Agrobiodiversity is facing a significant threat as farmers worldwide abandon local varieties in favor of high-yielding cultivars. However, a powerful force is emerging to reverse this trend: women. Zhang Linxiu, director of the UN Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership, highlights the critical role women play in preserving agricultural diversity.
In the picturesque Stone Village of Lijiang, Yunnan Province, Zhang Xiuyun exemplifies this change. A dedicated farmer breeder, Xiuyun received training through the Farmers' Seed Network NGO, empowering her to collect, classify, and breed diverse corn varieties. Today, her efforts have led to the creation of 49 unique corn varieties, some even making their way to the United States, Peru, and India. Her work not only boosts local agriculture but also reinforces the community's resilience against climate challenges.
Women like Xiuyun are at the forefront of maintaining and enhancing agrobiodiversity. By leading teams of women breeders, they ensure that traditional varieties are preserved while introducing more resilient and productive crops. The establishment of community seed banks, managed by women, has been pivotal in safeguarding over 100 local varieties, making these communities better prepared to face environmental shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The importance of empowering women extends beyond agrobiodiversity. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that increasing women's decision-making power in agriculture could boost global GDP by nearly $1 trillion and significantly reduce food insecurity and biodiversity loss. Despite their critical contributions, women often face limited voices in environmental decision-making.
As China chairs the COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, emphasizing the role of women in biodiversity conservation is proving to be a game changer. Empowering women through education, skill training, and access to resources is essential for building resilient social-ecological systems capable of combating climate change and preserving our planet's ecosystems.
Let's support and uplift the women leading the charge in agriculture. Their wisdom and dedication are not only preserving our agricultural heritage but also ensuring a sustainable future for all. 🌍💪🌾
