The fairs of agrobiodiversity in the context of participatory plant breeding-Local Agricultural Innovation Program in Cuba. Meaning and impact

Abstract

Participatory Plant Breeding Project (FP) first was developed into the Program of Local Agricultural Innovation (PIAL). Later, it was characterized for possessing a common and central element the constant, real and active participation of the peasantry in strengthening agricultural innovation, promoting free access to their agrobiodiversity with a concept of sustainable agricultural production, based on agroecological principles. The FP-PIAL potential as an alternative capable of stimulating the diversification of production, the better management of the agricultural biodiversity and the increase of the yields have been demonstrated from the evidences provided in the last years. At the end of 2011, the PIAL has supported the holding of more than 680 fairs. It can be said that through Agrobiodiversity Fairs, the creation of a farmers’ wide solidary network for the environmental, social and economic benefit of the productive units has been facilitated. This affected strongly in the availability and autonomy of seeds and in the safety and food sovereignty at the Community level. According to existing records, more than 19 500 people including producers and technicians have attended, evaluated and contributed with the dissemination of the diversity of species and varieties exposed in the fairs celebrated to 45 municipalities of ten provinces. Considering the number of participants in the markets and taking into account that the average of varieties selected per participant was five, it can be concluded that 97,500 seed samples of approximately 2 000 accessions.