Quality Declared Planting Material
Quality Declared Planting Material

Author: Juan Fajardo

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13:

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This publication includes a set of protocols and standards for the production of quality planting material of the most important vegetatively reproduced crops, namely: banana, plantain and other Musaceae, cassava, cocoyam, garlic, hausa potato, konjac, mashua, oca, potato, sweet potato, taro, ulluco and yam. Prepared by FAO, in collaboration with the International Potato Centre and a team of international experts, it follows the principles and approach of FAO's Quality Declared Seed System. Vegetatively propagated crop species contribute significantly to the agriculture and food production sectors of many developing countries and regions and to their food security. The current availability and dissemination of advanced reproduction technologies, in particular for micropropagation, have increased the scope for improvement and development of disease-free planting materials for these crops. However, in spite of their potential, they have received little attention in formal seed quality regulatory systems. Thus, these protocols and standards were developed to serve as practical and useful tools for seed producers and technicians at the community level as well as for national seed services and the agricultural research community in developing countries. Improved quality of planting materials will contribute significantly to improved agricultural production and productivity and to global food security. Book jacket.

Quality Declared Seed System
Quality Declared Seed System

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 9789251055106

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The quality declared seed system, as set out in the FAO Plant Production and Production Paper No. 117 (1993, ISBN 9251032785) has been widely used, particularly by those working in the field of emergency seed supply and as a source of practical information on seed standards for a range of crop species. The system provided an alternative for seed quality assurance, which was less demanding than full seed quality control systems. This publication sets out a revised version, prepared by an expert consultation, which offers a more explicit recognition of the role of national policies and the impact of some recent international obligations on seed provision and a clearer explanation on how quality declared seeds can accommodate local varieties. The list of crops now includes 92 species, of which 21 include open pollinated and hybrids and one includes also a synthetic variety. In making this update, FAO sought to improve seed supplies to farmers and thus to contribute to food security.

Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2021-09-20

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 9251342385

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This book will convince the reader to care about fruit and vegetables and to see that the small-scale production of these crops is fundamental to achieving sustainable development goals. In five chapters, the reader will learn about the challenges and rewards for producers, sellers, and consumers. Chapter 1: a working definition for fruit and vegetables, making the case for supporting small-scale farmers and value chains. Chapter 2: options for farm management to ensure that production is sustainable including genetic resources, seed systems, management of water, soil, nutrients, and control of pests and diseases. Chapter 3: options to integrate small-scale commercial fruit and vegetable farmers into socially inclusive value chains, including innovative post-harvest handling services, market linkages, and reducing food loss and waste. Chapter 4: options for practitioners and policymakers at different governmental, institutional and social levels to promote the sustainable production and consumption of safe, nutritious, and affordable fruit and vegetables. Chapter 5: key interventions and innovations to facilitate the sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in low- and middle-income countries across the world. This publication takes readers on a journey introducing them to a diverse array of fruit and vegetables through colorfully illustrated studies from around the world. It justifies the importance of these crops and it encourages readers to take an active role both in promoting fruit and vegetable production and in encouraging more people to eat them.

The Potato Crop
The Potato Crop

Author: Hugo Campos

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-12-03

Total Pages: 524

ISBN-13: 3030286835

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This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book provides a fresh, updated and science-based perspective on the current status and prospects of the diverse array of topics related to the potato, and was written by distinguished scientists with hands-on global experience in research aspects related to potato. The potato is the third most important global food crop in terms of consumption. Being the only vegetatively propagated species among the world’s main five staple crops creates both issues and opportunities for the potato: on the one hand, this constrains the speed of its geographic expansion and its options for international commercialization and distribution when compared with commodity crops such as maize, wheat or rice. On the other, it provides an effective insulation against speculation and unforeseen spikes in commodity prices, since the potato does not represent a good traded on global markets. These two factors highlight the underappreciated and underrated role of the potato as a dependable nutrition security crop, one that can mitigate turmoil in world food supply and demand and political instability in some developing countries. Increasingly, the global role of the potato has expanded from a profitable crop in developing countries to a crop providing income and nutrition security in developing ones. This book will appeal to academics and students of crop sciences, but also policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the potato and its contribution to humankind’s food security.

Crop Genetic Diversity in the Field and on the Farm
Crop Genetic Diversity in the Field and on the Farm

Author: Devra Ivy Jarvis

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2016-01-01

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 0300161123

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Based on twenty years of global research, this is the first comprehensive reference on crop genetic diversity as it is maintained on farmland around the world. Showcasing the findings of seven experts representing the field of ecology, crop breeding, genetics, anthropology, economics, and policy, this invaluable resource places farmer-managed crop biodiversity squarely in the center of the science needed to feed the world and restore health to our productive landscapes. It will prove to be an essential tool in the training of agricultural and environmental scientists seeking the solutions necessary to ensure healthy, resilient ecosystems for future generations.--

Traditional Medicines in Drug Discovery and Development
Traditional Medicines in Drug Discovery and Development

Author: Varughese George

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2024-07-18

Total Pages: 693

ISBN-13: 1036403467

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This comprehensive book, comprising 20 chapters contributed by respected academics in their respective fields, highlights the immense contribution of traditional medicine to the discovery and development of modern drugs. Each chapter provides in-depth details, stimulating experts to further explore the flora used in traditional medicines and inspiring younger investigators to delve into the mysterious world of secondary metabolites in their quest for novel molecules. This book is of immense value to scientists, academicians, researchers, and students alike, making it a valuable addition to personal collections and libraries.

Seeds Toolkit - Module 3
Seeds Toolkit - Module 3

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2018-10-18

Total Pages: 126

ISBN-13: 9251309515

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This toolkit – made available in English, French and Spanish – will be promoted as practical guidance to assist in the implementation of the national seed strategies. It will provide a number of practical capacity building tools for essential stages of the seed value chain and targeted primarily at seed sector practitioners who will participate in special training workshops to acquire pertinent technical knowledge and will be expected in return to create a multiplier effect through further follow-up FFS trainings down to the level of seed traders and farmers. In doing so, the toolkit will be used as guidance for conducting country-led workshops and other training activities aimed at strengthening quality seed delivery systems and seed regulatory mechanisms in selected countries. The development of capacity in the production of high quality seeds, the seed replacement rates, true seed cost and realistic seed pricing mechanisms as well as the role of different stakeholders are of critical importance in the process of the formulation of national seed policies, which is one of the core areas of FAO’s delivery at the national level.

Save and Grow
Save and Grow

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2018-06-22

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 9251068712

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The book offers a rich toolkit of relevant, adoptable ecosystem-based practices that can help the world's 500 million smallholder farm families achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency while enhancing natural capital.