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The In Situ Conservation of Rice Plant Genetic Diversity: A Case Study from a Philippine Barangay

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Abstract

The conservation of rice plant genetic diversity is particularly important for resource-poor farmers in economically marginal areas of the Philippines. This paper discusses the state of rice plant genetic diversity in the Philippines and the reasons behind the decrease in diversity witnessed over the last 30 years. A case study describes the in situ management of rice plant genetic diversity by resource-poor farmers from the Philippine island of Bohol, throughout the traditional, green revolution, and post-green revolution periods. This analysis demonstrates that farmers tend to favor genetically heterogeneous varieties that adapt to varied environments. The case study also reviews an NGO-sponsored agricultural biodiversity project that demonstrates that rice plant genetic diversity can be increased by empowering farmers – providing them with access to varieties, knowledge of varietal trials, varietal selection, and varietal breeding, as well as increasing the linkages they have with other farmers and institutions.

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Abbreviations

CDBC:

Community Development and Biodiversity Conservation Program

CFPRA:

Campagao Farmers Production and Research Association

CVSCAFT:

Central Visayas State College of Agriculture Forestry and Technology

DA:

Department of Agriculture (Philippines)

FBV:

Farmer Bred Variety

FV:

Farmer Variety

HYV:

High Yielding Variety

IRRI:

International Rice Research Institute

MAO:

Municipal Agricultural Office

MV:

Modern Variety

SEARICE:

Southeast Asia Regional Initiative for Community Empowerment

TV:

Traditional Variety

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Ecology Program, School of Resources, Environment and Society, Australian National University, Building 48(a), Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 0200, Australia

    David Carpenter

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  1. David Carpenter
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Correspondence to David Carpenter.

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David Carpenter is a PhD candidate in the School of Resources, Environment and Society at the Australian National University. His current research focuses on organic rice farming, social capital, and agricultural change in the Philippines. He recently published an article in Agriculture and Human Values 20(2) on the transition from high input agriculture to organic agriculture by resource-poor farmers from the Philippine Island of Bohol.

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Carpenter, D. The In Situ Conservation of Rice Plant Genetic Diversity: A Case Study from a Philippine Barangay. Agric Hum Values 22, 421–434 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-005-3397-5

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