Food Crop and Seed Project in Zambia. Integration of biodiversity aspects in development cooperation -a case study

Description:
The report notes that although Sida did not explicitly mainstream biodiversity in the Zambian FCSP, the issue of biodiversity and related agro-biodiversity meets general interest, particularly conservation of genetic resources. It was further found that the project to some extent contributed to increased genetic diversity (mostly through the importation of exotic material), and subsequently, to increased food security at household level. However, issues such as intellectual property rights in relation to varieties and plants, and biosafety (especially for Genetically Modified Organisms) were not adequately addressed. Other major issues are the insufficient capacity for effective maintenance breeding in Zambia, and the lack of financial resources for research (public or private) in crops with a low marketing potential. Recommendations from the study include: a) develop monitoring of agrobiodiversity aspects, b) apply a gender perspective (considering the key role of women as breeders), c) support development of the legal framework in Zambia with focus on Access and Benefit sharing (legal rights) and biosafety, and d) strengthen in-situ conservation and capacity for community biodiversity management.