David Kaimowitz, ex Director General of CIFOR, and Douglas Shiel, have written a paper that asks Conserving What and for Whom? Why Conservation Should Help Meet Basic Human Needs in the Tropics. It argues strongly for “pro-poor conservation”. The thousands of species on which poor people depend for their basic needs and livelihoods are more deserving of conservation and protection than many of the current favourites among conservationists. Unfortunately, the paper seems to be behind a paywall. Fortunately, Mongabay has an extended post about it.
Nigerian President has rice initiative
I found a story in today’s Vanguard, a Nigerian news site, that could serve as a case study to illustrate the complexities of the interaction between conservation and use of plant genetic resources. Government imposes levy on rice imports, and launches a Presidential Initiative, no less, on Rice Production, Processing and Export. High-yielding varieties — including the famous NERICA — are multiplied and made available to farmers. A “rice value chain” linking farmers, parboilers, millers, traders etc. is facilitated. A project called Promoting Pro-Poor Opportunities in Commodity and Service Markets (PropCom) is launched, funded by Britain’s DFID, “a market-driven intervention programme that facilitates initiatives which enable the production of quality local rice in sufficient quantities that can compete with imported rice and benefit the poor stakeholders.”
I have two questions for the students who will no doubt be given this case study to ponder in years to come. Is all this good or bad for rice genetic diversity? And will it be good or bad for rice farmers in the long run?
Marine genetic resources
More on marine genetic resources, from Earth Negotiations Bulletin.
Access and benefit sharing in Namibia
Roundup on the status of access and benefit sharing legislation in Namibia.
Ugandan discussions
Ugandan minister of Agriculture Hilary Onek has been talking to Chinese officials about increased Chinese investment in modernizing Uganda’s agriculture. Onek’s main desire seems to be to increase the use of fertilizers and certain types of high-yielding seed. It sounds like the same old same old, with no thought for either traditional smallholder expertise or their approach to new technology. But maybe all that hi-tech investment really is what Uganda and China need.