The continued use of modern seed varieties by small-scale farmers could eventually lead to the loss of traditional varieties that are more resilient to climate change.
According to new research findings, indigenous communities in developing countries who lack adequate mitigation measures against the challenges of climate change are the most affected.
The study was conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), in collaboration with several organisations in Kenya, China, India and Panama.
“Corporate seed companies are promoting modern seed varieties over traditional varieties which are crucial in adapting to climate change,” said Krystna Swiderska, a research fellow with IIED.
The institute says in a paper released last week that unless urgent measures are taken to stop the continued spread of modern agriculture and monocrops as well as safeguard and support the remaining areas under traditional farming, the fight against climate change will be lost.
“We risk losing remaining pockets of genetic diversity which could provide solutions to climate change impacts,” Ms Swiderska said.
Over the years, small scale farmers have domesticated, conserved and improved thousands of crop varieties, which contain valuable traits like drought and pest resistance and which continue to be adapted to changing local conditions.
According to statistics from Food and Agriculture Organisation, small scale farmers provide more than 90 per cent of Africa’s agricultural production, meaning that if the right forms of farming are not embraced, Africa’s vision of attaining food security could remain a pipe dream.
It is estimated that three quarters of crop diversity has been lost over the past century as a result of widespread adoption of modern crops.
A recent report assessing the state of world biodiversity, notes that crop and livestock genetic diversity continues to decline in agricultural systems. For example, more than 60 breeds of livestock are reported to have become extinct since 2000.
