News

Agrobiodiversity in mountain areas

23.07.2018
The Mountain Partnership Secretariat, in collaboration with the Sapienza University of Rome, Bioversity International and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has just launched the Summer School titled “Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate - Sustainable production, fragile ecosystems, and resilience to global changes. It will be held at the Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University, in Rome, Italy from 24 September to 05 October 2018. The course will focus on the importance of biodiversity in agriculture, with particular attention to its role in enhancing resilience and adaptability of cropping and farming systems to climate change. The aim is to equip participants with the necessary tools, knowledge and understanding to enhance productivity and improve marketing strategies in sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. Resilient environments, sustainable production practices and the protection of agrobiodiversity can serve as avenues to improve dietary diversity and quality and, in turn, generate income for sustainable small holder farmers all while contributing to the restoration and preservation of ecosystem. This is particularly relevant to mountain areas. Mountain farmers are preserving many of the rarest varieties of cultivars in functioning biodiverse agro-ecosystems as climate change pressures are influencing mountain communities to modify their traditional approaches to agriculture. The training will include joint lectures by speakers from various national and international organizations and two field trips to nearby farms, which will provide hands-on experience on relevant practices. The Mountain Partnership will also be offering scholarships to six candidates from developing countries, funded by the Italian development Cooperation. The scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria: At least BA/BSc or MSc degree in agriculture, agronomy, forestry, botany, geography, natural resource management, environmental science, rural development, socio-economic sciences or related fields; Good knowledge of English; Working experience with national or local institutions, farmers’ organizations, civil society organizations or research institutions that have a specific interest/involvement in the improvement, strengthening and valorization of value chains derived from local agrobiodiversity in mountain areas is desirable; Previous involvement in the Mountain Partnership Products initiative is desirable. How to apply? Send the following documents to [email protected], cc. [email protected], by 29 July 2018: Application form; Photocopy of a valid identity document, duly signed and legible; Self-certification declaring the obtained university degree; Photocopy of "Declaration of Value" from an Italian consulate; Signed declaration of consent for processing personal data; Short CV; Motivation letter. Apply and send the following documents to [email protected], cc. [email protected], by 29 July 2018: Read more Photo by FAO/Esteban Tapella
Home > mountain-partnership > News