| 03 Feb 2010 |
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Qatar to set up gene bank for conservation
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DOHA: Stepping up its efforts to conserve the genetic make-up of animals and plants in the country, Qatar will set up a gene bank. As an initial step towards the project, the Biotechnology Center at the Ministry of Environment, recently, held a workshop highlighting the role of gene banks and the mechanism and methods of collection, conservation and classification and study of plant and animal genetic.
"The ministry has worked diligently during the few years towards capacity-building, to help move forward in its role of conservation of genetic resources of the state," said Dr Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Director General for Research and Agricultural Development, Ministry of Environment.
"Qatar has a precious legacy of flora and fauna that must be preserved and handed over to future generations. Conserving the genetic characteristics is a must; if we lose them, then it is forever."
Science has enabled the production of modern and better varieties of plants and animals. Since much attention is being paid to these varieties and their abundance, the traditional varieties can become extinct. "It is the need of the hour to ensure the continued existence of these varieties to ensure our own existence. Also these are the basic materials upon which the local communities and researchers look to improve food production, quality and quantity. Hence the conservation of the basic gene pool is needed," he said.
This can also help in maintaining bio-diversity and eco-system upon which the food production depends. The maintenance of genetic diversity and its sustainable use is more critical today, than ever, to face issues such as climate change. "The more diverse eco-system becomes, the more options becomes available to respond to changing conditions and challenges of the future," he said.
"Eco-diversity plays a strategic role in maintaining economy of a nation. Proper management in a scientific way is a means of preserving the diversity, which implies the need to have development strategies and plans to follow up to prevent extinction," said Professor Issam Saif El Naser, from Egypt National Gene Bank
Livestock production contributes to the livelihoods of an estimated 1000 million people in the developing economies. Most of these are based on traditional farming and rearing methods and species, which may be less productive than the modern breeds though they have distinct qualities. Today cross-bread species represent a growing proportion of the total livestock production. This market-led production can lead to reduced genetic resource base through mutations.
"The idea of establishing these banks for conserving the genes will boost the local food security and help in the global sustainable development, livelihoods of people through sustainable use, and development and conservation of those resources," said El Naser.
The Ministry of Environment had signed an agreement with the Damascus-based Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zone and Dry Lands (ACSAD), late last year, to help Qatar convert huge areas of desert lands into pastoral space and dry lands into arable. As per the agreement, the ACSAD will also support Qatar to develop production of livestock, set up gene banks, re-charging of Qatar's fast depleting groundwater resources and growing the multi-purpose drought-resistant plants. In 2008, Qatar acceded to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, a member of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
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