Genes in the Field provides an interdisciplinary foundation for an important new conservation program: maintaining biological resources of crop plants within the systems where they have evolved. The book offers a truly global vision of the on-farm conservation movement and, like no other before it, provides a comprehensive review of the issues and challenges of on-farm conservation of genetic resources. The book's chapters are written by a collection of outstanding scholars and academics from a variety of disciplines; they include biologists, agronomists, anthropologists, economists, lawyers and agricultural development specialists. Genes in the Field is truly global in scope and multidisciplinary in character. It will appeal to a large, varied and international audience. Its most general appeal will be to professionals in the fields of conservation and agricultural development, particularly those who are involved in planning or implementing conservation programs. For course work, the book will be appropriate for graduate programs in agricultural development and conservation.

This paper argues that a comprehensive Multilateral System for plant genetic resouce for food and agriculture is required which ensures the conservation of plant genetic resources and their utilization form human benefit at a global level. Such a system would incorporate agreements on access to plant genetic resources which ensured their availability; mechanisms for the sharing of benefits derived from plant genetic resources; conservation networks and information systems, and research and plant breeding capacity which meets the needs of farmers worldwide. Such a system should be developed with the full participation of all groups involved in teh management genetic resources.