Gender and agrobiodiversity: Introduction to special issue

The author argues that one needs to understand the connections between gender and local knowledge systems in order to the protect agrobiodiversity, which is a fundamental step to achieve food security and environmental conservation. Women's knowledge is passed informally between generations, and it is contextual. Women are also the majority of seed custodians, herbalists, plant breeders, plant gathers, users and plant managers. Home gardens are seen as essential for plant genetic conservation. Women trade in local markets. This and kin networks maintain the market for landrace crops. The gender knowledge gap is increasing over time.