The homogenization of human culture seems to lead to a global demand for the same products and services, the same food prepared in the same ways, and the same food grown in fields cultivated in the same way. Thus, it is much possible that agricultural homogenization will lead to a narrowing diversity in genes, varieties, and ecosystems. One basic element of biodiversity in the field of agriculture are the available varieties and their properties, the other is the choice of farmers. The focus is on where the biological resources are molded, namely, on plant breeding work. In the praxis of breeding work, the socialization of a cultivated variety will be shaped in the context of surrounding society, and finally it has effect on biodiversity in agricultural production.
Farmers choose the varieties for cultivation among the bred varieties available.
We will search for Finnish features in the global tendency of narrowing the biodiversity, whow national plant breeding in maintaining biodiversity. It is assumed that, at least to some extent, the existence and activities of the national plant breeding institutes maintain agricultural biodiversity in a global context, although plant breeding work itself seems, in practice, to narrow the diversity of nature. The national plant breeding works in a specific climatic and social context in order to produce useful results, i.e. plant varieties for natural conditions, and for the needs of society. Plant breeding activity includes both the elements of nature and society. Plant breeders work with nature and society and have to transform these both to be successful in their work.