Institute of Biodiversity Conservation

In recognition of the importance of conserving plant genetic resources, and in order to avert the danger of genetic erosion, the former Plant Genetic Resources Centre/Ethiopia (PGRC/E)- now the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC)- was established in 1976. So far about 60000 accessions are conserved ex-situ for field crops, of which 69 percent are cereals.

Montreal, 15 October 2008 – This past June, at the Rome Food Security Summit, countries announced increased commitment to the fight against hunger including through enhanced agricultural development. This commitment comes at a time when it is estimated that more than 850 million people are undernourished and when high food prices are putting the hungry at greater risk and pushing many more over the brink into poverty. During the second half of the 20th century, the global food system was able to respond to the doubling of the world population by more than doubling food production whilst also contributing significantly to reducing poverty. But this came at a cost. And one of the least discussed costs is the alarming loss of agricultural biodiversity and the increasing reliance of agriculture on a dangerously narrow base of biodiversity.

Spirulina is thought to have been a food source for the Aztecs in 16th century Mexico, as it’s harvesting from Lake Texcoco and sale as cakes is described by one of Cortés’ soldiers. The Aztecs called it Tecuitlatl, which means the stone’s excrement. Spirulina was found in abundance at the lake by French researchers trait within the 1960s, but there is no reference to its use there as a daily food source after the 16th century. The first large-scale Spirulina production plant was established in the early 1970s and drew attention worldwide.