download
(PDF Document)

Farmer’s management of plant genetic resources is based on local knowledge and skills which are linked to cultural, ecological and sociological factors. Especially in-situ conservation is linked to the farming system in an area in which conservation is practiced. No study has been conducted on indigenous knowledge in relation to in-situ conservation; thus, this study is the first of its kind. The study has extensively covered the indigenous knowledge on in-situ conservation activities in Eritrea.

In-situ conservation is beneficial to farmers under low external inputs like that of Eritrea and it should not be taken as a competitor to ex situ conservation rather as complementary.

The study covered the potential crop growing Zobas of Eritrea focusing mainly on major crops - barley, sorghum, pearl millet, wheat and sesame. Based on this study, results were obtained on crop husbandry and in-situ conservation as well as information regarding the farmer’s seed supply system and the quality of seeds that farmers use for planting from their own stock.