An Information System for Mexican Agrobiodiversity

Poster presented at the 2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress

An Information System for Mexican Agrobiodiversity: Open Data and Tools to Support Agrobiodiversity Conservation.

Agrobiodiversity conservation demands multi-sectoral collaboration supported by evidence. In this session, we will share the process of developing an Agrobiodiversity Information System (SIAgroBD) at the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), a governmental agency that coordinates data collection and analysis in support of the sustainable management of natural resources in Mexico. SIAgroBD aims to generate knowledge that enables the conservation of traditional agriculture and native crops of global importance. It is a comprehensive project at the national level that is part of the Mexican Agrobiodiversity GEF project. Research teams from different universities are collecting new data for SIAgroBD on native crops and their wild relatives in collaboration with local communities. Additionally, we are integrating agronomic data, qualitative assessments of local use of agrobiodiversity, and nutritional data from partner institutions. These data recognize the ecological, human and cultural dimensions of agroecosystems, in contrast with the current trends in big data for agriculture, which focus on conventional breeding and production. The need for recognizing and conserving the diversity of native crops and traditional practices drives the design and development of SIAgroBD. Our information system is intended for a wide audience, from academic researchers to policymakers and the general public. As part of developing SIAgroBD, we are promoting the adoption of digital field data collection tools, vocabulary standards, and open data training. We expect that the lessons we have learned in this project are valuable for practitioners and decision makers seeking examples of knowledge infrastructures centered on agrobiodiversity.