Domesticating Indigenous Crop Species
ENTRY DATE: 16.04.2015 | LAST UPDATE: 16.04.2015
CATEGORIES:
- Agriculture
- Sustainable crop management
TECHNOLOGIES MATURITY:
Applicable immediately
Technology Owners:
Farmers
Needs Address
- Food security
- Stabilised and/or increased productivity
Adaptation effects
- Allows use of locally appropriate crops that grow well despite shifting seasons
- Reduces impact from disease due to local varieties being disease tolerant
- Improved livelihoods
- Provides incomes and participation in markets
Overview and Features
Domestication of local crops/indigenous variety with natural tolerance
Cost
Harvesting costs
Energy source
Human labour
Ease of maintenance
- Continuous cropping cycles needed for domestication
- Crops should grow well as they are suited to these specific conditions
Technology performance
Indigenous crops are suited to the local environment therefore their performance as a cash crop is likely to be very good if the market opportunities are sympathetic
Considerations
- Must have appropriate knowledge
- Must have access to resources i.e. indigenous crops and land for harvesting
Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries
- Ensures ecological suitability and therefore sustainability – ecosystem benefits
- Promotes local enterprises for women
- Locally available resource meaning reduced external needs
Information Resources
Paul, A. 2013. Minor and uncultivated fruits of Eastern India. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Minor Fruits and Medicinal Plants for better lives, 20th Dec, 2013, F/Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Sri Lanka, pp 54-67.