Yoshiaki Nishikawa is Professor of Agricultural Economics and Resource Management in the Faculty of Economics, Ryukoku University, established in 1639 based on the spirit of the true teaching of Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu) in Kyoto, Japan. His research interests cover institutional aspects of crop genetic resources management, participatory agricultural research and inter-civic relations. Michel Pimbert is Professor of Agroecology and Food Politics as well as Director of the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University, UK. He was formerly a member of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.