CWR (Crop Wild Relatives)

Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are the wild plant species closely related to cultivated crops. They possess natural genetic diversity that has evolved over time, including traits like pest resistance, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. This genetic pool is valuable because it can be used to improve and breed better crop varieties, helping farmers adapt to climate change and other challenges. Preserving CWR ecosystems is vital for food security and maintaining sustainable agriculture, as they serve as a genetic treasure trove for developing resilient crops in the future.