Cymraeg Reviving agrobiodiversity on farms for the survival of the UK food system
What’s the issue?
After almost a century of industrialised agriculture, we’ve found ourselves in a precarious position. We’ve ended up with a food and farming system based on just a few varieties of specialised crops and animals; but with this specialisation comes great risk.
In the face of changing climates, unpredictable extreme weather events and increased risk of disease outbreaks, what we need is diversity in our food and farming system.
What is ‘agrobiodiversity’?
Agrobiodiversity is the umbrella term given to all aspects of biodiversity that relate to agriculture and food.
It includes the genetic resources of: crops (e.g. vegetable, fruit and grain varieties) pastures and meadows, trees, wild plants and flowers, medicinal plants and herbs, domesticated animals (e.g. cows, pigs and sheep), wild animals (e.g. insects, birds and small mammals), fish and aquatic organisms, microbes and fungi.
But agrobiodiversity is more than about just genetic resources, it’s also about how they interact with the environment, and the systems and practices used by farmers and land workers to manage them.
Images by Joya Berrow
What are we doing?
We’re working to raise awareness about agrobiodiversity, what it means, what it looks like practice and why it’s so fundamental to agroecology and the survival of our food system.
We’re working with policymakers to advocate for agrobiodiversity and to call for specific support packages which will enable farmers, growers and landworkers to revive diversity on their farms; from keeping native breed livestock, to growing diverse grain varieties and having the ability to save and share open-pollinated seed.
To launch the campaign we worked with The Right to Roam Films to produce a series of short videos which explore what agrobiodiversity means to different farmers, growers and landworkers. You can watch the videos by clicking on the below links:
Images by Joya Berrow
Become an Agrobiodiversity Champion!
Do you farm in a way which promotes agrobiodiversity? Maybe you keep a herd of native breed sheep, grow heritage vegetables, or are cultivating a landrace crop?
Get involved in the campaign by becoming an Agrobiodiversity Champion!
We’re looking to create a network of Agrobiodiversity Champions who can be advocates for agrobiodiversity by hosting farm tours, speaking to press and media, and sharing their stories and case studies of how agrobiodiversity is the key to creating thriving, resilient food and farming systems.
If you are interested in becoming an Agrobiodiversity Champion please email yali.bantonheath@landworkersalliance.org.uk for more information.
