Agriculture: 75% of the genetic food has gone.
Posted by Blue Line ⋅ December 24, 2011 ⋅ Leave
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Environment, Food, News
BREAKING NEWS: Three-quarters of the genetic diversity in
agriculture have disappeared during the twentieth century, according to a study
released Sept. 7 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The FAO experts draw a parallel between the decline of the indigenous tribes
living space, globalization and the decline of biodiversity of food.
The context:
Organic farming emphasizes product quality and environmental
friendliness. It is grown on 30.5 million hectares, or 0.7% of the global
agricultural area. The FAO studies point out that in the past 10 000 species
were grown to feed the world but now, ” only 150 plants feed the majority of
mankind . ” By themselves, rice, wheat, corn and potatoes represent 60% of
energy from plants.
The challenge:
The FAO study highlights the progressive limitation of
agricultural genetic diversity worldwide, of which it recalls the original
wealth:
“The remote tribes of denser tropical forests and deserts of
ice have a rich range of safe and nutritious food – some with extraordinary
properties – that our wealthy societies can only envy,” it said in conclusion
of the book Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, published by FAO, in collaboration
with the CINE (Centre for Indigenous People’s Nutrition and Environment) from
McGill University.
The other conclusion of FAO experts is more disturbing: “As
wild habitats recede under economic pressures and globalization standardizes
lifestyles, these native foods are disappearing at high speed – and thus, the
food that ensured good health. “
- A standardized diet
The report cites several examples of ecosystems that are
particularly rich in terms of genetic diversity. In the Thai village of
Sanephong, Karen community has 387 crops for its 661 residents.
In contrast, the study observed the increasing trend of
Western countries to focus their power on four major crops: wheat, rice, corn
and soybeans (raw or transformed). This limitation is accompanied by a loss of
genetic diversity, “three quarters of the genetic diversity of agricultural
crops have disappeared in the last century,” FAO said.
- The negative health consequences
Barbara Burlingame, FAO expert in evaluation and nutritional
requirements states that “the alienation of traditional food sources in favor
of all prepared foods business is often accompanied by an increase in
disordered eating such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. “
In fact, the study shows that obesity is almost non-existed
in Awajun (Peru), where 93% of their energy needs are satisfied while the
people of Mand ( a Jat clan from Punjab, India ) covers only 27% of these
needs, suffers from several problems health.
The commitment of the international community:
Based on the observation that no country is self-sufficient
in energy resources, FAO has established an International Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 127 countries have already ratified
the treaty . To promote biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, and to ensure
their fair and equitable sharing, the treaty allowed the establishment of a
gene bank consisting of 64 global food crops.
In June, Tunis, and eleven developing countries * were
rewarded for for their conservation projects of genes and genetic resources
which are vital to feed the world. FAO hopes to help indigenous people to find
new markets for their food production and their medicinal plants.
* Egypt, Kenya, Costa Rica, India, Peru, Senegal, Uruguay,
Nicaragua, Cuba, Tanzania, Morocco.
Abdullah Al Abbadi
Source: FAO Sept. 7 . 2011
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