Farmers, Gene Banks and Crop Breeding:: Economic Analyses of Diversity in Wheat, Maize, and Rice / Edition 1

by Melinda Smale

Overview

Farmers, Gene Banks and Crop Breeding: Economic Analyses of Diversity in Wheat, Maize, and Rice responds to concerns about the loss of valuable genetic resources and crop vulnerability arising from widespread cultivation of genetically uniform varieties. It assembles a series of applied studies focusing on the fundamental economic issues related to genetic diversity in crop species, with special reference to developing countries. By presenting the results of initial economic investigations of diversity in the world's three major food crops (wheat, maize, and rice),this volume furthers the understanding of the economic context in which crop breeders make use of genetic resources and their diversity.
Farmers, Gene Banks and Crop Breeding: Economic Analyses of Diversity in Wheat, Maize, and Rice responds to current concerns about the loss of valuable genetic resources and crop vulnerability arising from the widespread cultivation of genetically uniform varieties. Previous work by economists in the study of biodiversity has been largely theoretical and has emphasized species diversity. In contrast, this book offers concrete steps in methods and conceptual development, providing an annotated catalog of the tools used to measure and value genetic diversity.
The book will appeal to international agricultural research institutions, to international development organizations and NGOs, and to students and professors in departments of agricultural and resource economics who are concerned with the problem of biodiversity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792383680
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	11/30/1998
Series:	Natural Resource Management and Policy , #16
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction. 1. Farmers, Gene Banks, and Crop Breeding: Introduction and Overview; M. Smale, et al. 2. Definition and Measurement of Crop Diversity for Economic Analysis; E.C.H. Meng, et al. Part II: Valuation of Crop Genetic Resources Conserved Ex Situ. 3. The Cost of Conserving Maize and Wheat Genetic Resources Ex Situ; P.G. Pardey, et al. 4. Optimal Collection and Search for Crop Genetic Resources; D. Gollin, et al. 5. Crop Breeding Models and Implications for Valuing Genetic Resources; R.E. Evenson, S. Lemarié. Part III: Conserving Crop Diversity on Farms. 6. Farmers' Perceptions of Varietal Diversity: Implications for On-Farm Conservation of Rice; M.R. Bellon, et al. 7. Agronomic and Economic Competitiveness of Maize Landraces and In Situ Conservation in Mexico; H. Perales, et al. 8. Implications for the Conservation of Wheat Landraces in Turkey from a Household Model of Varietal Choice; E.C.H. Meng, et al. Part IV: Impacts of Crop Diversity on Productivity and Stability. 9. The Contribution of Genetic Resources and Diversity to Wheat Productivity in the Punjab of Pakistan; J. Hartell, et al. 10. Varietal Diversity and Yield Variability in Chinese Rice Production; D. Widawsky, S. Rozelle. 11. The Economic Impact of Diversifying the Genetic Resistance to Leaf Rust Disease in Modern Bread Wheats; M. Smale, R.P. Singh. Part V: Policies and Genetic Resource Utilization. 12. Intellectual Property Rights, Technology Transfer, and Genetic Resource Utilization; D. Zilberman, et al. 13. Enhancing the Diversity of Modern Germplasm through the International Coordination of Research Roles; G. Traxler, P.L. Pingali. 14. Achieving Desirable Levels of Crop Diversity in Farmers' Fields: Factors Affecting the Production and Use of Commercial Seed; M.L. Morris, P.W. Heisey. 15. Collaborative Plant Breeding as an Incentive for On-Farm Conservation of Genetic Resources: Economic Issues from Studies in Mexico; M. Smale, et al. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Addressing concerns about the loss of valuable genetic resources and crop vulnerability arising from widespread cultivation of genetically uniform varieties, this volume assembles a group of studies focusing on the fundamental economic issues related to genetic diversity in crop species, with reference to experiences in a number of developing countries. Topics include the valuation of crop genetic resources conserved ; conserving crop diversity on farms; the impacts of crop diversity on productivity and stability; and policies and genetic resource utilization. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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