Dietary biodiversity and crop-fish systems

Barbara Burlingame, ESNAMatthias Halwart, FIRI

Dietary biodiversity and crop-fish systems

Barbara Burlingame, ESNAMatthias Halwart, FIRI

Issues• Dietary energy supply can be satisfied

without diversity• Micronutrient supply (including essential

fatty acids and amino acids) cannot• Wild and domesticated species and

intraspecies biodiversity play key roles in global food security

• Different species or varieties have significantly different nutrient contents

Traditional use and availability of aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems

Cambodia China LaosFish 70 52 27Crustaceans 6 2 5Molluscs 1 4 8Amphibians 2 4 10Insects 2 3 16Reptiles 8 - 7Aquatic Plants 13 19 20Total 102 84 93

Source: Balzer, Balzer, Pon, 2002; Luo, in press; Xaypladeth, in press

Fish nutrients (per 100 g fresh wt)

Low High RDI, adult (per day)

Protein (g) 8 25

Fat (g) < 1 >25

Saturated f.a. (g) <0.5 >5

PUFA (g) < 0.5 >12

Calcium (mg) 20 200 1,000

Iron (mg) <0.5 >10 9-20

Thiamin (mg) <0.01 >0.4 1.1

Biodiversity and Nutrient Content - variations in essential fatty acid

content of selected aquatic species:Species – 100g Saturated

Fats (g)Monounsaturated Fats (g)

Polyunsaturated Fats (g)

Cod - steamed, flesh only 0.1 0.4 0.4Haddock - steamed, flesh only 0.1 0.1 0.2Whiting - steamed, flesh only 0.1 0.3 0.2Herring - grilled, flesh and skin 2.8 4.7 2.3Mackerel - grilled, flesh and skin

3.5 8.5 3.5

Trout (Rainbow) - grilled flesh 1.1 2.0 1.7Salmon - smoked 0.8 1.8 1.3Salmon - steamed, flesh only 2.0 4.7 3.3Salmon (Pink) - tinned in brine 1.3 2.4 1.9Tuna - tinned in brine 0.2 0.1 0.2Mussel 0.5 0.4 1.0

Rice Cultivar Differences in Nutrient Content

Source: Kennedy, G.; Burlingame, B. (2003). Analysis of food composition data on rice from a plant genetic resources perspective. Food Chemistry 80:589-596.

International Rice Commission

The Commission recommended that:• Existing biodiversity of rice varieties and their

nutritional composition need to be explored before engaging in transgenics.

• Nutrient content needs to be among the criteria in cultivar promotion.

• Cultivar-specific nutrient analysis and data dissemination should be systematically undertaken.

• Biodiversity questions and/or prompts should be included in food consumption surveys

• Acquiring nutrient data and intake data for varieties is essential in order to understand the impact of biodiversity on food security

FAO (2002). Report of the International Rice Commission20th Session (23-26 July 2002, Bangkok). FAO,

Rome.

International Rice Commission

The Commission recommended that:• Member countries should promote the

sustainable development of aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems and policy decisions and management measures should enhance the living aquatic resource base.

• In areas where wild fish are depleted, rice-fish farming should be considered as a means of enhancing food security and securing sustainable rural development.

• Attention should be given to the nutritional contribution of aquatic organisms in the diet of rural people who produce or depend on rice.

FAO (2002). Report of the International Rice Commission20th Session (23-26 July 2002, Bangkok). FAO,

Rome.

Recommendations for Action

IRC recommendations serve as model – Locally– Nationally– Regionally– Internationally (CGRFA)

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