One of the world’s greatest challenges is to secure access for all to adequate supplies of food that are healthy, safe and high quality, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable manner. To make the necessary improvements, the sustainable management of natural capital must be at the forefront of food production systems’ major goals. Resilient environments, sustainable production practices and the protection of agrobiodiversity can serve as avenues toward improving dietary diversity and quality and, in turn, generating income for sustainable smallholder farmers, while aiding in the restoration and conservation of ecosystems.

The reduced variety of crops on which commercial farming is based creates a reduced capacity for agriculture to adapt to environmental changes and stresses. The loss or lack of adaptive capacity in modern, commercial agriculture is a cause for concern in relation to the expected impacts of climate change. This is particularly relevant to mountain areas. Mountain farmers are preserving many rare varieties of cultivars in functioning biodiverse agro-ecosystems, but the harshness of the environment and the effects of climate change increasingly pressure mountain communities to modify their traditional approaches to agriculture.

Taking into account agrobiodiversity in food systems means bringing together the sectors of science, agriculture and economy to propose new food production strategies that can be implemented in a changing environment, promoting diversified crops and practices as a resource and increased variety as a strength in agro-ecosystems. In addition to agricultural and genetic aspects, the agrobiodiversity discussion focuses on economic and social issues, such as identifying markets for biological products, developing adequate value chains and marketing strategies, and preserving local crops.

It is essential to enable community-driven food systems that provide the best possible outcomes for producers and consumers. In this model, producers and consumers are connected through short, transparent, direct value chains. Producers are incentivized to develop or conserve quality-based production models that are then rewarded with a price premium by consumers. Conversely, consumers are able to access culturally appropriate, safe, nutritious food at affordable prices.

Objectives and participants:

The course will focus on the importance of biodiversity in agriculture, with particular focus on biodiversity’s role in enhancing cropping and farming systems’ resilience and adaptability to climate change.

The course lectures will illustrate principles and practices for gathering agrobiodiversity data through either participatory diagnostic or empirical approaches, and for their utilization to develop management approaches that improve resilience and adaptability.

The course will also analyse the economic value of agrobiodiversity in food systems as an incentive for conservation. It will investigate the most critical management aspects along the agricultural value chain, ranging from production to marketing and consumption.

A set of tools and methodologies for improving market access of neglected and underutilized foods and the role of gastronomic heritage as a driver for rural development will also be presented in the course.

The aim of the course is to equip participants with the necessary tools, knowledge and understanding to enhance productivity and improve marketing strategies in sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

The training will include lectures by speakers from various national and international organizations.

Upon the completion of the training (75 percent attendance of the course is required), the students will be awarded six CFU/ECTS credits (Crediti Formativi Universitari/European Credit Transfer System).

Participants 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 a related field;
• 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; and
• Previous involvement in the Mountain Partnership Products Initiative is desirable.

The application deadline for the 2022 course is 6 September 2022. There will be a limited number of participants. Click here to complete the application form.

Organizers:

The GROW course organizers include Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology; Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); the Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research; and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat. Technical support is provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Sapienza University and the Raffaella Foundation will offer scholarships to a limited number of participants.

Coordinator:

• Giorgio Grussu – FAO - Mountain Partnership Secretariat

Course managers:

• Eric Chavez – FAO - Mountain Partnership Secretariat
• Francesca Buffi – Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
• Paola De Santis – Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Scientific directors:

• Fabio Attorre – Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
• Devra Jarvis – Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research (PAR), Maccarese, Italy

Official course language: English

When: 15-25 November 2022, virtual lessons on Microsoft Teams, four hours per day

Enrolment fee: EUR 200

Application deadline: 6 September 2022 

Scholarships: Scholarships are offered for the course. Participants can apply for a scholarship in the application form.

Location: Live online classes, sessions from 14:00 to 18:00 (Rome time, UTC/GMT + 2 hours). Recorded lectures and additional materials can be accessed by the participants enrolled in the course at any time.

Contact for more information: [email protected]