The Ecological movement “Okvir života” and the Toplica Academy of Applied Studies (TAAS) organized the workshop “Agrobiodiversity and the right to seeds” on September 22 in Prokuplje.
Dr. Slađana Savić presented the importance of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, the current state, the perspectives of preserving this important resource, as well as a review of traditional agricultural practices.
Dr. Ivana Radović spoke about the initiative to form a network for plant genetic resources, the mechanism of inclusion in the work of the network, upcoming activities and the goal of establishing the network.
Veroslava Kocić presented the work on the preservation of old varieties of fruit and forest fruit trees, realized as part of the Toplica Academy of Applied Studies, as an example of good research practice.
Dr. Aleksandar Radović presented an overview of the practical aspects of preserving old fruit varieties – the path from an old tree to a young seedling.
– We are very glad that we started the establishment of the network in the Toplica district. This region is extremely rich in old varieties and represents a promising area for the development of sustainable agriculture. It also abounds with valuable agricultural producers, some of whom we met at this meeting. We express our great gratitude to the Toplica Academy of Applied Studies, first of all to the president of the Toplica Academy of Applied Studies Dr. Zvonko Zlatanović, as well as to the associate Veroslava Kocić, for their exceptional hospitality and excellent organization. We are looking forward to future cooperation with people from this region, said Dr. Ivana Radović, author of the project and representative of “Okvira života”.
The gathering was welcomed by the representatives of the host, the Toplica Academy of Applied Studies, who gave a presentation of the institution and expressed their support for the development of a network for plant genetic resources.
Source of the photo – Toplica Academy of Applied Studies
The workshop gathered a diverse audience: producers from the Toplica district, researchers, hobbyists, students of secondary agricultural schools, as well as representatives of institutions.
A one-hour lively discussion was held after all presentations. They talked about the quality and value of old varieties, ways of preserving them and encouraging producers to continue growing and preserving traditional seeds, the hosts pointed out.
The workshop is part of a project dedicated to strengthening the capacity of local communities to preserve biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The project is supported by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (FAO REU), under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Author of the text: D.M.M.
Source: ПРВИ ПРВИ НА СКАЛИ
