FAO Calls to Protect Crops

Rome, Nov 14. -The general director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jacques Diouf, on Monday urged to protect traditioanl crops and other vegetables, due to climate changes and environmental pressure.Diouf asked the countries and governments to develop specific protection policies to empower and preserve the use of vegetables for future generations.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the International Agreement to protect and share phyto-genetic resources on Monday, Diouf said that preservation and sustainable use of these resources is a key "to guarantee that the world can produce enough food to feed its growing population in the future."

"The world´s genetic fortune comprised by more than 1.5 million samples of phyto-genetic material stored collectively and multilaterally by the International Agreement´s signatories is the foundation of more than 80 percent of the vegetable-origin food on the planet," Diouf said.

"Possibly, it is our most important tool to adapt agriculture to climate change in the coming years," he added.

Agricultural producers and geneticists from 21 developing countries are benefitting from the International Agreement funds.

These funds are supporting the works for ajusting key crops to the conditions imposed by climate changes, plant diseases and other factors. (Prensa Latina)