Crop Diversity Management System Commons: Revisiting the Role of Genebanks in the Network of Crop Diversity Actors

Louafi, Sélim; Thomas, Mathieu; Berthet, Elsa; Pélissier, Flora; Vaing, Killian; Jankowski, Frédérique; Bazile, Didier; Pham, Jean‐Louis; Leclercq, Morgane

doi:10.3390/agronomy11091893

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…in the development of the Extended Specimen Network in the US, which interestingly considers DSI on a much broader basis than purely genomic sequences (Lendemer et al 2020). Other scholars evolving within the Commons conceptual framework, suggested alternative crop diversity management systems (Louafi et al 2021). In this framework, shifting relationships between farmers, multipliers, breeders and genebanks are proposed to help address the stewardship and capabilities imbalance in the seed systems (Wynberg et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genebanking plant genetic resources in the postgenomic era

Aubry

2023

Agric Hum Values

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Genebanking, the process of preserving genetic resources, is a central practice in the modern management of crop genetics, especially for the species used for food and agriculture. Closely interrelated networks of local, national and global actors are responsible for ex situ conservation. They all seek to make plant genetic resources accessible for all and now face new challenges arising from digitisation. Plant sciences are entering the postgenomic era, moving fast from initially providing a single reference genome for each species (genomics), to harnessing the extent of diversity within crop species (pangenomics) and among their relatives (referred to as postgenomics). This paper describes the extent to which ex situ collections have already undergone a digital shift, or are planning to do so, and the potential impact of this postgenomic-induced dematerialisation on the global governance of plant genetic resources. In turn, digitising material (seed) collection changes the relationship between genebanks and genomic databases. Comprehensive genomic characterisation of genebank accessions is ongoing, and I argue here that these efforts may provide a unique opportunity for genebanks to further embrace the moral, ethical and ultimately political principles on which they were built. Repurposing genebanks as decentralised digital biocentres could help relocate capabilities and stewardship over genetic resources. Empowering local farmers by providing access, promoting the use and unlocking benefits from state-of-the-art tools of modern plant breeding may allow bridging the breeding divide. However, to accomplish such a paradigm shift, genebanks require a strong political mandate that must primarily originate from the access and benefit-sharing framework. Only so may the global challenges associated with the loss of biodiversity and food insecurity be addressed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genebanking plant genetic resources in the postgenomic era

Aubry

2023

Agric Hum Values

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“…Some take an “ownership approach” to farmers’ and peasants’ rights, formulating them in direct opposition to the breeders’ rights protected by IPRs, while others take a “stewardship approach”, emphasizing that crop diversity in all its forms should be governed as a public good ( 131 , 139 ). Others, thinking outside the box of international biodiversity and IPR treaties and instruments, argue for “commoning” all forms of crop diversity management through collaborative network approaches to seed governance ( 140 – 142 ). Similarly, some breeders and organizations promote “Open Source Seed” pledges on new varieties as a means to maintain open access to germplasm ( 143 , 144 ).…”

Section: Seed Governancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is thus important to maintain and promote diversity of both crops and actors and actively counteract the diversity bottlenecks that can be caused by power concentration at different stages in the system. A promising approach to ensure coordination and maintain focus on overarching public good goals is the formation of collaborative networks or multistakeholder platforms with the participation of public institutions, NGOs, seed companies, farmer groups, and seed entrepreneurs ( 121 , 140 ).…”

Section: Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Navigating toward resilient and inclusive seed systems

Westengen

Dalle

Mulesa

2023

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Food systems face new climatic and socioecological challenges and farmers need a diversity of new plant varieties to respond to these. While plant breeding is important, institutional innovations in seed systems are critical to ensure that new traits and varieties make their way into farmers’ fields. This Perspective reviews the state of knowledge on seed system development, outlining insights emerging from the literature that can help navigate the way forward. We synthesize evidence on the contributions and limitations of the different actors, activities, and institutions pertaining to all seed systems smallholder farmers use, formal and informal. To do so, we structure our analysis on three functions—variety development and management, seed production, and seed dissemination—and two contextual factors—seed governance and food system drivers—that can be used to describe any seed system. Our review reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the activities of different actors along the entire chain of functions and demonstrates the multifaceted efforts to strengthen seed systems. We document that a new agenda for seed system development is taking root, based on the view that formal and farmers’ seed systems are complementary. Because needs differ from crop to crop, farmer to farmer, and between agroecological and food system contexts, a variety of pathways are needed to ensure farmers’ seed security. While the complexity of seed systems eludes a simple roadmap, we conclude by planting a “signpost” with principles to guide efforts to develop resilient and inclusive seed systems.

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“…In the context of protecting agrobiodiversity, the conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) has become an important pillar whereby ex situ conservation realized off-site in genebanks is the principal approach [1,2]. In about 1750 genebanks and collections, nearly 7.4 million plant accessions are maintained worldwide [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genebanks at Risk: Hazard Assessment and Risk Management of National and International Genebanks

Herbold,

Engels

2023

Plants

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Genebanks are crucial for safeguarding global crop diversity but are themselves exposed to several risks. However, a scientific basis for identifying, assessing, and managing risks is still lacking. Addressing these research gaps, this study provides risk analysis for three key risk groups: natural hazards, political risks, and financial risks, carried out on a sample of 80 important national and international genebanks, comprising at least 4.78 million accessions or roughly 65% of the reported total of ex situ conserved accessions worldwide. The assessment tool of Munich Re “Natural Hazards Edition” allowed a location-specific comparison of the natural hazard exposure. Results showed that genebanks in the Asia-Pacific region are most exposed to natural hazards, while institutions in African and some Asian countries are rather vulnerable to political risks. Financing is a major problem for national genebanks in developing countries, whereas the Global Crop Diversity Trust achieved considerable financial security for international genebanks. Large differences in the risk exposure of genebanks exist, making a location- and institution-specific risk assessment indispensable. Moreover, there is significant room for improvement with respect to quality and risk management at genebanks. Transferring risks of genebanks to third parties is underdeveloped and should be used more widely.

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Crop Diversity Management System Commons: Revisiting the Role of Genebanks in the Network of Crop Diversity Actors

Cited by 9 publications

References 49 publications

Genebanking plant genetic resources in the postgenomic era

Genebanking plant genetic resources in the postgenomic era

Navigating toward resilient and inclusive seed systems

Genebanks at Risk: Hazard Assessment and Risk Management of National and International Genebanks

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