Research and development in agricultural biodiversity

• The main aim of enhancing agricultural biodiversity is to improve people’s well-being. Major output expected include:

a) Establishing a strong evidence base to show how agricultural biodiversity provides nutrition and related health benefits.

b) Identifying new biodiversity-based income options for rural and urban people.

Conservation and enhancement of agricultural biodiversity

• Compost from crop residues, tree litter, and other plant/organic residues.
• Intercropping and covering crops, particularly legumes, add nutrients, fix nitrogen, and pump nutrients to the soil surface.
• Use of mulch and green manures.
• Integration of earthworms or other beneficial organisms and biota into the soil to enhance fertility, organic matter, and nutrient recycling.
• Elimination or reduction of agrochemicals- especially toxic nematicides-that destroy diverse soil biota, organic material, and valuable soil organisms.