Agrobiodiversity, Status, and Conservation Strategies

Abstract

Agrobiodiversity is a critical subset of biodiversity and significant from the perspective of biodiversity conservation. India is one of the megadiverse countries that holds around 8% of the global biodiversity and has 18% of the world’s livestock. The country also has around 91,000 animal species and 46,000 plant species and which is 7% and 6.5% of the global flora and fauna, respectively. A large portion of the Indian residents is dependent on natural ecosystems for fuel, food, water, and medicine. Agrobiodiversity comprises the world’s diversity of genetic resources (species used for food, fiber, fuel, fodder, pharmaceuticals, varieties, breeds). Moreover, it encompasses the diversity of non-harvested species that support production (pollinators, predators, soil microorganisms, etc.) and the diversity of the agroecosystems. In addition to being essential for environmental stability, agrobiodiversity is also crucial for local economic development and livelihood. The locals’ dependence on agrobiodiversity is even more significant in areas without government-managed forests or protected areas. In India, the gene pool of native species of crops and cattle remained unnoticed for a long time. Around 140 native species of cattle are on the verge of extinction. The National Gene Bank has more than 300,000 samples of indigenous plants which are no longer cultivated. Many crops are grown, but only a few are consumed in large quantities, causing food security and health issues. Agrobiodiversity management has been analyzed in this chapter to provide conservation options, processes, methods, and good practices to help create a shared understanding of agrobiodiversity and conservation. In situ, ex situ, and on-farm conservation practices need priority, and their strengthening and integration with the overall conservation plans of the Central government are required.