Safeguarding our future : opportunities and challenges for conservation of plant genetic resources for agriculture in Jordan

Abstract

Drawing on a series of qualitative interviews conducted in Madaba and the Northern region of Jordan, this paper examines how Participatory Plant Breeding influences Jordanian farmers‟ perceptions and behaviour related to participation in conservation efforts of plant genetic resources for agriculture, with a specific focus on two crops originating in the region; wheat and barley. In addition there is a discussion related to the interactions between Government and farmers, and what it would take to make agricultural biodiversity conservation efforts in Jordan more effective and sustainable. Farmers clearly see an increase in their level of knowledge from participating in the Participatory Plant Breeding Program; however it does not necessarily translate into a more permanent behaviour change with regards to conservation of agricultural biodiversity. There are severe challenges of genetic vulnerability and erosion in Jordan among others as a result of rapid urbanization. For this reason, this paper argues for a need to mainstream conservation of agricultural biodiversity in all national and local conservation and agricultural policies, and presents the need for local grassroots movements supported by the national level to make conservation sustainable of the vast reservoir of germplasm available in Jordan.