South Asia Network on Plant Genetic Resources (SANPGR)
SANPGR in brief
The South Asia Coordinators’ Network (SAC) was established in 1990. Based on detailed discussions among the Country Coordinators and other participants during the 4th meeting of the Network held at Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Kathmandu, Nepal from 1-3 September 1998, the network was renamed South Asia Network on Plant Genetic Resources (SANPGR). Six countries in the South Asia region, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the members of this Network. The secretariat (interim) is located at IPGRI South Asia Office in New Delhi. The national PGR Coordinators and other specialists from member countries meet every two years to review the progress and to formulate future plans for activities of common interest. The objectives of the SANPGR to improve conservation and use of plant genetic resources through collaborative efforts among the member countries, are as follows:
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To enhance scientific interaction among the NPs and identify priorities for research and training
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To promote exchange of germplasm and sharing of information and technologies
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To foster collaboration for joint research and development activities
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To derive greater benefits for human resource development from the strengths of the partners
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To provide platform for developing common policies and harmonizing regional views on PGR issues and related policy matters.
Activities
Publications
List of members
The priority activities of SANPGR include national programme coordination, strengthening national databases, prioritizing research and training needs, improving public awareness and promoting collaborative activities.
Meetings Organized
Joint Collecting and Evaluation Collaborative activities for collecting, evaluation and characterization were carried
out during 1990-93. NBPGR, India collaborated with BARC, Bangladesh, NARC, Nepal and PGRC,
Sri Lanka for collecting eggplant and okra germplasm and with BARI, Bangladesh for
collecting sesame and maize during 1990-92. Characterization and evaluation of germplasm
of okra, eggplant, sesame were done during 1990-93 and catalogues were published and
distributed to NPs. Human Resource Development
Five meetings of the Network have so far been organized in the following
institutions/countries:
Strengthening National Programmes’ Coordination
National PGR Coordination Committees are now in place in India and Bangladesh and
efforts are in progress to constitute such committees in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Crop
Specific Germplasm Advisory Committees have been set-up in India. A Plant Genetic
Resources Centre has been established at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute,
Bangladesh and a National Agrobiodiversity Centre has been established in Bhutan.
Identification of a nodal person to deal with PGR activities in Maldives is in progress.
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Training courses organized in the South Asia region (1995-2001)
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Furthermore, IPGRI-APO had supported scientists for MSc programme at Birmingham University (candidates from Sri Lanka, India), IPGRI's Vavilov-Frankel Fellowships were awarded to candidates from India and Nepal, and participation by PGR researchers from the region in different regional/global training courses was supported on case by case basis.
Information Management
PGR staff in the national programmes in Nepal and Bangladesh were trained in the use of GMS software in documenting and managing PGR. Production of electronic catalogues using the Data Interchange Protocol (DIP) was carried out with NBPGR, India. Training of NP staff in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh in using the DIPVIEW software is in progress. Development of an Information Network System for South Asia is also in progress. The details of training courses organized are shown in the table below.
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Training courses on Information Management organized in South Asia region (1995-2001)
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Implementation of GPA Priority Activities
In the Fourth SANPGR meeting organized at Kathmandu, Nepal in September 1998, the Network members agreed to expedite follow-up action for implementing GPA activities. The following activities were considered important, which are related to implementation of GPA priority activities (GPA 4, 5, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20).
During the Fifth SANPGR meeting a well-thought out action plan was developed for implementation by all the members. This plan includes the following actions:
1. Joint collecting of priority crops such as finger millet and Lathyrus
2. Joint characterization and evaluation of Lathyrus, blackgram, amaranth (seed and vegetable type)
3. Finalization of MTA and developing regional quarantine facilities
4. Use of NBPGR Genebank for the sub-region (safety duplication of germplasm for other SANPGR member countries) will be considered.
5. Strengthening national capacity and developing regional information network (e.g. DIPVIEW for electronic catalogues and data exchange, use of GIS for PGR activities, Education Kit for Public Awareness (PA), Directory of germplasm for SANPGR, Directory of PGR Workers for SANPGR member countries, Information Network for SANPGR, SANPGR web page)
6. Enhancing the capacity and capability of NPs by developing proposal for funding for Post graduate Course, developing training manuals, identification and offering in-country training courses, Develop and offer regional courses for trainers, Organize regional symposium on PGR issues such as IPR, Sui generis system and others, Joint training proposal for NBPGR/APAARI and survey on short term training needs)
7. Assessing genetic diversity and genetic erosion in conserved germplasm of sesame, okra, eggplant
8. Regional Plant Quarantine Network: Developing modalities for safe exchange of germplasm on a multilateral basis
9. Identify topics for research for students for M.Sc./Ph.D students Identification of focal persons for horticulture and forestry
IBPGR. 1992. Proceedings of the South Asia National Coordinators
Meeting on Plant Genetic Resources, IBPGR Regional Office for South Asia, NBPGR Campus,
Pusa, New Delhi, 21-24 March 1990. 88 p.
Dr M.
Mamtazul HaqueHead, Plant Genetic Resources Center
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
GPO Box 2235, Joydebpur
Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh
Tel: (88)-02- 9332340; Fax: (88)-02-9353395;
Email: pgrcbari@bdonline.com
Dr. Ughyen
TshewangProgramme Coordinator
National Biodiversity Centre
Serbithang, Thimphu
Bhutan
Tel:(975)-2-22129/22230; Fax:(975)-2-351219
Dr B.S. DhillonDirector
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Pusa Campus
New Delhi 110 012
Tel:(91)-11-5783697; Fax: (91)-11-5731495;
Email: director@nbpgr.delhi.nic.in
Mr Mohamd ZuhairDirector (Agricultural & Services)
Ministry of Fisheries & Agriculture
Garzee Building, Amceru Ahmad Marg
Republic of Maldives
Tel: (960)-322625; Fax:(960)-326558;
Email: agri@fishagri.gov.mv
Mr B. K. BaniyaChief, Agriculture Botany Division
National Agricultural Research Institute
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
PO Box 1135, Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel:(977)-1-521614; Fax:(977)-1-523653
Email: iscc_nepal2@wlink.com.np
Dr A. H. M.
JayasooriyaDirector
Plant Genetic Resources Center
PO Box 59, Gannoruwa
Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka
Tel: 00-94-8-388494; Fax: 00-94-8-388490;
Email: pgrc@slt.lk
IPGRI ContactDr Bhag Mal
Coordinator
IPGRI South Asia Office
Pusa Campus
New Delhi 110 012
India
Tel: 00-91-11-25847456; Fax: 00-91-11-25849899; Email: B.Mal@cgiar.org
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