Centre for Community and Development in Cameroon has a blog on the Eldis Community and has recently discussed threats to two different sorts of agricultural biodiversity in his country. Apparently, goat rearing is in decline, because of the disappearance of grazing land, harsh policies about strays and the lack of veterinary services. He doesn’t say if a local breed is involved, however, and does make reference to “efforts by Heifer Cameroon to distribute cheap animals.”

Also in trouble is “eru,” or Gnetum africanum, a shrub whose leaves are consumed as a green vegetable. Unsustainable harvesting and land use changes are taking their toll, and Ivo recommends taking the plant into domestication.There’s been some work on that by ICRAF and others.

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Economic downturn means agrobiodiversity upturn?

Two pieces on what the recession is doing to agriculture in dear old Blighty. Putting it back in the hands of the people, it seems, in the form of revitalized allotments and community supported farming. It will be interesting to see what these trends will mean for agricultural biodiversity, if anyone is monitoring that is. One would think they should lead to increased diversity — of practices, crops and varieties. Thanks to Danny for the tips.

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