Agrobiodiversity Hostspots in São Paulo: Public Policies for the Conservation and Quality of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in São Paulo".

• Grant number: 24/15369-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Rural Extension
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Fachini
• Grantee: Cristina Fachini
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Victor Augusto Forti

Abstract

The conservation of genetic resources for agriculture and food through in-situ and on-farm management has gained significant attention on the international agenda since the creation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Despite the current recognition of its importance, family farmers and traditional communities, who are the guardians of locally adapted, creole, or traditional varieties, have faced threats to the diversity of their crops. These threats include the loss of genetic integrity due to contamination by genetically modified organisms and issues related to seed health and quality.This project aims to support the implementation of public policies associated with the conservation of creole, traditional, and local plant varieties (as defined in item XVI of Article 2 of Law No. 10.711 of August 5, 2003 - BRAZIL, 2003) in the state of São Paulo. It is grounded in a legal framework that focuses on the recently enacted National Policy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources for Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (BRAZIL, 2024, - Art. 4, Art. 5 VI, X, XIII, and Art. 6 § 4), as well as the State Policy for Agroecology and Organic Production - PEAPO (SÃO PAULO, 2018, Article 5 III and IV), both of which have intersecting actions.In partnership with researchers, public managers, and civil society representatives, the project aims to map genetic diversity centers in the state of São Paulo. It seeks to identify and diagnose the conservation status and diversity of plant genetic materials conserved on-farm in the state, develop diversity indicators associated with the specific attributes of species listed in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (TIRFAA), and identify those facing threats or risks to their conservation-termed Agrobiodiversity Hotspots in this project (Myers, Mittermeier, Mittermeier, 2000).The proposal also aims to establish a quality program for conserving local, traditional, or creole varieties on-farm, focusing on creating a guide to good practices, offering training, and setting up seed houses to maintain genetic integrity and prevent contamination of these materials (Brazil, 2024; São Paulo, 2018). This effort aligns with the quality standards outlined in CONAB's Operations Manual (CONAB, 2024) for purchasing seeds with simultaneous donation (CDS) under the Food Acquisition Program - PAA (Brazil, 2023).Additionally, the project intends to enhance access for traditional communities and family farmers to ex-situ genetic banks maintained by public research institutions. This will involve modeling and systematizing processes, promoting seminars, and providing training sessions that inform these communities about the locations, contacts, and methods for multiplying and returning local, traditional, or creole varieties stored ex-situ in São Paulo. These actions are also supported by the legislation mentioned above.Finally, these actions aim to provide a foundation for implementing the On-Farm Conservation of Genetic Resources Program, as provided for in the National Policy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources for Food, Agriculture, and Livestock in the state of São Paulo (Brazil, 2024). (AU)