Rural Competence Network: Traditional crop varieties and livestock breeds

Traditional crop varieties and livestock breeds are important elements of biodiversity. These genetic diversity is vital for adaptation of animal breeds and crops to changing environments and clim...

Traditional crop varieties and livestock breeds are important elements of biodiversity. These genetic diversity is vital for adaptation of animal breeds and crops to changing environments and climate change. The substitution of landraces with high producing varieties has led to a dramatic reduction of these biodiversity. The project will contribute to the conservation by sustainable use through the development of vocational competences of farmers, rural entrepreneurs and regional co-ordinations.

The exchange of experiences and best-practices as well as know-how transfer between European rural competence regions shall lead to the identification of success factors and bottlenecks in order to the development of a common curricullum for vocational qualification and advice in the field "conservation of traditional crop varieties and livestock breeds trough sustainable use". Workshops in the field of regional values, availability/cultivation, regional markets will enable the development work.

- The identification and transfer of good practices that will be collected in a best-practice catalogue. - The compilation of the results into a common curriculum for vocational qualification as final deliverable (integration into associated vocational schools). - Increase of partnership's professional competences and an increase of information and awareness in the partner regions. - Good contribution to the conservation of traditional landraces through sustainable use in European rural regions.