Although crop genetic resources have been recognized as valuable, there has
been little progress in specifying a financial value. Crop genetic resources are
made up of two primary components, crop gene pools and agro-ecosystems,
with six different subcomponents within these. Markets for determining value
of crop genetic resources are generally nonexistent or inadequate, a situation
that is compounded by their historic status as public goods. Both providers of
crop genetic resources and conservation underwriters now look for more exact
appraisals of the value, largely in response to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. Various methods of assessing value are reviewed. Prospective equity
for conservation should replace equity for previous transfers. Market approaches using intellectual property and contracting are unsuitable for crop
genetic resources, but nonmarket methods are available. Different approaches
are required for different types of crop genetic resources and for estimates of
their private value to farmers and their social value.
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