Choosing indigenous breeds for development

Description

Choosing indigenous breeds for development involves prioritizing locally adapted animal and plant varieties in agricultural and environmental initiatives. This strategy aims to enhance resilience, productivity, and sustainability by leveraging breeds naturally suited to local conditions, thus reducing dependency on external inputs and mitigating risks from disease and climate change. It remedies genetic erosion, supports food security, and preserves cultural heritage by maintaining biodiversity and empowering local communities through the use of their traditional resources.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends selecting indigenous populations on the basis of regional importance and genetic uniqueness, for a 10-year programme, followed by selection of an additional cohort of indigenous breeds for development.