Agrobiodiversity is crucial for sustainable agricultural development and ensuring livelihood for any agrarian economy. Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) are essential resources to meet future food and nutrition security of burgeoning population. Farmers and scientists depend greatly on agricultural biodiversity, which allows them to identify resilient crop varieties that can resist pests and diseases, adjust to changing weather parameters, have higher productivity and nutritive/nutraceutical values. There is a growing national and international consensus on the urgency of slowing the human-induced deterioration of agrobiodiversity with emphasis on conservation. Indeed, within the United Nations Systems different provisions for adoption of the International Undertakings on Plant Genetic Resources at the Food and Agriculture Organization (PGRFA), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the FAO Global Plan of Action (GPA) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) have been agreed upon and being implemented to achieve sustainable agricultural production system and food security. In recognition of the critical role played by biodiversity in enhancing the quality of human life and value of agrarian issues, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 2010 as the “International Year of Biodiversity”. The declaration hopes to usher greater awareness on the value of biodiversity among the stakeholders and enhance support for conservation, sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and create market value. In India, mango is being cultivated under diverse agro-ecologies and is an integral part of cultural heritage for the past over 4000 years. Our country ranks first in area and production of mango with 2.31 million ha and 12.75 MT, respectively. It is also one or more primary centres of origin with a rich biodiversity. Programmed research on different areas of mango production is being undertaken by Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), a premier institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi for over last three decades. The Institute is also a nodal agency in India for collecting, evaluating and conserving mango biodiversity at national level. CISH, Lucknow is the National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) and DUS Test Centre for Mango. The 726 germplasm accessions conserved at CISH is one of the world's richest collections, which is being shared within expanding NARS for utilization in developing superior selections and hybrids for commercial exploitation both for domestic as well as export purposes. The rich genetic wealth of mango however, is threatened because of genetic erosion attributable to a variety of factors including monoculture, habitat loss and urbanization. In this background it has become imperative to critically examine the intrinsic value of mango biodiversity and undertake its valuation in the emerging context of environment issues, ecosystem services and sustainable livelihood options. In order to take stock of the present status of initiatives across the country, particularly biodiversity conservation and utilization of mango, formulate strategies and research priorities, a four day National Seminar with the theme “MANGO BIODIVERSITY FOR LIVELIHOOD” will be organised during 25 to 28 June, 2010 at CISH, Lucknow as a part of International Year of Biodiversity. The four day conference will provide a platform for all the stakeholders associated with mango conservation and improvement programmes including international scientists, administrators, policy makers, officers from development departments and progressive farmers to come together and deliberate on the achievements made so far, identify research and development gaps and formulate strategies for effective conservation and sustainable use of mango biodiversity for improved productivity. The link between mango biodiversity and sustainable development and poverty alleviation would be highlighted in the seminar so as to ensure sustainable livelihood options of mango producing communities across the country. Objectives The main objective of the National Seminar are to:
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