case study: conservation of two bahamian hot pepper varieties presented at latin american and...
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Case Study: Conservation of two Bahamian hot pepper varieties
Presented atLATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN REGIONAL
WORKSHOP ON SUSTAINABLE USE
13-16 September 2005, Buenos Aires
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The Bahamas…
Total land mass, about 5400 sq miles
– 700 islands and cays– Low lying lands, no rivers– No rivers
distributed over 100,000 sq. miles of the Atlantic Ocean
population approx. 300,000– 68% New Providence– 16% Grand Bahama
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Tourism – 60 % GDP
Financial Sector– 8 % GDP
Agriculture & Manufacturing
– 10 % GDP
Other– 22 %
The Bahamian Economy
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Food Supplies
– IMPORT based economy
– 80% + retail food supply from the US
– Local Agriculture: Citrus fruits Bananas Vegetables Pork Poultry Root crops
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The Current Status : Seed Imports
Mainly from USA, also from UK, New Zealand;
Forage, lawn grasses, ornamentals, vegetables, fruits
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Hot Pepper Seed Production
Efforts are being made to improve the production and maintenance of the Bahamian Goat and Finger peppers.
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Insect Proof Structures
Isolation cages for multiplication of true to type plants
Nursery structure:– Note the double entrance
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Quality Declared Goat Pepper Seeds
Improved seeds produced and packaged for distribution to local farmers
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WHY TEST ?
Preserve natural resources:Preserve natural resources:– Unique plant & animal species
preservation
Potential to exploit niche marketsPotential to exploit niche markets– Certified non - GMO products
Increase Crop Hardiness & YieldIncrease Crop Hardiness & Yield – Selection of seeds with desired
characteristics
Identification of imported GMOs Identification of imported GMOs – accidental /deliberate imports
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The Current Status : Seed Testing
Gladstone Road LaboratoryGladstone Road Laboratory
– Viability– Storage– Phenotype– Seed improvement
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The Current Status : Seed Testing
Available resourcesAvailable resources :– Seed TechnologistsSeed Technologists– Science OfficersScience Officers– Seed GerminatorSeed Germinator– Moisture analysisMoisture analysis
SEED WEIGHING USING A PRECISION SCALE
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The Bahamas & Convention on Biological Diversity
became a signatory on Sept.2nd 1993
Convened stakeholder workshops to develop a National Biosafety Framework (NBF)
Participating in ongoing capacity building exercises
Draft NBF legislation prepared (not yet tabled)
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Where do we go from here?
Regulatory oversight Legislation Public Education Communication Capacity Building
– Testing facilities– Training
Address questions and concerns
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Presented by Presented by
Dr. Kenneth Richardson Dr. Kenneth Richardson
Senior Agricultural OfficerSenior Agricultural Officer
The Ministry of Agriculture & FisheriesThe Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries
The BahamasThe Bahamas
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Resources…
www.fao.org/biotech/stat/asp http://gmo-crl.jrc.it/ http://www.gmabrands.com www.usda.gov www.ngfa.org www.portfolio21.com www.best.bs www.grains.org
www.fpc.state.gov www.fas.usda.gov http://europa.edu.int www.ams.usda.gov www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook http://schoolsforchiapas.org/Maya_seeds/
Purpose.htm