Looking Forward: Role of AKST in Meeting Development and Sustainability Goals | 141

Food and Agriculture if they have not already done so. Its objectives are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security.

CWANA countries are to benefit from IPGRI efforts that support the conservation and use of neglected and underutilized crop species. IPGRI assesses the diversity and conservation status of a wide range of neglected crops through participatory regional programs, and implements activities to enhance both these varieties and their marketing. Neglected and underused crop species—also known as orphan crops—have been overlooked by scientific research and by development workers, despite the fact that they play a crucial role in food security, income generation and food culture for the rural poor. This lack of attention means that the potential value of these crops goes unrealized. It also places them in danger of continued genetic erosion and ultimate disappearance, further restricting development options for the poor. IPGRI is attempting to safeguard the genetic resources and associated knowledge through ex situ and in situ conservation across the CWANA region in areas where their genetic diversity is highest, like in Turkmenistan, Syria and Tunisia. In addition, IPGRI is improving its understanding of the agromorphological and market-driven traits and exchange of materials and experiences across countries, which will strengthen country capacity in commercializing and promoting the multiple uses of such crops.

The goal of ICARDA’s Genetic Resource Unit is to conserve and use the biodiversity of ICARDA’s mandate crops: wheat, barley, lentil, kabuli chickpea, fava bean, and pasture and forage species and their associated rhizobia. Its gene bank serves as a repository for a world collection of these crops and their wild relatives; crops that are of vital importance, not only to the CWANA region, but to the world at large.

With regard to conserving the diversity of threatened and wild fish species, different international organizations working with fisheries such as FAO have made efforts to change the criteria for adding new marine species to the list of endangered species. Fishery authorities in the countries concerned were also encouraged to participate in the convention in related subjects. Marine protected areas are well placed to conserve fish biodiversity as they can protect critical habitats. The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in, 1995 with the main objectives of conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components. This convention plays an important role in conserving aquatic biodiversity. The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF, also ratified in 1995) is another important tool for conserving aquatic biodiversity. Both CBD and CCRF have similar articles regarding the introduction of alien species. Both treaties encourage countries to notify their neighbors about any introduction and to establish a database or information system regarding introduction of aquatic organisms. They both also encourage the countries to monitor the aquatic environment and conserve genetic diversity. Countries should develop a code of best practices for responsible introduction of alien species.

Other actions that could be envisaged at CWANA country level to foster the conservation of biodiversity:

 
  • Developing national genetic resources legislation
  • Establishing an IPR system
  • Placing NBSAPs in the mainstream of the national development plans of the country
  • Synergizing implementation of CBD action plans and other conventions such as UNCCD and the UN Convention on Climate Change
  • Becoming party to the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol to safeguard against GMO release through transboundary movement

5.2.3 Capacity development and knowledge management

Insofar as scientific and technical progress in the region is concerned, a number of trends and opportunities have occurred: the adoption of new technologies, particularly biotechnology and ICT, privatization of state-owned enterprises and trade liberalization, a greater role for development agencies in agricultural and rural economies, and increased international collaboration through the ecoregional approach and South-to-South programs (IPGRI, 2001).

Advances in scientific knowledge across a broad range of disciplines will be required to develop more and better food and fiber products with improved nutritional quality, to reduce food and commodity yield losses due to pests and diseases; ensure healthy livestock, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and forestry sectors; manage water more efficiently; prevent and reverse land degradation; and conserve and manage genetic diversity (El-Beltagy, 2005).

A focused and appropriate research agenda is required to meet these challenges that are supported by public investment. Unfortunately, public investment in agricultural research and development is declining, while private sector investment is increasing in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). Private sector investments tend to focus on commodities produced for OECD markets and often neglect the needs of the poor. Thus increased investment by the private sector will not meet the demand for diversified agricultural products and improved rural livelihoods via the required multisectoral approach that covers economic, environmental, ethical and social considerations.

Given the decline in public sector investment in developing countries at a time when the challenges to apply science and technology are urgent, there is a need to consider carefully the agenda for future agricultural research and development efforts. This agenda must also include public debates on controversial issues such as the development and deployment of genetically modified organisms and other aspects of modern biotechnology (Thomas et al., 2003).

In a study conducted by the World Bank and FAO in ten developing countries (Rivera et al., 2005) including three CWANA countries: Egypt, Morocco, and Pakistan, it was concluded that these countries do not yet appear to possess a totally integrated and operative agriculture knowledge and information system (AKIS), although all appear to want to move in that direction and be making significant progress. Agricultural education, research and extension still tend to operate as three separate systems (or subsystems).

In the following section we address capacity development options to support sharing, exchanging and dissemifor