UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Major Groups

Submitting organization:

Affiliation:	- Workers and trade unions - Scientific and technology community - Farmers

Name of Focal Point:	Sofia Widforss

Initiative Title:	Use of genetic resources to promote sustainable rural livelihood in South Africa

Internet links:	http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/Y3970E/y3970e0b.htm http://www.iucnsa.org.za/

Scope:	National: - South Africa

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: 2000 End:

Lead Institution:	The World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Stakeholders/Partners:	The World Conservation Union is the world’s largest and most important conservation network. The Union brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.

Relevent issues:	- Community-based and indigenous approaches to food production - Research development

Objectives/Challenges:

The objectives are to:
- Generate understanding of agrobiodiversity policy issues and experiences in South Africa.
- Raise awareness of the value of indigenous resources in promoting rural livelihood.
- Commercialize indigenous breeds and how to provide for the rural communities to benefit from this.
- Provide recommendations to policy-makers in South Africa regarding the incentives that are required to encourage rural farmers to recognize the value of their indigenous breeds.
- Advocate for sustainable land use and promote a participatory approach to community-based natural resource management.
- Develop the capacity to facilitate the resolution of resource-based conflicts.

Challenges are food insecurity, land access, no agricultural extension support, lack of infrastructure and a perceived superiority of exotic breeds over indigenous.

Lessons Learned:

The value of many indigenous breeds, e.g. marginalized and neglected livestock breeds, must be recognized

Policy Options:

Clear timeframes for implementation, clear incentives that will encourage farmers to continue their farming with indigenous breeds, e.g. tax relief, policies should be developed in consultation with the stakeholders and not in boardrooms. Agricultural research on indigenous breeds should be financially supported by the government. Indigenous knowledge must be protected through property rights. Maintenance of gene banks should include indigenous varieties.

Summary:

A number of case studies were conducted in different parts of South Africa. They demonstrated the constraints and opportunities that prevail in rural communities with regard to the use and conservation of agrobiodiversity.
The studies revealed that rural communities were losing interest in indigenous breeds and had begun to farm in the same way as commercial farmers, i.e. using exotic breeds, which were perceived to be superior.
The findings of the research were presented at a national workshop where representatives of government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), farmers, research institutions, and the banking and marketing sectors were present, together with community leaders.